First multi-state auto-IRA program will provide retirement plans to more than one million people

NEW YORK, NY, April 28, 2022 - Vestwell, the modern fintech engine powering savings and investment programs for businesses and individual savers across the country, today announced it has won a competitive bid to administer the Colorado Secure Savings Program and New Mexico Work and $ave auto-enroll IRA programs.

Colorado and New Mexico recently created a historic partnership, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for their auto-enroll IRA programs. Through this partnership, an estimated one million private-sector workers in Colorado and 430,000 in New Mexico will now have access to a retirement plan through their employer.

The Colorado Secure Savings Program and New Mexico Work and $ave programs will also provide increased accessibility for part-time, self-employed, and seasonal workers. The MoC allows individuals that live near the border and work in both states the ability to hold their retirement savings across state borders. Business owners will be able to sign up for these programs at no cost to the employer.

“We are proud to power the first-ever, multi-state auto-IRA program in the country,” said Aaron Schumm, Founder and CEO of Vestwell. “Colorado and New Mexico are pioneering the next phase in retirement savings through cross-state partnerships, bringing dignified savings solutions their workforce deserves.”

Vestwell, in partnership with BNY Mellon, will serve as the Program Administrator, providing recordkeeping, custodial, and administrative services to employers and employees in Colorado and New Mexico. Vestwell now administers three of the five live state-facilitated retirement savings programs: Oregon, Maryland, and Connecticut. Across all its business, Vestwell currently powers nearly 25,000 businesses, a million savers, and $25 billion in assets in all 50 states.

“We are thrilled to be working with Vestwell, who has extensive experience expanding retirement savings through innovative solutions,” said Dave Young, Colorado State Treasurer. “This is a significant step towards providing Colorado employers and workers with the opportunity to save for a dignified and sustainable retirement.”

“Vestwell has a proven track record of providing high-quality retirement solutions to state facilitated programs, said Hunter Railey, Director, Colorado Secure Savings Program. “As Colorado prepares to implement the Secure Savings Program, employers and workers will have some of the best services available to support their long-term financial security.”

Colorado Secure Savings Program is expected to impact more than 40% of the state’s workforce. Nearly one million employees will now have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.  Colorado businesses with five or more employees that have been in business for over two years, will be required to offer a workplace retirement plan, either through Colorado Secure Savings Program or through a traditional 401(k) plan. The pilot program is expected to begin in October 2022 and enrollment will begin in 2023.

“New Mexico appreciates the opportunity to work in such a collaborative environment to bring a high-quality retirement option to our employers and workers,” said Tim Eichenberg, New Mexico State Treasurer. “The expertise and experience Vestwell brings is a huge asset to our work to expand retirement savings.”

New Mexico Work and $ave will support 62% of New Mexico private-sector employees who do not have a retirement plan through their employer. This will be a hybrid program consisting of a voluntary IRA and web marketplace. The marketplace options will be determined by the state Board. All companies, regardless of size, with their primary place of business located in New Mexico will be eligible to participate. The New Mexico Work and $ave program is expected to launch on July 1, 2024.

Vestwell is the only fintech company that partners with state governments to offer a personalized savings experience, on a state-of-the-art platform, spanning all savings vehicle verticals. Its technology sets the firm apart with smart learning, modern APIs, and a completely digital interface while reducing the administrative burden for states and businesses alike.

“State programs have turned to Vestwell for our award-winning team, technology, and industry-leading partners,” said Douglas Magnolia, President of Vestwell. “We have the unique understanding of how to effectively support state partners run successful programs due to our extensive experience working with states across the country on 529 College Savings, 529A ABLE (“ABLE”), and Secure Choice/Auto-IRA state-sponsored savings programs.”

States and their private-sector partners continue to show that these programs are easy for employers and simple for savers. Closing the retirement savings gap requires innovation from the public and private sectors, and state programs have shown they are a key part of the overall solution. 

About Vestwell

Vestwell is the modern fintech engine powering savings and investment programs for businesses and individual savers across the country. We’re helping to close the savings gap by offering a flexible, cost-effective, modern solution to save for the critical aspects of life - retirement, education, and healthcare. Vestwell currently powers nearly 25,000 businesses, more than a million savers, and $25 billion in assets in all 50 states. To learn more visit vestwell.com.