Learning Center
A complimentary, integrated library of financial wellness resources and interactive learning modules on foundational topics, from budgeting to saving for a home to planning for milestones.
Emergency Savings
Help employees handle today’s surprises and build tomorrow’s security by adding Vestwell’s emergency savings account (ESA) to your benefits package.
A modern, intuitive, and impactful financial wellness benefit.
Competitive interest rates¹, flexible employer contribution options, and penalty-free access to ESA funds equip you to offer a powerful financial wellness benefit for your workforce.
Empower employees with fast, flexible access to funds
Employees get as fast as next-day access to funds without dipping into long-term savings or costly debt. They can save seamlessly—either automatically via their paycheck or via a linked bank account—and with the Vestwell mobile app and multilingual support, their savings are always within reach whenever they need.
Deliver holistic benefits for short- and long-term savings
Vestwell’s platform is built to manage an ESA alongside retirement, education, and other Vestwell benefits—in one place, on one unified portal. Help employees save for every stage of their financial journey.
Customize your ESA program to best fit your workforce
You can enhance your ESA program with optional incentives like sign-up bonuses, matching contributions, or milestone rewards. Tailor the ESA to your business needs and budget, and give your employees an extra savings boost—even a small amount can have a big impact.
Limited Time Bundle
Give your retirement benefits a built-in boost with Vestwell’s free ESA.
Vestwell retirement plans include a free ESA for employers who get started by March 31, 2026.² Employees can activate their ESA directly from their retirement dashboard to save for the unexpected, while keeping retirement funds secure for the future. This built-in ESA with a Vestwell retirement plan is hands-off for employers and no extra cost—helping your retirement benefits go further with no added lift. If you’re looking to support your workforce with additional ESA features such as paycheck deductions and employer contributions, our premium ESA upgrade offers more robust options for a fee.
Mobile App
Employees can manage their account and savings on the go with the Vestwell mobile app. They can set contributions, adjust account details, and track progress anytime, anywhere.
Download on the App Store
Explore more resources to build your financial wellness benefits.
A benefits package that meets employees where it matters.
Recruit, retain, and reward top talent in a competitive job market with a unique benefit to tackle employees’ most pressing financial needs. As financial stress continues to rise, an emergency savings benefit builds financial security and gives back to your business by promoting a more engaged, productive, and loyal workforce.
Employees increasingly seek emergency savings support.
- 38%of workers have less than $1,000 in emergency savings³
- 50%of workers would be more likely to stay at a job if an emergency savings account was available.³
- ~70%of employees would be interested in an employer-sponsored emergency savings account if offered.³
Differentiate your benefits package with an ESA.
Set employees up for short-term financial needs today and long-term financial security tomorrow—while giving your business a powerful edge in today’s competitive market.
FAQ
No. Employer contributions and incentives are optional, and you can decide what structure works best for your business. A dedicated onboarding manager is available to guide you through setup if you choose to offer contributions.
There are multiple ways employees can save into their ESA accounts, depending on your ESA program details. This includes via recurring or one-time deposit from an employee's bank account or via deductions from their paycheck. Paycheck deductions and any employer contributions are submitted to Vestwell via payroll file upload or entered directly within your employer portal. Our service team is available to guide you through the submission process if needed.
Yes. If you already use Vestwell for a retirement plan or other benefit, your ESA program will live within the same portal. If your retirement offering includes Vestwell’s free ESA, employees will manage their ESA through their existing Vestwell portal.
We send employee welcome emails, have an employee help center available, can provide you with onboarding materials, and offer in-portal guidance to help employees understand and use their ESA program.
If you offer Vestwell’s premium ESA, you’ll be able to view participation metrics and contribution data through your employer portal. Otherwise, Vestwell’s team can help provide engagement information upon request.
- 1
The interest rate on Vestwell's ESA fluctuates. The exact rate will always be available in the ESA account portal, but it is generally higher than interest rates at traditional financial institutions.
- 2
If employees choose to withdraw funds via paper check, there is a $5 paper check fee. ESA availability may vary depending on a retirement plan’s financial advisor or payroll provider.