Our Commitment to Building a Savings System That Works for Everyone

The way people earn and save is changing. Payroll providers are no longer just cutting checks. They are helping businesses deliver the benefits that matter most to today’s workforce, and retirement sits at the center of that conversation. With new legislation, better technology, and more flexible plan designs, offering a workplace retirement plan is more accessible than ever. Yet millions of workers still do not have a path to save automatically through their paycheck.

In our annual savings trends report, 85% of employees said they expect their employer to offer retirement benefits, 93% of those with student loans reported that debt affects their ability to save, 38% have less than $1,000 in emergency savings, and 94% told us they see real value in tools that provide digital, personalized investment guidance. These numbers tell a clear story: people want and need a more straightforward, more connected way to save.

That is why this moment matters. Vestwell has entered into an agreement to acquire Accrue 401k, formerly part of Guideline, bringing nearly 30,000 employers and 350,000 savers onto the Vestwell platform. Accrue 401k was created after Gusto acquired Guideline to support employers whose plans were not connected to Gusto’s payroll system and who instead work with leading providers such as Intuit’s QuickBooks, Rippling, Paylocity, Deel, Square, OnPay, Check, BambooHR, and others. Now, these businesses and their employees will have a new home with Vestwell, a platform built from the ground up to connect payroll and savings through modern, scalable infrastructure.

When payroll and savings work together, people win. For decades, too many workers were shut out of meaningful savings opportunities simply because systems didn’t talk to each other, were too complicated to manage, and too expensive to support. Payroll-connected savings changes that. By making contributions automatic—every paycheck, for every eligible employee—we remove the friction that holds people back.

And when a payroll provider chooses to partner with Vestwell to offer retirement benefits, it says something powerful about the businesses they serve: that helping employees build financial security is part of supporting a modern workforce.

But payroll alone won’t close the savings gap. The future of workplace savings will also be shaped by deeper public–private collaboration. From government savings programs to payroll-connected 401(k)s, a new model is emerging—one where employers, governments, and technology providers work together to help people save in ways that reflect how they actually live and earn. When these systems connect, millions of people who were previously left out finally gain a pathway to long-term financial security.

We have been preparing for this shift since day one. We have built the infrastructure that powers 90% of state retirement savings programs, integrates directly with nearly 200 payroll providers, and supports hundreds of thousands of businesses and millions of savers nationwide. Our mission has always been to help close the nation’s $50 trillion savings gap. That challenge requires more than good intentions. It demands technology, partnerships, and human understanding that make saving feel as natural as getting paid.

This transition also reinforces Vestwell’s role as the platform of choice for the country’s top financial institutions, payroll providers, and government programs. We have proven that a modern recordkeeping platform can serve every corner of the savings ecosystem, from government-led programs that expand access for millions, to financial advisors who are growing their practices to serve the future of wealth, to payroll companies who power America’s workforce. Together, these partnerships form a more unified, future-ready savings solution to solve the savings gap crisis we find ourselves in.

Daily, I am energized by the unsolicited outreach to me, and our team, about how Vestwell has helped change the lives of savers and businesses across the country, from how we were able to help them navigate an unforeseen financial crunch, to helping them save to have their kids enter college, to helping the disabled veteran save for the additional support needed, to the young adult saving their first dollar, as they plan for their future.

To all the employers and savers joining us, welcome. You are entering a community built on stability, transparency, and innovation. Our priority is to make your experience smoother and more valuable, not more complicated. You will have access not only to enhanced retirement options such as 401(k) Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts and personalized investing options, but also to additional savings vehicles, such as ABLE disability savings, student loan matching programs, and emergency savings accounts, all available through a single connected platform. And if you need something, please ask. We will always do everything in our power to deliver the most comprehensive, forward-thinking savings platform to you.

We know that change can create uncertainty. This moment is not about disruption for its own sake. It is about evolution and helping to ensure that every saver, no matter where they work or which payroll system they use, can rely on modern tools and a partner here for the long term. As more employers and savers join Vestwell, our responsibility grows along with our reach. We do not take that lightly. We are committed to making this transition smooth, to earning trust every day, and to expanding access to savings programs that are fair, transparent, and easy to use.

We congratulate you on being part of the solution, and we are excited to help lead this next chapter in how Americans save for their future.

We are excited to welcome Accrue 401k employers and savers to the Vestwell platform. To learn what this transition means and what you can expect in the weeks ahead, check out the video below: