Workers Show Strong Interest in Workplace Emergency Savings Programs

A new survey commissioned by The AARP Public Policy Institute reveals that most workers express interest in participating in a workplace emergency savings program, with many seeing it as an easy way to build savings. 

• Roughly six in ten workers said they would be likely to enroll in a program if offered by their employer, including 40 percent who indicated a high likelihood (8 – 10) of enrolling and 18 percent who indicated a moderate likelihood (6 – 7) of enrolling. 
• Increased savings, a sense that this is a “good” thing to do, and convenience are the top reasons for being very likely to enroll, while a desire for more information is especially common among those who are somewhat likely to enroll. 
• Among those who are unlikely to participate, the most frequent explanation is that they are already saving on their own. 
• An employer match on payroll contributions would make nearly nine in ten workers more likely to participate. 
• Worker interest in the program is driven by whether they are already saving for unexpected expenses, current balances of their nonretirement accounts, and trust in their primary employer. 

Findings are based on a national survey of working adults ages 25–64.  Commissioned by The AARP Public Policy Institute, the survey was conducted from December 2024 through January 2025 to shed light on worker interest in workplace emergency savings programs and the program features that would be most attractive. The survey aimed to identify the program features most likely to generate broad participation in a payroll deduction workplace emergency savings program, determine the most effective language to encourage participation, and understand the characteristics, past experiences, and motivations of workers most likely to enroll. Read the full report.