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Michigan Office of Retirement Services named national Savings Champion by America Saves
July 28, 2025
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS) has earned the 2025 America Saves Savings Champion award, an honor for organizations that effectively and actively promote saving strategies during the annual America Saves Week campaign.
America Saves Week took place April 6-12 as part of Financial Literacy Month and saw participation from more than 5,000 organizations across the country. ORS was one of 18 organizations honored — and one of only seven to earn it in consecutive years.
“Keeping the focus on financial goals requires patience, especially during periods of economic uncertainty and volatility,” said ORS Executive Director Anthony Estell. "Establishing a plan, maintaining consistent saving and spending habits, and adapting to changing circumstances can help people stay on track.”
ORS encouraged people to stay focused on personal finances, retirement savings, and long-term goals — regardless of market influence. ORS emphasized the importance of having a financial plan, making timely adjustments, reviewing savings regularly, and preparing for both short-term challenges and future needs. Whether just starting out or approaching retirement, staying the course and adapting when necessary remain key to financial stability.
During America Saves Week, ORS and other participating organizations collectively helped encourage nearly $155 million in deposits into new and existing savings accounts. Additionally, activity in the State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 Plans accounts increased, with more than 112,000 total logins during the week of April 6-12 alone. During the campaign, 107 participants increased their contributions to their retirement accounts.
The ORS outreach efforts included website content; social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X; articles in the quarterly Proactive newsletter; and internal communication to State of Michigan employees.
2025 America Saves Saving Champion Award recipients
- H&R Block
- Okaloosa Saves
- Los Angeles Saves
- Credit.org (Inland Empire Saves, and San Diego Saves)
- Commonwealth of Virginia – Department of Human Resource Management
- The Financial Literacy Youth Initiative
- Sunny Day Fund
- Veterans Bargains
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- City of Virginia Beach
- UT Extension Henderson County
- Amazon
- Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
- Young Investors Network
- TDCI/Securities Division
- Michigan Office of Retirement Services
- Universities of Wisconsin, as supported by TIAA
- State of Ohio Collective
About Michigan Office of Retirement Services
The Michigan Office of Retirement Services administers retirement programs for state employees, public school employees, judges, state police, and National Guard members. This includes over 602,000 customers (about 265,000 active, 20,000 deferred, and 317,000 retired). Nearly one out of every 13 Michigan adults living in one out of every eight Michigan households benefits from ORS services.
About America Saves
America Saves is a campaign coordinated by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America and is dedicated to empowering all, particularly those who are financially vulnerable, to build financial confidence through effective saving, debt reduction, and wealth building strategies. Learn more at americasaves.org and americasavesweek.org.
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