case study

To meet growing demand for financial education, the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) launched Money MattERS, a monthly digital newsletter, and a companion podcast, Money Talks. These resources deliver targeted content on State of Texas retirement benefits and the voluntary savings programs ERS oversees, helping members understand the full value of their employer-sponsored benefits and how to use them to build long-term financial security. ERS partnered with Empower, the administrator of the Texa$aver 401(k)/457 program, to provide reliable financial education, tools, and short-form videos tailored to members’ needs. By breaking down key financial concepts, the initiative aims to reduce financial stress, promote smart money management, and empower members to budget, manage debt, invest, and plan for a secure retirement.

BART offers its full-time employees access to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and a 401(a) Money Purchase Pension Plan through MissionSquare Retirement, serving approximately 12,270 participants with $1.5 billion in assets. To increase retiree engagement and promote proactive financial planning, BART launched “Dive Into Financial Wellness” in June 2024—an in-person event designed to empower participants to make informed decisions and confidently manage their retirement assets. Attendees connected with experts from MissionSquare, T. Rowe Price®, Galliard, Social Security, Medicare, and Bay Area Older Adults™, and received personalized guidance from Certified Financial Planner® Professionals and Retirement Plan Specialists. The free event featured educational presentations, one-on-one consultations, and networking over lunch. A multi-channel promotional campaign—flyers, postcards, emails, and an RSVP site—helped drive awareness and participation.