Creating the conditions for our members to thrive

Our research efforts generate insights the private and public sector can leverage to create and improve products, programs and policies that empower the financial health journeys of our members, people living on low-to-moderate incomes.

We consistently engage with our member community to directly identify the systemic blockers keeping them from achieving financial health. Our research reflects their priorities and perspectives and gives them a greater voice in the system.

Below you can learn more about our current projects. If you are interested in learning more or wish to explore future a partnerships, please reach out to Mat Despard, SaverLife’s Vice President of Research and Policy.

Current projects:

  • Climate Change: A financial threat-multiplier for low-income households

    Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation

    SaverLife is conducting research and storytelling with its members concerning how climate change is affecting household finances, such as losing wages due to severe weather. The first phase of this work is reflected in “The Downpour” report released in Fall 2023 to be followed by an additional report in Spring 2024 for a deeper dive into these results.

  • Employer-Sponsored Small-Dollar Loans: Market Evolution and Opportunities for Promoting Financial Inclusion through the Workplace

    Funded by FINRA Investor Education Foundation

    SaverLife is partnering with the Filene Research Institute to understand credit unions’ and employers’ experiences in offering these loans and workers’ experiences in using these loans in relation to their financial well-being.

  • Financial Technology for Good: Measuring the Impact of Emerging Financial Technologies on the Financial Health of Consumers

    Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

    Through surveys, interviews, and transaction account data analysis, SaverLife is examining members’ experiences with digital banking and payment platforms, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and Earned Wage Access (EWA) products and how these experiences relate to members’ financial health and circumstances.

    Learn more

  • The Housing Paradox: Exploring the relationship between housing stability, financial health and the enduring dream of homeownership

    Funded by the Melville Charitable Trust

    SaverLife conducted a survey and interviews among members concerning how housing insecurities (e.g., difficulty affording rent or mortgage payments, temporarily living with friends, health and safety issues) are related to members’ job security and financial circumstances such as experiencing income and expense shocks. We are asked members about their awareness and use of housing programs and their aspirations to become homeowners and the challenges they face.

    Learn more

  • Retirement with Dignity: Challenges and Opportunities for the Secure 2.0 Act

    Funded by the Prudential Foundation

    SaverLife is advising the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis which is conducting this study of lower-wage workers in the U.S. concerning their access to defined contribution plans (DCPs) and attitudes toward and experiences with various provisions of the Secure 2.0 Act, which aims to boost short- and long-term saving among Americans.

  • The Road to Small Business Success: A Financial Health Pathway for Early-Stage Entrepreneurship

    Funded by MasterCard Foundation

    SaverLife is working with members who are microentrepreneurs to understand their awareness of various tax filing issues and challenges (e.g., self-employment taxes) and to test interventions on the SaverLife platform to encourage saving and offer guidance about accessing credit and tracking personal and business finances.

  • SaverLife Voice: Building the Economic Power of Low-to-Moderate Income Families

    Founded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

    Through this project, SaverLife is building its capacity to engage its members in our research, agenda-setting, and advocacy efforts. This includes increasing our member research panel, establishing and growing a member advocacy panel, expanding member storytelling efforts, increase policy-oriented content from our research, and deepen engagement with partner organizations who are well-positioned to influence public policy.

  • Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM) Project

    Funded by: J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Foundation

    SaverLife is advising the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis which is conducting this longitudinal study of lower-wage workers in the U.S. to examine challenges workers face regarding job instability, gig work, access to workplace and public benefits, and how these employment experiences relate to household financial health and use of financial products and services.