America Saves Week, which was April 5-11, was part of Financial Literacy Month. More than 5,300 groups across the U.S. took part in America Saves Week. ORS was one of 20 groups awarded the Savings Champion award. ORS was also one of just 10 groups to earn it in consecutive years and one of only five groups to earn it three years in a row.   

During the week, ORS encouraged people to build a strong financial base, save for emergencies, plan with purpose, pay down debt, and focus on their future. The ORS campaign used a storybook theme “Own Your Financial Story: Big Plans. Small Steps.”   

“Our purpose is to help our customers achieve a successful today and a secure tomorrow,” ORS Executive Director Anthony Estell said. “We understand that retirement is one of many financial objectives that people may have, and we want to help them identify their priorities and take the small steps that will help them meet their short-term and long-term goals.” 

For America Saves Week, ORS pointed out that “your future isn’t written — it’s created. Start with one step toward your next goal, and trust that those steps will add up to something extraordinary.”  

ORS efforts for America Saves Week included social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X; articles in the quarterly Proactive newsletter; an email delivered to over 193,000 email addresses; DTMB digital signs at 25 locations across Michigan; and internal content for State of Michigan employees. 

During the week, ORS and other groups helped inspire savings habits for financial well-being and encouraged over $169 million in savings. Additionally, ORS urged engagement with the State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 Plans administered by Voya Financial.  

America Saves Week is an annual part of America Saves, a national campaign managed by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. 

2026 America Saves Saving Champion Award recipients 

• ADP Retirement Services 
• Advantage CCS 
• Amazon 
• Armed Forces Financial Network
• Bank On Hampton Roads — City of Virginia Beach 
• Black & Brown Founders Inc 
• Credit.org, San Diego Saves, & Inland Empire Saves 
• Facing Finances 
• H&R Block 
• Heffernan Financial 
• Los Angeles Saves 
• Michigan Office of Retirement Services 
• NYC Board of Education Retirement System 
• Okaloosa Saves 
• Tennessee Commerce & Insurance/Securities Division 
• UConn Extension & Connecticut Saves 
• University of Wisconsin 
• UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Virginia Tech Saves & Virginia Tech Consumer Studies Program
• Wealthspire