The Impact of Covid-19 on Financial Capability and Asset Building Services: Exploring Equity, Accessibility, and the Future of Service Delivery

A study was conducted by Asset Funders Network (AFN) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Financial Security (CFS) to better understand the transition to remote services among financial capability and asset building (FCAB) programs, which includes financial education, counseling, coaching, emergency assistance, benefits navigation, housing supports, workforce development, and other related services. A full report, six regional briefs, and a webinar are available. Visit the AFN website and project landing page for all materials and regional briefs.

Employer-Based Financial Wellness Programs in Wisconsin: Survey Findings

In late 2021 into early 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) surveyed Wisconsin employers on behalf of the Adult Health and Workplace Financial Literacy Committee of the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability. The purpose of the survey was to learn more about employer-provided financial wellness programs in the State. The Committee, chaired by Jeff Grothman, partnered with DFI and the Center for Financial Security (CFS) to develop and administer an online survey via Qualtrics. The 2021-2022 survey was based on an earlier survey launched in 2012 by the Workplace Financial Literacy Committee. The report with survey findings and recommendations is now available to download and view.

CFS RDRC Webinar: Health, Health Insurance, and Financial Security

Lack of health insurance and underinsurance threaten the near term and long-term economic security of households approaching retirement. For lower income households near retirement but not yet eligible for Medicare, Medicaid may reduce financial hardship caused by medical bills, improve savings for retirement, and change use of Social Security benefits. Whether Medicaid significantly improves the financial health of households near retirement informs how Social Security beneficiaries will fare once they reach retirement.

This January 31, 2023 webinar explores this topic with the researchers, Katie Fitzpatrick, Associate Professor & MPP Program Director at Biden School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware, and Keisha Solomon, Research Scientist in the Department of Economics at Howard University. Webinar discussants include Kabir Dasgupta, Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve, and Caroline Gomez-Tom, Outreach Specialist with Covering Wisconsin.