How Wisconsin Employers Are Helping Families Save for Higher Education

published November 1, 2025

As the cost of education continues to rise, Wisconsin employers are exploring new strategies. Their goal is to support the financial well-being of one of their most valuable assets—their employees. One such opportunity is through Edvest At Work, a no-cost employee benefit that helps families plan and save for a loved one’s future education and career training expenses.

The Employer’s Role in Supporting Education Savings

In today’s environment, employers are seeking creative ways to provide meaningful benefits without adding financial strain to their budgets. That’s where Edvest At Work can stand out. The program is open to all Wisconsin employers, regardless of size, and comes with no setup costs, no administrative fees, and no contracts.

"There's still a general lack of awareness that families can save to cover their loved ones' higher education expenses," says Khaleel Ali, Senior Education Savings Consultant from the Edvest 529 team. "Edvest At Work empowers families with practical tools and resources to save for higher education and help reduce reliance on student loans. When employers invite Edvest 529 consultants to educate their teams, they're demonstrating a true commitment to their employees' long-term financial wellness."

A Simple, Flexible Setup Process

Every company is unique, and so is the setup process for Edvest At Work. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the Edvest 529 team partners closely with each employer's HR, payroll, and benefits teams to design a rollout that fits their organization.

"We take the time to understand how a company operates," Ali explains. "That includes learning about their employees, how benefits have been introduced in the past, and whether payroll systems can support direct deposit contributions with minimal effort."

Employers can choose from several engagement options: onsite learning sessions, virtual presentations, or one-on-one consultations to introduce the benefit. Employees are always offered individual meetings, either in-person or virtually, to ask questions and receive personalized education.

Stories from the Field

The most common response Edvest 529 consultants hear from employees during their first meeting is, "I never knew that Edvest 529 existed." Despite marketing efforts, many individuals overlook or are unaware of 529 savings opportunities.

Edvest At Work has been an effective way to reach those who can benefit from saving with a 529 plan. Through this voluntary workplace benefit, employees are given the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and understand the long-term advantages.

Employees appreciate the ability to contribute any amount directly from their paycheck. Seeing how those contributions grow over 5, 10, or 18 years can be a powerful motivator. "It's incredibly rewarding to help someone start saving for the first time and see that lightbulb moment when they realize how achievable their goal can be," says Kevin Pytleski, Senior Education Savings Consultant from the Edvest 529 team.

Feedback from employers and employees about the program has been overwhelmingly positive. "The program is designed to help families save for higher education, and having consultants like Khaleel and me available for one-on-one discussions makes a big difference."

HR managers value the program’s simplicity as there's virtually no administrative burden to implement or maintain. Edvest At Work has seen strong success in industries such as healthcare, education, and local government, such as companies like Howard-Suamico School District and 920 Chiropractic Health and Injury Care. More recently, manufacturing employers, like Staab Construction, have also begun offering the benefit as awareness and participation in 529 plans continue to grow.

"Being able to meet employees on-site and answer their questions privately rather than in front of a large group is comforting for many," Pytleski adds. "It makes the experience personal, and that connection helps more families take the first step toward saving."

Ongoing Support and Resources

Edvest 529 provides robust support to every partner employer, so employer staff do not need to be responsible for educating their employees. Each partner receives customized materials, both digital and printed, to introduce and explain the program. This includes:

• Announcement flyers with dates and registration links for webinars or in-person opportunities.
• Educational handouts explaining 529 plans and their benefits.
• Consultant flyers so employees know who to contact for help.

To keep partners informed throughout the year, Edvest also distributes the Edvest At Work Quarterly Newsletter, which includes updates on special promotions, timely news articles, and upcoming webinars. And annually, employers are asked to share feedback and help shape future programming.

"Our goal is to maintain long-term relationships," Ali notes. "We listen to what employers and employees are saying so that this continues to be a valuable benefit year after year."

A Story of Lasting Impact

These everyday stories are powerful but sometimes, the impact goes even further. Ali recalls a story that perfectly illustrates the difference Edvest At Work can make:

"I met an employee from one of our employer partners who had attended an introductory webinar last fall who was expecting a baby at the time. Nearly a year later, she remembered that session and used our online scheduler to meet with me one-on-one. During our conversation, I helped her open an Edvest 529 account for her now-toddler daughter. It was a wonderful reminder of the long-term impact these conversations can have. By offering Edvest At Work, employers are helping families take real steps toward a brighter future for the next generation."

Interested in bringing Edvest At Work to your organization? Learn more at:
Edvest.com/employer

About Khaleel Ali

Khaleel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Indiana University. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Khaleel served as an Enrollment Ambassador, giving campus tours to prospective students. Away from business, he enjoys watching basketball and golf, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends.

About Kevin Pytleski

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is a lifelong Wisconsin resident who enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and attending sporting events across the state to support his favorite teams.

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To learn more about Wisconsin's Edvest 529 College Savings Plan, its investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses, see the Plan Description at Edvest.com before investing. Read it carefully. Prior to investing, check with your home state to learn if it offers tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds or protection from creditors for investing in its own 529 plan. If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Wisconsin taxpayers can qualify for a 2025 state tax deduction up to $5,130 annually per beneficiary, for single filers or married couples filing a joint return, from contributions made into an Edvest 529 College Savings Plan. Married couples filing separately may each claim a maximum of $2,560. Consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, is the distributor for the Edvest 529 College Savings Plan.

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