With the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and Flourish FI (a fintech), we designed a “Savings Pocket Pilot” to see how families might to save and engage with 529 plans if they could simultaneously save and access funds for emergencies without penalty. 

Key findings include: 

• Integrating 529s and emergency savings can encourage 529 use and help people save for short and long-term needs.
• The design makes a difference: one app to save for emergencies and education supports both savings accounts. 
• Specific personas benefitted the most from the tool: People who have struggled to save in the past, people needing a nudge to restart saving, and people wanting to learn how to navigate the 529 process.