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Vestwell Could Be Facilitating OregonSaves Program in 2021Vestwell Could Be Facilitating OregonSaves Program in 2021

A 2018 partnership between Vestwell and BNY Mellon, to bolster retirement plan management solution Sumday, could see implementation in Oregon.

Samuel Steinberger, Senior Technology Editor

November 20, 2020

1 Min Read
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A missed asset and account target appears to be catalyzing the Oregon Treasury Savings Network to end its contract with record-keeper Ascensus, which runs OregonSaves, the first state-facilitated retirement program, according to a report from Pensions & Investments.

The contract governing the relationship between the two parties dictates that certain asset and account thresholds must be met, or Ascensus could attempt to increase its fees and reduce its expenses. 

Those negotiations have resulted in Ascensus likely pulling out of the contract. A spokesperson for the firm confirmed a 2021 transition to a new, unnamed service provider, according to the report.

Instead, Bank of New York Mellon subsidiary Sumday, in partnership with Vestwell, could be awarded the contract.

Official negotiations with Sumday are yet to begin, according to the report, but David Bell, deputy director of the Oregon Treasury Savings Network, wanted to start looking at alternatives.

"We cannot handle a pause in the program," he said

OregonSaves, which launched in 2017, serves more than 70,000 people through their employers, according to Ascensus.

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About the Author

Samuel Steinberger

Senior Technology Editor, WealthManagement.com

Samuel Steinberger is Senior Technology Editor for Informa Connect’s WealthManagement.com. In his role, Mr. Steinberger provides the publication’s wealth and financial technology coverage. 

Mr. Steinberger’s editorial insight and familiarity with technology accelerates Informa’s growth within the financial advisor and wealth management communities, providing in-depth news for advisors and financial professionals. 

Before joining Informa Connect, Mr. Steinberger produced documentaries with former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien at Soledad O’Brien Productions (formerly Starfish Media Group). He specialized in research, shooting and editing, as well as finding distinct voices to explain topics like mental health, poverty and racial divide. 

Prior to joining Soledad O’Brien Productions, Mr. Steinberger managed multi-departmental technology projects for global legal technology leader Transperfect Legal Solutions. After obtaining his graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University, he completed his transition from technology management to media. 

Mr. Steinberger is an award-winning journalist, author and researcher who has written, edited and reported for a number of publications, including The New York Times, Financial PlanningAmerican Banker and PBS. He is founder of beverages publication Give Me Weird Drinks

Mr. Steinberger’s technology analysis and insight has been featured in several books on virtual and augmented reality. Mr. Steinberger has received awards and recognition for his reporting and research, including the American Business Media's prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award for editorial excellence.

Follow on Twitter: @slsteinberger