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What is Emergency Savings and what is Fidelity doing about it?

Emergency Savings is money that is set aside in case of an emergency or unexpected event. Unexpected events like losing a job, needing to repair a car, or receiving a large medical bill can derail budgets, financial goals and saving for retirement.

There is significant evidence that many Americans are not adequately prepared for emergencies and are taking withdrawals from their retirement savings in times of need. We are proud to have developed a solution, Fidelity Goal BoosterSM, an out-of-plan investing and saving experience designed to help people save smarter for important savings goals, including emergency savings.

What is an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is a key element of a basic financial plan. Whether you’re a savings pro or just getting started, here’s what you need to know.


How much should you save?

Here are answers to 5 common questions about emergency funds, including how big your emergency fund should be and where you could consider keeping it.


Emergency Savings, Retirement and Public Policy

Why Emergency Savings is needed to reduce retirement withdrawals.


Workplace Thought Leadership

Don't let unexpected expenses derail your employees' financial goals. Here's how employers can help employees save for emergencies.



In The News*

MarketWatch

Emergency savings is the backbone of any good financial plan. Saving for emergencies soon may be easier.

Planadviser

Delta taps Fidelity to run new Emergency Savings Program.

Employee Benefit News

Fidelity and Starbucks team up to help employees build their savings.

CNBC

Many Americans can’t afford an emergency expense. Some are calling for employers to help with that.

*You are now leaving Fidelity.com for a website that is unaffiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity has not been involved in the preparation of the content supplied at the unaffiliated site and does not guarantee or assume any responsibility for its content.

1Fidelity Investments Total Well-Being Research online survey of 9,315 active Fidelity 401(k) and 403(b) participants from across the U.S. in September 2017.
2Bankrate SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus of 1,028 respondents from December 16-19, 2022.
3Fidelity Financial Wellness Checkup of more than 247,000 participants from June 1 - November 30, 2022.

“Today’s economy has left many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, and the thought of setting aside money for the unexpected can feel daunting,” says Kevin Barry, president of Fidelity Workplace Investing.

“The good news is many employers are stepping up to support the financial wellness of their workforce with emergency savings benefits. This growing focus, coupled with recent legislation enabling employer involvement, is driving forward-thinking employers to help employees better prepare for those rainy days.”


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