Vestwell announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Accrue 401k, the entity established to support the Guideline 401(k) plans excluded from Gusto’s purchase of Guideline. The deal positions Vestwell to become the new platform for nearly 30,000 retirement plans and 350,000 savers once the transaction closes, marking a major expansion of its national footprint and strengthening its role as a preferred partner for payroll providers, financial institutions, and government programs.
The acquisition follows Gusto’s purchase of Guideline and ensures continuity for employers and employees whose plans were not included in that transaction. When the conversion is complete, Accrue 401k clients will continue accessing their plans through leading payroll providers such as Intuit QuickBooks, Rippling, Paylocity, Deel, Square, OnPay, BambooHR, and additional platforms powered by Check.
Vestwell plans to offer these transitioning employers and employees an enhanced digital experience, expanded workplace savings programs, and a payroll-integrated infrastructure designed to reduce administrative complexity. The company emphasized that its automated data connections pull key information directly from payroll systems, enabling accurate compensation, hours, contribution, and election tracking.
Rippling, one of the major payroll platforms already integrated with Vestwell, will expand its collaboration to support a streamlined migration experience. Vestwell stated that employers across industries, including small and mid-market businesses that have historically been underserved, will gain access to a more modern savings platform with a consistent low-cost pricing structure.
The company also confirmed that the transaction is expected to close in early 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. J.P. Morgan Securities and Centerview Partners advised Vestwell on the deal, while Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as outside counsel. Accrue 401k received legal counsel from Silicon Legal Strategy.
Once the transition is complete, plans and savers will benefit from ongoing integration with their existing payroll providers, intuitive digital tools to help make saving easier, modernized infrastructure built to reduce administrative burdens, access to a broader suite of savings solutions spanning retirement, education, disability, emergency funds, and student loan repayment programs, and around-the-clock support offered in more than twenty languages.
Vestwell noted that the acquisition aligns with its mission to expand access to workplace savings solutions and help more Americans progress toward long-term financial security.
KEY QUOTES:
“If we’re going to close the $50 trillion savings gap in the U.S., saving needs to be synonymous with earning. Payroll connectivity is the foundation for workplace savings. Automatic integrations ensure employees can save effortlessly, and employers can offer instrumental benefits without added complexity. We appreciate the work Guideline has done to support small businesses, and we are committed to carrying that mission forward on their behalf through our nearly 200 payroll providers.”
Aaron Schumm, Founder and CEO, Vestwell
“We created Accrue with one goal: to ensure that the businesses and employees who relied on these plans continued to receive the service they depend on through this transition. Our priority was finding the long-term provider that made the most sense for them. After a thorough review, Vestwell stood out for its modern platform, deep payroll integrations, and commitment to businesses of all sizes. Our clients can stay with their existing payroll providers and feel confident their employees’ savings plans will transition smoothly and continue without interruption.”
Steven Wu, CEO of Accrue and Former CFO and Chief Business Officer of Guideline
“We’re pleased to expand our partnership with Vestwell and provide our customers with a seamless payroll-to-savings benefits experience. Because Rippling is already integrated with Vestwell, our clients can stay focused on running their businesses and continue to offer the same retirement plans to their employees.”
Hunter Williams, Senior Director of Business Development, Rippling
“Whether you’re running a tech startup, a restaurant group, or growing a large company, your benefits need to reflect the needs of your workforce. Vestwell simplifies savings plan management so employers can offer benefits that show their people they matter—reducing turnover, rewarding loyalty, and doing so without adding to their daily workload. By welcoming the Accrue businesses onto the Vestwell platform, we’re delivering value at scale and helping more Americans take a real step toward lasting financial security.”
Aaron Schumm, Founder and CEO, Vestwell
