ICMA and Savi are scaling a proven solution for local government employees nationwide. Through their expanding partnership, Savi has already unlocked over $5 billion in projected savings for public service workers, delivering an average annual reduction of $2,244 in student loan payments. Local governments nationwide are leveraging Savi’s platform as a powerful recruitment and retention tool. 

A Growing Financial Strain That Calls for Employer Action 

Every nine seconds, a student loan borrower falls into default somewhere in the country. The consequences for delinquent borrowers are compounding rapidly. In 2025, credit scores for those falling behind dropped by an average of 57 points, sharply increasing the cost of auto loans and mortgages. With nearly one million income-driven repayment applications stalled in processing, many borrowers are left without a clear path to resolution and are forced to navigate without any assistance. 

These challenges have now moved directly into local governments, creating significant operational and workforce strain. HR offices are increasingly bogged down by the administrative burden of wage garnishment policies, while student debt fundamentally undermines recruitment and retention efforts. 

The Savi Solution

Most local government employees qualify for meaningful relief through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), but complicated paperwork and confusing policy adjustments each year make it difficult to navigate without assistance. Just over 5% of PSLF applications are approved for forgiveness. This is where Savi comes into play. 

Savi equips local governments with customized microsites that connect employees to the Student Debt Navigator and personalized repayment support. This TurboTax style platform guides borrowers through every step of their repayment process: identifying eligibility, automating enrollment paperwork, and monitoring accounts as policies evolve. The goal is not just short-term relief. It is long-term financial stability and real protection from the consequences of default. 

The results speak to this directly. Paperwork submitted through Savi’s platform has achieved a 99% application acceptance rate. That gap represents thousands of city employees who would otherwise miss out on the forgiveness they have earned through years of public service.

 A Call to Action for Local Government Leaders

 With delinquency rates continuing to rise, this is not a problem that will resolve on its own. Public sector leaders who act now can protect their workforce from the worst consequences of the student loan crisis while strengthening their benefits package at no cost to their local government. 

• For local government leaders: Add Savi to your employee benefits package and support your workforce's financial well-being. Contact Ryan Corcoran at ryancorcoran@bysavi.com
• For local government employees: Ask your department head or human resources office if Savi is available to you. If it is not yet offered, let them know there is demand.
• For local governments already offering Savi: Encourage employees to log in and make sure their accounts are current as federal policies continue to shift. 

Proven Success 

Savi User Averages:

• Reduce payments by $2,244 annually
• Receive $39,000 in loan forgiveness 

City of Phoenix Case Study:

• Over 1,300 city employees helped 
• $39,201 - Average Projected Forgiveness Per Employee
• $22,736,800 - Total Projected Forgiveness 

For more information:

• Monthly join a free webinar for HR and city/county leadership looking for ways to engage local government employees.
• At the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach
  • Stop by the Savi table to learn how your local government can automate Public Service Loan Forgiveness enrollment to boost recruitment and retention!
  • ICMA Conference Session: Navigating the Puzzling Landscape of Student Loan Debt for City and Local Government Employees

About Savi 

Savi is a social impact technology company in Washington, D.C., working to solve the student debt crisis affecting 43 million borrowers by helping them find repayment and loan forgiveness options. Founded by long-time student loan experts and advocates, Savi is a public benefit corporation that works with employers, membership organizations, and financial institutions to provide student loan benefits that support recruitment, retention, and financial wellness.

Since 2017, Savi has helped uncover over $5 billion in savings for members across 10,000+ employers and organizations such as AARP, MetLife, NACo, NEA, and TIAA. Certified as a Great Place to Work and recognized as a world-changing organization, Savi is proud to help make education more accessible and affordable.