Security in Uncertain Times: TELUS Financial Program Encourages Future Savings

Though it may not be at the topmost of peoples’ minds amid pandemic concerns, planning financially for the future cannot be put on hold and needs to be on everyone’s to-do list.

Luckily, team members of TELUS International Philippines (TIP) who have subscribed to TIP SAFE, the company’s flagship financial benefits program for employees, continue to reap its benefits as their savings and investments grow with each new month, and expected to increase even more with every new year of tenure.

TIP SAFE (TIP Savings Arrangement for Financial Empowerment) is a retirement benefit fund launched by TELUS International Philippines for its employees in 2019 that combines the best aspects of a savings plan, an investment fund, and service loyalty incentives — allowing each team member to save and invest for their future and that of their family.

The fund is flexible and can continue even in challenging times as it allows team members to adjust the intensity of their investment by lowering their contributions or even temporarily halting them and then picking up again when they feel they are in a better place financially.

“As a company with a large and mostly young employee base, we realize that we must find a way to encourage them to build a better future for themselves and their families. TIP SAFE gives our hardworking employees the perfect vehicle not only to learn how to save for the future but also to understand the impact of investing early in life,” says Manny Jao, Chief Financial Officer for TELUS International APAC.

To further cater to their team members’ appetite for financial literacy and wellness, the company has also launched a new special interest group.

“When it comes to saving and investing, we recognize that fear of the unknown and the untried is a common barrier. At the same time, these are habits that you get better at with practice and with help. Recognizing this, we set up a new special interest group called Warriors of Wealth (WoW) which organizes learning opportunities for savings and investment for newbies and those who are a bit more advanced,” explains Paul Abello, TELUS International Philippines Site Lead for McKinley West and WoW executive sponsor.

Through weekly club meetings and special training sessions (including an 8-week financial literacy workshop for all new members), WoW helps team members gain knowledge on existing financial market instruments to make their hard-earned income grow.

This financial program is open to all TELUS team members who have rendered at least one (1) year of service.

“When I first signed up for the program, it was mainly because I thought it would be a good way to force myself to save because I can automate my savings through it,” shared Cristina Feliciano.

“But then, after a few months, I began to better appreciate all the different facets of the program. The employer matching contribution element was something I truly appreciated because it felt like my company was also saving for my own personal future. On top of that, the earnings from my contributions and the employer matching funds are higher than if I just maintained a savings account with local banks,” added Feliciano.