Delaware
Delaware EARNS officially opens for enrollment
Delaware EARNS, the state retirement fund program, is projected to have 3,900 employers and almost 39,000 employees enrolled. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ADOBE STOCK
WILMINGTON — Delaware EARNS, the state-sponsored retirement plan, officially opened for enrollment on July 1 with hopes of bridging the state’s retirement savings gap.
Two years after legislation passed to establish the Delaware Expanding Access for Retirement and Necessary Saving program, or DE EARNS, employers with five or more employees —regardless of full-time or part-time status — now have to sign up and provide a retirement plan option.
Administered by New York based Vestwell State Savings, Delaware EARNS is structured as an automatic payroll deduction which is put into an Roth individual retirement account. Based on federal rules, there are annual contribution limits for how much an employee can put into an IRA. Those under 50 years of age can save up to $7,000 in their IRA while those over the age of 50 can save up to $8,000. Lower limits may be applied depending on various tax situations.
The program is funded by employees and facilitated by employers; employers can opt out if they offer their own plan like a 401(K). The deadline for employers to opt out or enroll is Oct. 15.
For the past year, the Delaware State Treasurer’s Office has been on an information campaign throughout the state and spent time meeting with several local chambers of commerce on how the program works. Colleen Davis, the state treasurer, once estimated that there are between 150,000 to 200,000 Delawareans who have not been offered a retirement plan through their employer.
Most of those employees were considered in the low and low-to-moderate income bracket. The National Compensation and Benefits Survey also found that 54% of Delaware employers do not offer retirement plans.
“The reason why the treasurer’s office got involved in this issue is that we’re facing a retirement savings crisis,” Delaware EARNS Program Director Ted Griffith said. “We have many workers that aren’t saving anything, and it’s not a problem unique to Delaware. But we can help do something about it by giving them access to start that fund through work. There’s research that shows that if someone does have a retirement plan that can contribute to payroll, they’re 15 times more likely to start one.”
Griffith also said it’s a societal issue as well as a workplace issue. With Delaware’s senior population continuing to rise, the Pew Charitable Trust and Econsult Solutions Inc. found that the state was on track to spend an additional $55 million per year over the next 20 years on programs like Medicaid due to insufficient savings.
“Not only can we help create a pathway to help people be more self-sufficient and financially empowered, we’re reducing the burden on the state over time,” he said.
Delaware is one of a few that has mandated retirement plans at various stages, either active or in the process of development. Colorado was among the first, and surrounding states like Virginia and New Jersey have also opened enrollment for similar plans, RetirePath Virginia and RetireReady NJ, respectively.
The First State has also joined a consortium of states, led by Colorado, to maximize Delaware EARNS’ potential to pool resources when it comes time to set up these programs to work. That can translate to savings for the account holders.
While it’s still early, Delaware EARNS has about 12 employers already enrolled as part of a pilot program. Based on projections done by the Pew Charitable Trust, it’s anticipated that 3,900 employers and almost 39,000 employees will be enrolled in the program.
“We’re excited for the future, because not only will this help the savings gap, it’ll help with the wealth gap,” Griffith said. “It’s going to give Delawareans who may not have a chance to invest a way to do that.”
For many people in Delaware, the UDairy Creamery is a favorite spot for a scoop of ice cream.
Whether customers are ordering guava sherbet, butter pecan or one of the creamery’s many other flavors, the University of Delaware shop has built a loyal following over the past 15 years.
But almost as soon as the creamery opened on the university’s South Campus, it outgrew its space.
“It was always a little too small and a little too tough to come in and leave at the same time,” said Jen Rodammer of the UDairy Creamery.
Connected to the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture, the creamery offers products that go beyond ice cream. Everything starts with the university’s agricultural programs.
“We sell honey from our apiary, we sell wool blankets for our sheep, we have Angus beef cuts available too, so we are really the connector between the college and everything we do here,” Rodammer said.
For now, customers can visit a temporary pop-up version of the creamery inside the ice rink next door while construction continues on the main building.
The renovation project, which has closed the creamery’s longtime home and impacted traffic near Townsend Hall, is designed to create a larger and more accessible space. University officials say visitors can expect quicker service, additional seating and more room to enjoy their ice cream.
“So our patio is being completely redone. There’s gonna be benches, chairs, tables and just a lot more friendly and welcoming,” Rodammer said. “It’s not just gonna be the creamery. It’s botanical gardens also.”
By late August, one of the biggest changes will be a stronger connection between the creamery and the University of Delaware’s botanical garden trails, which are free and open to the public. Visitors will be able to walk the trails and see the cows that help produce the milk used in the creamery’s ice cream.
The expansion comes after years of growth for a business that Rodammer said was originally expected to be much smaller.
“I don’t think they thought it was gonna be more than a mom and pop shop. And it really changed quickly. We’ve become a community staple, which is really exciting for us,” she said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
Claiming lottery in Delaware
18 states have laws that allow national lottery prize jackpot winners to remain anonymous, but is Delaware among them?
The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Wednesday, June 3, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 3 drawing
14-16-38-55-64, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 3 numbers from June 3 drawing
Day: 5-0-5
Night: 5-6-4
Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 4 numbers from June 3 drawing
Day: 4-8-0-2
Night: 6-7-3-9
Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from June 3 drawing
03-07-10-27-28-32
Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 3 drawing
02-05-19-22-24, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 04
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 5 numbers from June 3 drawing
Day: 9-0-2-7-1
Night: 4-8-0-0-3
Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
- Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
- Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
- Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
- For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.
Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?
Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.
How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?
Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.
When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
- Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
- Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.
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