Common Wealth Retirement Mobile

My Role Lead UX & UI Designer
Deliverable Progressive Web App (PWA)

The objective of this project was to transform Common Wealth’s desktop-only retirement management platform into a fully responsive Progressive Web App. The goal was to provide a seamless, mobile-friendly experience that simplifies complex financial data, improves accessibility, and increases user engagement.

Impact

Higher Engagement Following the app’s launch, mobile users logged in twice as often as desktop users, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new responsive design.

Improved Access to Platform The transition from a desktop-only platform to a responsive PWA significantly expanded access to the platform, allowing members to manage their plans on any device.

Award-Winning Design The app contributed to Common Wealth’s recognition with multiple awards, including the 2022 Innovation Award in Technology and the 2023 Fintech Breakthrough Award.

User Satisfaction Enhanced usability earned Common Wealth a 93% customer satisfaction rating, reflecting the app’s intuitive interface and user-centric design.

My Plan

My Plan is the app’s homepage and a key feature, designed to highlight Common Wealth’s mission to be a lifelong retirement plan for its members.

It provides a clear, real-time view of balances, investment earnings, and progress toward retirement goals, emphasizing that this is more than just another investment account—it’s an investment in a secure future.

Key features include

• Projected Retirement Income A breakdown of expected annual income sources.
• Plan Contributions Insights into per-paycheque contributions and employer matching.

By positioning retirement as a lifelong plan, the page reinforces the value of a supported and reliable retirement experience.

Accounts

The Accounts page offers a comprehensive view of users' retirement savings, addressing key user needs while reinforcing the idea of a unified retirement plan.

Key features include

• Performance Graph A dynamic chart tracks investment performance over time, a highly requested feature that builds trust and engagement.
  
• Unified Account View Combines all account types (RRSP, TFSA, DPSP, etc.) into one cohesive view to emphasize a single retirement goal.
  
• Detailed Insights Users can explore individual accounts to see earnings, contributions, and transaction history.

Strategically designed to simplify complex financial data, this page empowers users to stay informed, make confident decisions, and view their retirement as a single, integrated journey.

Investments

Investments simplifies the concept of target date funds for Canadian users, many of whom may not have a financial background. It is designed to educate users about their investments while providing a transparent and accessible view of their portfolio.

Key features include

• Target Date Fund Overview Explains how target date funds work, showing users what they’re currently invested in, how the fund automatically adjusts risk over time, and how this aligns with their retirement goals.
  
• Portfolio Details Displays the number of units owned, the fund’s holdings, and a breakdown of recent transactions, offering users clear insights into their investment activity.
  
• Fund Options For users with access to additional funds, the page provides an intuitive entry point to explore, compare, and invest in alternative portfolios, with a guided flow for seamless decision-making.

This page combines education and functionality, empowering users to feel confident in their financial decisions while maintaining transparency and control over their investments.

Add Funds

Add Funds makes it simple for users to grow their retirement savings through two key options:

• Transfer-In Accounts Users can consolidate their retirement savings by transferring existing RRSP, TFSA, or other eligible accounts into their Common Wealth plan. This process is guided step-by-step to ensure clarity and ease of use.
  
• One-time Contributions Users can make additional contributions directly from their bank account, providing flexibility to boost their savings whenever they choose.
  Designed for convenience and transparency, this page supports users in taking proactive steps to enhance their retirement savings, aligning with their long-term financial goals.

Takeaway

The Common Wealth Mobile App demonstrates how thoughtful, user-centric design can transform complex financial tools into accessible, engaging experiences. As the sole designer, I applied responsive design principles, intuitive navigation, and clear data visualization to create a Progressive Web App that empowers users to take control of their retirement planning.

This project highlights the importance of designing for inclusivity, trust, and impact. By simplifying complex tasks and enhancing accessibility, the app exceeded user expectations, driving higher engagement and earning industry recognition. It’s a testament to the power of strategic, problem-solving design.

Email design@erinleemcdonald.com
Linkedin @erinleemcdonald
Instagram @erin.leeeeeeee