When I started in financial services over 20 years ago, I quickly noticed something that troubled me: most people didn’t truly understand their retirement options. They had jobs, they had savings, maybe they had a 401(k) or IRA—but when it came to knowing how to turn those resources into lasting retirement income, many were lost.
That’s why, from the very beginning of my career, I’ve been passionate about financial education. Whether it was sitting down with clients one-on-one, hosting programming on Arizona PBS, or speaking at industry events, my goal has always been the same: simplify the complicated and give people the confidence to make better decisions about their future.
The truth is, financial literacy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the missing link in retirement planning.
The Problem With Complexity
Retirement planning has become more complex over the years, not less. Traditional pensions have largely disappeared, Social Security faces uncertainty, and people are living longer than ever. At the same time, the number of financial products available has multiplied, each with its own fine print and moving parts.
For the average person, trying to make sense of it all is overwhelming. Too often, they either delay making decisions, or they rely on incomplete information and end up with strategies that don’t meet their needs. Neither outcome is good.
This complexity is exactly why financial literacy is so critical. When people understand the basics—what risk really means, how income streams work, why inflation matters—they can cut through the noise and start seeing solutions more clearly.
Lessons From PBS
Hosting a retirement-planning series on Arizona PBS gave me a front-row seat to the hunger people have for financial education. We weren’t selling products. We weren’t pitching services. We were simply walking through real-life retirement scenarios in plain English.
The response was eye-opening. Viewers wrote in to say it was the first time they finally understood annuities, or how to calculate income needs, or why taxes mattered in retirement. Many told me they wished they had access to that information years earlier.
That experience confirmed something I already believed: education is empowerment. When you give people the knowledge, they take action with confidence.
Shifting the Role of the Advisor
Financial advisors have an incredible opportunity to be educators first, and salespeople second. The advisor of the future isn’t just someone who can recommend a product—it’s someone who can translate complex financial strategies into a clear roadmap.
At Secure Income Management (SIM), we’ve built our entire approach around this belief. Our platform doesn’t just process transactions; it explains them. Advisors using our tools can show clients, in real time, how different strategies affect their long-term income. They can toggle assumptions, compare scenarios, and answer “what if” questions on the spot.
When clients see and understand the impact of their choices, they’re not just nodding along—they’re engaged in the process. That’s how real trust is built.
Financial Literacy as a Community Responsibility
It’s not enough to leave financial education to individual advisors or firms. We need a broader, community-wide effort. Just as we teach math, science, and history in schools, we should be teaching financial basics. Too many young adults graduate knowing how to solve algebra problems but not how to budget, invest, or plan for retirement.
Community organizations, nonprofits, and even local governments can play a role. Workshops, seminars, and public programming all make a difference. The more touchpoints people have with financial literacy, the more prepared they are to take control of their future.
At SIM, we partner with organizations in Arizona to promote financial education initiatives. But I believe this movement has to grow nationally. Stronger financial literacy leads to stronger families, stronger communities, and ultimately, a stronger economy.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
We’re at a unique moment in history. Millions of Baby Boomers are retiring, often with less guaranteed income than previous generations. At the same time, younger generations are facing new challenges—student debt, rising housing costs, and the pressure of saving for retirement earlier.
Technology and access to information are powerful tools, but they can also create confusion. The internet is full of advice, much of it conflicting or biased. That’s why guided, unbiased education is more important than ever. People need a trusted source to help them separate fact from fiction.
If we fail to bridge the financial literacy gap, the consequences will be real: retirees running out of money, families unprepared for emergencies, and communities strained by financial insecurity. But if we succeed, we can rewrite the future for millions of households.
The Path Forward
For me, the mission is personal. I’ve seen the difference financial literacy makes—not only in numbers on a page, but in the peace of mind it gives families. A client who understands their plan sleeps better at night. An advisor who embraces education builds longer, stronger relationships. A community that prioritizes financial literacy creates resilience for generations to come.
That’s why I’ll continue to advocate for clear, accessible education—through our firm, through media, and through partnerships that extend beyond the industry.
Retirement planning doesn’t have to be a mystery. With the right education, it can be a path forward filled with confidence, clarity, and security. And if we, as leaders in this industry, commit to putting education at the center of what we do, I believe we can make that future a reality for every American.