A Shared Commitment To Financial Literacy Across The Retirement Industry

Our Impact

Financial literacy is one of those unique issues where policy meets everyday life — shaping what happens in homes, in paychecks and in the long-term security families are working to build.

In April 2026, SPARK led a national effort to elevate financial literacy from a moment of awareness to a sustained, strategic priority.

The month began with a high-profile kickoff event in Washington, D.C., where SPARK convened Treasury leadership, policymakers, and industry voices to open Financial Literacy Month with intention and a unified call to action.

To close out Financial Literacy Month, we officially recognized U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as SPARK’s 2026 Champion for Financial Literacy — underscoring a shared commitment to aligning public policy with practical tools that support financial security in everyday life.

From the kickoff luncheon with Luke Pettit and Kevin Hassett to Treasury’s Capstone Fair, the SPARK community showed up with purpose. Financial literacy isn’t a moment on the calendar. It’s a long-term commitment. The month may close. The work does not.

A Few Of Our Favorite Photos From Treasury’s Capstone Fair

Featured Speakers At Our Kickoff Luncheon

Remarks
Kevin Hassett, Director, National Economic Council

Remarks
Luke Pettit, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions

Opening Perspective
Tim Rouse, SPARK Institute

Introduction

Sébastien Page, T. Rowe Price

Closing Reflections

Tom McAndrews, MissionSquare

Explore All The Voices Who Shaped This Moment

Advancing Financial Literacy: Our Priorities

Discover how SPARK is working to improve financial outcomes for Americans — across backgrounds, across communities and at every stage of life.

Research Spotlight: Closing the Financial Literacy Gap

Findings from SPARK, in partnership with Corporate Insight, reveal stark disparities in financial knowledge among young Americans — disparities closely tied to parental education and household income. Drawing on multi-year insights of high school students, college students, and recently hired workers, this research provides one of the most comprehensive views to date of how the next generation understands money, savings and retirement readiness.

The data also point toward emerging solutions, including personalized, AI-enabled financial guidance, as promising tools to help level the playing field.

As Financial Literacy Month elevates national attention on this issue, SPARK’s research strengthens the case for action — underscoring the urgency of expanding access to high-quality financial education for every student, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Champions Of Financial Literacy: MissionSquare

As a mission-based financial services company, our commitment to delivering outstanding service, effortless technology, and quality investments sets us apart. Today, MissionSquare offers comprehensive workplace retirement plans and wealth management capabilities focused on improving financial understanding and outcomes across every life stage.

Financial Wellness And Education

Our comprehensive financial wellness support brings together digital hubs, access to financial professionals, and a broad range of tools, resources, articles, and webinars, helping individuals and their families as they navigate financial decisions across every stage of life.

Strengthening Communities Today And Tomorrow

Together with our communities and customers, we invest our expertise and resources to strengthen financial capabilities and civic-mindedness among our future leaders — cultivating financial preparedness and leadership skills that are essential to building resilient, sustainable, and thriving communities.

Champions Of Financial Literacy: T. Rowe Price

  • Sébastien Page: Financial Literacy Series

    Sébastien Page and his daughter created short financial-literacy videos to address gaps in basic money education. Starting when she was 10, the series covers core concepts like time value of money, interest, and compounding, plus money psychology, helping families and educators spark stronger financial understanding.

  • Rachel Weker: Emergency Savings

    Plan sponsors are expanding their focus from retirement savings to broader financial wellness, including emergency funds. SECURE 2.0 introduces new in‑plan and out‑of‑plan options, each with distinct advantages. Employers and advisors should weigh these approaches and consider pilot programs to evaluate their impact.

Strengthening Financial Wellness — Together

Explore industry resources and tools to help advance financial education and support financial wellness across communities.

Learn more about the industry’s outcome-focused programs to accelerate our shared mission.

Onward in our impact, together. We are just getting started!

  • Fidelity InvestmentsFidelity Financial Forward®

    Fidelity is invested in the future of youth and the communities where we live and work. Fidelity Financial Forward® is fast-tracking financial education and support for students and teachers.

    Learn More
  • Addition WealthWorkplace Financial Wellness: A Growth Opportunity for Financial Institutions

    How embedding financial wellness into the workplace enables financial institutions to deliver personalized guidance at scale and build lasting relationships with employees.

    Read Article Workplace Financial Wellness
  • Addition WealthFinancial Wellness for a Diverse, Nationwide Workforce

    ADT partners with Addition Wealth to deliver practical, high-impact financial wellness for its 13,000+ employee population — from 1:1 sessions with financial professionals to live webinars tailored to ERGs and technician teams.

    Case Study Real Impact ADT Case Study

Popular Video Resources

  • Theresa’s path to homeownership

    Lincoln Financial bringing financial wellness to life with Clarifi

    Learn More
  • Essentials by TIAA

    Essentials by TIAA is designed to bring confidence and clarity to everyday money decisions through practical tools and tips.

  • Meet Sage

    A GenAI assistant within SS&C’s Financial Wellness Center, designed to help employees navigate retirement, investing, budgeting, and more through secure, conversational, and personalized support at every life stage. Sage helps individuals take meaningful financial actions while delivering a more impactful, modern wellness and education experience.

  • Hector’s career journey

    Lincoln Financial building skills for workplace success with Congreso

    Learn More
  • SS&C financial wellness & education tools

    Financial literacy remains a critical challenge for millions of Americans, impacting long‑term retirement confidence and financial security. Judy Nelson, Head of Strategy – Global Distribution and Solutions and Retirement at SS&C shares how SS&C is helping close that gap by empowering more than one million participants through SS&C’s financial wellness and education tools.

    Industry Leaders Supporting Financial Literacy

    We thank these member companies for their generous support of SPARK’s financial literacy month kick off luncheon and shared commitment to advancing financial education and wellness. Their partnership helped bring this important conversation — and its impact — to life.