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Retirement Income Literacy Study

Study finds improving financial literacy supports retirement wellness and confidence.

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Leading Industry Research

Wealthies Winner!

Our 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study won the WealthManagement.com Wealthies award for Industry Research Provider, marking our third consecutive year receiving this honor!

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Client Engagement Tool

Retirement Income Literacy Quiz

The 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study data proved: as a financial professional, you play an important role in educating your clients. That’s why we’re giving you access to the same quiz used in the study—so you can use it as an assessment tool and conversation-starter to deepen your client relationships.

Share the quiz with your clients today and help them prepare for a brighter tomorrow.

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2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study

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Overall View

The latest wave of the research connects financial literacy and advisor education to retirement confidence.

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Diversity View

Significant disparities exist in retirement knowledge, confidence, and financial well-being among diverse communities.

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Women’s View

Retirement knowledge, confidence, and financial well-being in women aged 50-75 lag behind men, but there's room for progress.

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Facts & Figures

31%

The overall average Retirement Income Literacy Score is only 31%.1

+11

Respondents working with a financial advisor boosted their survey scores by over 11%.1

#1

#1 Inflation is the top-ranked knowledge area.1

About the Study

Now in its 10th year, the Retirement Income Literacy Study conducted by The American College of Financial Services offers comprehensive insight and analysis into older Americans’ financial literacy in 12 knowledge areas related to retirement income—including Social Security, longevity, investments, and more. The 2023 study is the fourth wave in the body of research, which is fielded every three years since 2014. The primary research question is: Do Americans in the critical period from ages 50 to 75 know enough about retirement income to feel confident they can achieve the best possible outcomes? 
 

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Related Insights

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Center for Retirement Income

Key Retirement Income Planning Resources

The American College Center for Retirement Income is committed to raising knowledge about the issues and concepts facing Americans’ retirement. In addition to the Retirement Income Literacy Study, the Center publishes insights and research, leads in-person and live events, and creates educational curriculum to support financial professionals and benefit society.

Visit the Center
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Research Team

Eric Ludwig

PhD, CFP®

Director of the Center for Retirement Income, Program Director for the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) Program

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Kaylee Ranck

PhD

Research Director, The American College Center for Women in Financial Services

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Chet R. Bennetts

CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®

Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs

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Timi-Joy Jorgensen

Timi Joy Jorgensen

PhD

Assistant Vice President of Financial Education and Well-being

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Steve Parrish

JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®

Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services

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Michael Finke

Michael Finke

PhD, CFP®

Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security

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Domarina Oshana

PhD

Director of Research and Operations, American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services

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Eric Ludwig

PhD, CFP®

Director of the Center for Retirement Income, Program Director for the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) Program

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Kaylee Ranck

PhD

Research Director, The American College Center for Women in Financial Services

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Chet R. Bennetts

CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®

Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Timi-Joy Jorgensen

Timi Joy Jorgensen

PhD

Assistant Vice President of Financial Education and Well-being

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Steve Parrish

JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®

Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Michael Finke

Michael Finke

PhD, CFP®

Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Domarina Oshana

PhD

Director of Research and Operations, American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
footnotes

1 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study. The American College of Financial Services.