Throughout April, the Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting a number of events to help investors plan for their future as part of ‘National Financial Capability Month’. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) announced that its theme for the month is, “What does your financial future look like? Having a plan can help answer the question.”
The commission said it wants to stress the importance of creating a saving and investing plan to help investors meet their financial goals. Investor education events are being held across the country this month with various audiences, including students, underrepresented communities, older investors, and the military. Investors are also being encouraged to utilize the free tools and resources the SEC makes available to them.
“Investors turn to our capital markets every day, whether to grow a nest egg, plan for retirement, save for an education, or prepare for the inevitable bumps along the way,” said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. “To be an informed investor is to be a more effective investor, and I encourage the public to take advantage of the many resources we offer on Investor.gov.”
The SEC detailed its latest resources to inform and educate investors, including:
-April’s Financial Capability Month Investing Quiz;
-A new Guide for Older Investors;
-A Military Investor Bulletin, “Making the Most of Lump Sum Benefits”;
-An Investor Alert: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Investment Fraud”; and
-An article from OIEA Director Lori Schock, “Loud (and Proud) Budgeting May Help You Stick To Your Saving and Investing Plan”
“The loud budgeting concept can be an empowering way to take control of your financial future,” said Schock. “Creating a saving and investing plan that helps you meet your financial goals and sharing those ideals and goals with your family and friends may not only help you stay more committed to your decision-making but can provide you with support to help you stick with your plan for the long term.”
Some of the SEC’s outreach events for the month include the following:
Older Investors – As part of its ongoing Never Stop Learning initiative, OIEA leadership and staff will participate in interviews, webinars, and other events aimed at providing investor education and fraud prevention resources to older investors. SEC regional office and headquarters staff will conduct webinars and give presentations to older adults at public libraries and community centers.
High School and College Students – OIEA staff will lead financial education activities for high school and college students throughout the month. Staff members will provide lessons for students about investor education basics, avoiding scams, the importance of building wealth throughout their lifetime, and the benefits of starting young to grow their money over time.
Service Members – OIEA staff will present to service members at military installations across the country. Programs will focus on building wealth, protecting investments by recognizing and avoiding scams, and discussing the benefits of tax-advantaged retirement plans, including the military’s Thrift Savings Plan.
Community Organizations and Affinity Groups – OIEA staff will conduct “train the trainer” sessions for financial educators at the Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign of Maryland Financial Education Summit. OIEA staff will also present a Building Wealth Over Time workshop to Howard County, Maryland, community members as part of their Money Matters community event series.
The attorneys at Lewitas Hyman include former senior attorneys at the SEC whose legal experience and industry knowledge make them uniquely qualified to provide counsel on securities regulatory, compliance and enforcement matters. If your firm is facing an investigation from a regulatory agency, please contact Lewitas Hyman at (888) 655-6002 or through our online contact form.
