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Presentation Format and Financial Literacy: Accessibility and Assessability of Retirement Savings Statements

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  • F. Douglas Foster
  • Juliana Ng
  • Marvin Wee

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="joca12087-abs-0001"> While increased financial literacy may improve individual retirement savings decisions, modifying the placement of key information in retirement savings statements can produce further improvements. We examined the extent to which placement of information and financial literacy affected the accessibility of information for individuals and assisted in their financial decision making. We also disaggregated financial literacy into numeracy and knowledge to identify key drivers. Using an experimental design, we find the increased salience resulting from modifying the presentation format improved participants' ability to locate important information (accessibility) and to evaluate the relative performance of funds (assessability). However, the incremental benefits of placement are only found for individuals with moderate numeracy skills. We conclude there is value accruing from financial literacy programs as advocated by regulators, but suggest additional benefits may be reaped from focusing on numeracy skills and from using presentation formats that improve information accessibility and assessability.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Douglas Foster & Juliana Ng & Marvin Wee, 2015. "Presentation Format and Financial Literacy: Accessibility and Assessability of Retirement Savings Statements," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(3), pages 519-549, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jconsa:v:49:y:2015:i:3:p:519-549
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    2. Peter de Goeij & Geert Van Campenhout & Marjana SubotiÄ, 2018. "Improving Index Mutual Fund Risk Perception: Increase Financial Literacy or Communicate Better?," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 47(2-3), pages 519-552, July.
    3. Rey-Ares, Lucía & Fernández-López, Sara & Castro-González, Sandra & Rodeiro-Pazos, David, 2021. "Does self-control constitute a driver of millennials’ financial behaviors and attitudes?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    4. Sebastian Bachler & Felix Holzmeister & Michael Razen & Matthias Stefan, 2021. "The Impact of Presentation Format and Choice Architecture on Portfolio Allocations: Experimental Evidence," Working Papers 2021-15, Faculty of Economics and Statistics, Universität Innsbruck.
    5. Arvid O. I. Hoffmann & Leonora Risse, 2020. "Do good things come in pairs? How personality traits help explain individuals' simultaneous pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and financially responsible behavior," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 1082-1120, September.
    6. Geoffrey Kingston & Susan Thorp, 2019. "Superannuation in Australia: A Survey of the Literature," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 95(308), pages 141-160, March.

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