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Financial Literacy and Financial Education: Review and Policy Implications

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  • Annamaria Lusardi

Abstract

In recent years, as workers have gained an unprecedented degree of control over their pensions and savings, the importance of financial literacy and financial education has increased considerably. Large changes in the structure of financial markets, labor markets, and demographics in developed countries have led to this change. Consumers have a bewildering array of complex financial products – from reverse mortgages to annuities – to choose from, making saving decisions increasingly complex. Knowledge about the working of compound interest rates, the effects of inflation, and the working of financial markets is essential to make saving decisions. Several initiatives have been undertaken to improve financial literacy. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) comprehensively defines financial education as 'the process by which financial consumers/investors improve their understanding of financial products and concepts and, through information, instruction and/or objective advice, develop the skills and confidence to become more aware of financial risks and opportunities, to make informed choices, to know where to go for help, and to take other effective actions to improve their financial well-being.' Building upon this definition, I provide a review of the current state of financial literacy and financial education programs, and discuss whether workers possess the financial literacy necessary to process information and formulate saving plans.

Suggested Citation

  • Annamaria Lusardi, 2006. "Financial Literacy and Financial Education: Review and Policy Implications," NFI Policy Briefs 2006-PB-11, Indiana State University, Scott College of Business, Networks Financial Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:nfi:nfipbs:2006-pb-11
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    Cited by:

    1. Sharon Tennyson, 2011. "Consumers’ Insurance Literacy," NFI Policy Briefs 2011-PB-06, Indiana State University, Scott College of Business, Networks Financial Institute.
    2. Meier, Stephan & Sprenger, Charles D., 2013. "Discounting financial literacy: Time preferences and participation in financial education programs," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 159-174.
    3. Tatom, John, 2010. "Financial wellbeing and some problems in assessing its link to financial education," MPRA Paper 26411, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Thi Anh Nhu Nguyen, "undated". "Financing Constraints On Smes In Emerging Markets: Does Financial Literacy Matter?," Review of Socio - Economic Perspectives 201711, Reviewsep.
    5. Brian Lucey & Michael Daly, 2013. "What Do The Irish Know About Economics," The Institute for International Integration Studies Discussion Paper Series iiisdp432, IIIS.
    6. Alfonso Arellano & Noelia Camara & David Tuesta, 2014. "The effect of self-confidence on financial literacy," Working Papers 1428, BBVA Bank, Economic Research Department.
    7. Eurico J. Ferreira & Concetta A. DePaolo & Harry Edward Gallatin, 2011. "Assessing Finance Literacy Teaching at Indiana State University," NFI Working Papers 2011-WP-24, Indiana State University, Scott College of Business, Networks Financial Institute.
    8. Azra Zaimovic & Anes Torlakovic & Almira Arnaut-Berilo & Tarik Zaimovic & Lejla Dedovic & Minela Nuhic Meskovic, 2023. "Mapping Financial Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review of Determinants and Recent Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-30, June.
    9. Mohammed Ahmar Uddin, 2017. "Microinsurance in India: Insurance literacy and demand," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 13(2), pages 182-191, May.
    10. Andrea Hetling & Judy L. Postmus & Cecilia Kaltz, 2016. "A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Financial Literacy Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 672-685, December.
    11. Uddin, Mohammed Ahmar, 2017. "Microinsurance in India: Insurance literacy and demand," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center (PRADEC), vol. 13(2).

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