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Celebrating Financial Literacy Month: Knowledge is power

April is Financial Literacy Month, a great reminder of the importance of understanding and managing your personal finances. Whether you're just starting out or well into your career, building financial knowledge is a lifelong journey that can help you make more confident, informed decisions. From budgeting and saving to investing and planning for retirement, financial literacy empowers you to take control of your financial future. This month, we encourage you to take advantage of the many resources available to you and commit to strengthening your financial well-being — one step at a time.

Making the most of Financial Literacy Month

Financial Literacy Month is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your financial habits and take meaningful steps toward
long-term financial well-being. Below are just a few things you can do to begin your journey.

  • Create a personal budget and monitor your spending to gain a clearer understanding of your financial picture.
  • Build an emergency fund and set goals for the future as important components of your sound financial plan.
  • Take time to deepen your knowledge of credit, debt management, and investing to help make a significant difference in your financial confidence and decision-making.
  • Engage in financial education activities such as attending a webinar or spending time using an online tool.

Financial Literacy Month serves as a valuable reminder that building financial knowledge is an ongoing process — one that can lead to greater confidence, smarter decision-making, and a stronger foundation for lasting financial success.

Planning for financial milestones

From joyful milestones to life’s curveballs, change is part of the journey—and it can affect your financial plan. Taking the right steps can help you feel more prepared, less stressed, and focused on what matters most.

Five milestones to consider are:

1. Buying a home

Before making the investment, review your debt and credit history, compare mortgage options, and set a budget for any unexpected maintenance costs.

2. Getting married

As you begin your life together, take time to align on financial goals, spending habits, and the choices that will shape your future.

3. Starting a family

Welcoming a child brings new responsibilities—along with a few to-dos like adding your new dependent to your health plan, updating your beneficiaries, and saving for their future education.

4. Navigating divorce

Divorce can be emotionally and financially draining, but organizing your assets, reviewing your expenses, and seeking expert advice can help you move forward with clarity.

5. Coping with loss

Loss is hard enough. Keep beneficiary information up to date and documents organized.

Market volatility: Why financial literacy is your greatest asset

Market volatility can feel unsettling, but a strong foundation in financial literacy can help you navigate uncertain times with confidence. Understanding how markets work, the importance of diversification, and the value of a long-term investment strategy is key to making informed decisions—even when markets fluctuate. Rather than reacting to short-term market movements, financially informed investors are better equipped to stay focused on their long-term goals and make thoughtful, strategic choices. Knowledge truly is your greatest asset when markets are on the move.

Take the next step: Connect with your financial consultant today

For questions about retirement planning, schedule a meeting with a financial consultant at no additional cost.

TIAA
Visit tiaa.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353.

Voya
Visit kbor.beready2retire.com/contact-us or call 800-814-1643.

For benefits-related questions, contact your HR Benefits team.

Take action during Financial Literacy Month

We understand that every journey is unique and having the right financial education is key to help build the financial future you deserve. Be sure to check out these resources to find practical tips, expert insights, and real-world strategies for wherever you are in your life.
TIAA: Visit tiaa.org/financialessentials
Voya: Visit voya.com/individuals/learning-at-every-stage/voya-financial-literacy-knowledge-center

 

This material is for informational or educational purposes only and is not fiduciary investment advice, or a securities, investment strategy, or insurance product recommendation. This material does not consider an individual’s own objectives or circumstances, which should be the basis of any investment decision.
TIAA and Voya, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries are not affiliated with or in any way related to each other. TIAA acts as a recordkeeper for the plan and, in that capacity, is not a fiduciary to the plan. TIAA is not responsible for the advice and education provided by Voya. TIAA may also provide advice and education to plan participants. When TIAA provides advice on how to allocate investments, it takes fiduciary responsibility for that advice. Voya is not responsible for the advice and education provided by TIAA.
Insurance products, annuities, and retirement plan funding issued by (third-party administrative services may also be provided by) Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“VRIAC”), Windsor, CT. VRIAC is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Plan administrative services provided by VRIAC or Voya Institutional Plan Services LLC (“VIPS”). VIPS does not engage in the sale or solicitation of securities. All companies are members of the Voya® family of companies. Securities distributed by Voya Financial Partners LLC (Member SIPC) or third parties with which it has a selling agreement. Custodial account agreements or trust agreements are provided by Voya Institutional Trust Company. All products and services may not be available in all states.
Investment, insurance, and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value.
Investment products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature or visit tiaa.org for details.
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributes securities products. Annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY. Each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.
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