April Is National Financial Literacy Month: Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Grade Themselves a C
April is National Financial Literacy Month, designated by the U.S. Senate. A 2026 survey found that nearly half of U.S. adults would give themselves a C grade in financial literacy, and only 38% of Gen Z say they understand their money.
April is National Financial Literacy Month, a designation by the U.S. Senate aimed at raising awareness about smart money management.
A 2026 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling found that nearly half of U.S. adults would give themselves a C grade in financial literacy. Data from WalletHub shows that financial literacy decreases with younger generations, with only 38% of Gen Z saying they understand their money.
A separate 2026 Financial Literacy Survey found that about 44% of consumers rely on family and friends for financial guidance. Nearly 31% do not seek any financial guidance at all. About 29% of consumers do not track their spending, a figure that rises to 38% for those earning under $20,000 annually.
The Financial Literacy and Education Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, is updating the U.S. National Strategy for Financial Literacy in 2026. The public comment period for the update closed April 6.
A new initiative called Trump Accounts is set to launch in July 2026. These are tax-advantaged investment accounts for U.S. citizens under 18, designed to give young people real-world investing experience.
The Council for Economic Education reports that 88% of high school graduates believe financial education is as important as or more important than traditional core subjects.
