SEC Highlights Financial Independence Tools During April Financial Literacy Month
The Securities and Exchange Commission is spotlighting financial planning resources on Investor.gov throughout April for National Financial Literacy Month. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins emphasized the importance of early investing, living within one's means, and building an emergency fund. The agency is also hosting outreach events for military members, veterans, older adults, teachers, and students.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FinancialLiteracy_Final_4196456-74c34377122d43748ed63ef46a285116.jpg)
The Securities and Exchange Commission is using April's National Financial Literacy Month to push Americans toward better investing habits, spotlighting free tools and resources on its Investor.gov website.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said the agency wants to help Americans build a strong financial foundation. He pointed to compound growth as one of the most powerful tools available to everyday investors, especially those who start early.
"Investing consistently in a long-term, diversified, risk-appropriate plan is one of the most important steps anyone can take," Atkins said in the agency's announcement.
The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance is running outreach events throughout April. These include presentations for military service members and veterans, webinars for older adults focused on investor education and fraud prevention, and financial education activities for teachers and students.
The agency is also featuring an Investor Bulletin titled "Investor.gov Tips for 2026" and a Financial Literacy Month Quiz on its website.
Key financial principles the SEC is promoting include starting to invest early, living within one's means, paying down high-interest debt, and maintaining an emergency fund.
April is recognized as Financial Literacy Month across the country. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially proclaimed April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month in the state, highlighting budgeting, saving, credit management, and retirement planning as core focus areas.
A 2026 survey by U.S. News and World Report found that about 44 percent of consumers rely on family and friends for financial guidance. Nearly 31 percent do not seek any financial guidance at all. A National Financial Literacy Test found an average score of 67.4 percent, with 42.4 percent of participants scoring below 70 percent.
SoFi Technologies is also running a "Future Wealth Summit" campus tour at more than 30 colleges and universities, with a flagship event at Rutgers University on April 24.
