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Abstract:
Financial education offers a critical opportunity to improve adults’ financial well-being, but effectiveness depends on programs grounded in adult learning principles and evidence-based practices. Andragogy, the framework guiding adult education, emphasizes the differences between adult and younger learners. Adults approach financial education with distinct characteristics shaped by life experiences, prior knowledge, and intrinsic goals. Foundational steps to develop effective financial education programs include needs assessment, theory-driven planning, piloting, and evaluation to ensure fidelity and continuous improvement. Recommended features, including unbiased, accessible content, cultural relevance, and clear success measures, combined with strategies that foster confidence, knowledge, and actionable behaviors, are essential for impact. This article provides practitioners with insights for designing initiatives that not only disseminate knowledge but also support meaningful, sustainable behavior change.