The financial services industry speaks a language not readily understood by all. Our young people are particularly vulnerable.
AIA Australia wrote in an article I found in the Investment Magazine stating we need to do more to engage younger generation. The financial services industry especially needs to do more to improve outcomes and meet customers’ experiences. AIA said, “As life insurers, we need to better engage with a youth audience, using clear, simple language and meaningful communication methods.”
I know as a financial adviser is constant challenge to me. It’s easy to get lost in the technical jargon so how can I engage my younger client?
The language barrier causes a disconnect and discourages people from engaging and going further. AIA wrote “What is needed is a conscious effort to address issues such as the legal tone of documents, jargon, lack of visuals and a clear checklist, lack of reliable calculator tools, having too many options, and long lists of terms and conditions.”
Failing to get a financial education at school or in the home, young people enter the workforce totally unprepared to make financial decisions, albeit while talking in an entirely different language. The lack of financial literacy causes financial institutions and advisers, to be portrayed as the Ogre: daunting and frightening, and entirely in a world of their own, and to be left alone.
AIA quotes research showing that only about 30% of Australians are aware they have life insurance in superannuation. They add when made aware of the life insurance, more than 70% see its inclusion as a real positive. Although more than 90% of the working population have some type of insurance coverage (largely within their superannuation), there is still an underinsurance issue in Australia, and equally, people may have cover and don’t need it.
Financial illiteracy is often blamed on the lack of financial education in schools. We all know more could and should be done to provide a basic understanding of finance in schools. But what’s alarming is the absence of financial education in the home. When financial issues are not discussed in the home this impacts negatively on ones’ ability to make sound financial decisions as adult.
Young people are confronted with a number of financial decisions when they leave school, but few are prepared to make decisions about insurance, credit cards, home loans and superannuation. Without basic knowledge of how financial products work, the benefits they offer and the risks they entail, they fail to see the financial challenges.
By on large, the younger generation are almost bystanders of the financial system.
Consequently, they are vulnerable and easily exploited by the shrewd mortgage broker or bank lender. We need to speak a language that educates and empowers our younger generation so they have the skills to make sound financial decisions.
If you have any questions on money matters, contact your local financial adviser or myself at Turtle Securities.
Turtle Securities Pty Ltd Dubbo NSW 2830
Christopher Turtle, Authorised Representative No. 275624 and Turtle Securities Pty Ltd is Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1281015 of InterPrac Financial Planning Pty Ltd (AFSL 246638)
Call Chris Turtle: 0487 181 676
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