Is Technology Everything? Did We Ever Think It Was?

The technology arms race for the financial attention of individuals and employees has never been greater.  Not a day goes by that I do not see another press release or receive an email about how some financial services company is introducing a new website, or new tool, or new behavioral finance gobblegook that will revolutionize the way Americans “save and prepare for their retirement.”

To believe the hype is to believe that the average American is more engaged and prepared than ever before to save confidently on his journey to financial nirvana.  Is that how it is?
According to some new research by the National Association of Retirement Plan Participants, an organization that makes “financial information transparent and universally accessible for the 145 million working Americans” we are still a wee bit away from nirvana.

Despite the plethora of new tools offered by financial institutions, it appears that only 11% of people have any generalized level of trust in them. Additionally, despite all these new tools, only 43% of employees are satisfied with the education services provided by their 401k provider and engagement is decreasing across all channels of website usage.  Only 18% of employees feel comfortable planning for retirement, and only 33% of them have even tried to reduce debt or make a budget.

What the heck is going on here?!  We are living in a golden age of new tools for people and across all mediums the tools are being used less and less resulting in greater financial stress and less confidence.  The problem?  Technology alone is not the solution.

Technology is part of the answer, but it can never be expected to be the total solution.  When I see all these new tools, I concede they are great.  But by themselves, they are only a starting point.  Financial planning, indeed life, is too complicated to expect people to turn en mass to only electronic tools for answers.  
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A better solution?  Pair these marvelous tools with a competent and skilled financial advisor if you really want to move the needle.   The combination of advisor and technology can really deliver some powerful results.  Want to learn how?  Give me a call to discuss!