U.S. Adults Score 52% on 2026 Finance Index as USF, Fed Push Literacy
Updated
Updated · WMNF · Aug 6
U.S. Adults Score 52% on 2026 Finance Index as USF, Fed Push Literacy
1 articles · Updated · WMNF · Aug 6
Summary
American adults answered only 52% correctly on the 2026 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, failing more than half the benchmark questions as U.S. financial literacy kept sliding over the past decade.
Leo Chen, a finance instructor at the University of South Florida, said the decline reflects weak planning and limited understanding, leaving people poorly prepared for long-term financial decisions.
USF and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta are working to raise financial knowledge among young adults after finding high school financial literacy fell short of expectations.
Chen said earlier planning is critical, arguing Americans often wait until their 40s to prepare for retirement even though saving can begin as early as age 18.