AARP Eye Center
Financial Literacy Insights from Oregon Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner & AARP Oregon
Financial Literacy Month is in April—but the importance of understanding money doesn’t end there. For many Oregonians, especially those aged 50 and older, financial literacy is a vital tool for independence, confidence, and peace of mind.
A Foundation for the Life You Want
“Financial literacy helps enable you to live the life that you want,” said Joyce De Monnin, who led AARP Oregon’s financial security efforts for over a decade and currently serves on the Oregon Retirement Savings Board. “It’s easy to be sidelined by distractions or stressful life events. Without a plan, people often harm their future selves without realizing it.”
De Monnin speaks from experience. Like many, she didn’t receive much financial guidance in her early years. It wasn’t until a friend stepped in with practical advice that she began to truly understand concepts like “paying yourself first” and the power of compound interest. Today, she encourages Oregonians of all ages to take a proactive approach: “Even if you start later, it can still make a big difference.”
Tools for Today and Tomorrow
Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner echoes that sentiment and has made financial wellness a central pillar of her administration.
“Our goal at Treasury is simple: improve the financial wellness of every Oregonian, at every stage of life, in every community. Financial empowerment – knowing how you can manage your money to achieve your goals and to safeguard your assets – is a core to our work,” Treasurer Steiner explained in written responses shared with AARP.
Among the state’s resources is the Oregon Financial Wellness Clearinghouse, accessible through 211info.org, where residents can find information on budgeting, taxes, retirement, and more. And for those who take an online financial class through the Clearinghouse, there’s a bonus: a $50 credit toward opening an Oregon College Savings Plan account.
Treasurer Steiner is also a champion of financial education for youth. Starting with the graduating class of 2027, Oregon will require high school students to complete a personal finance course—a significant step forward after two decades without the requirement.
“I think it was a mistake to stop requiring this important subject for the past two decades. It’s not easy to avoid scams and manage money wisely when you have the education and skills – and it’s exponentially harder when you don’t,” wrote Treasurer Steiner.
Reaching Working Oregonians
Stacey Triplett, Director of Advocacy and Engagement at AARP Oregon, is leading innovative efforts to reach Oregonians before retirement.
“AARP Oregon is piloting ways to engage people who are still working and get them thinking about their income mix in retirement,” Triplett explained. One such initiative, the Very Vested Celebration, brings financial planning conversations into social settings—making it easier and more comfortable for people to engage.
Triplett also points to programs like OregonSaves, the nation’s first state-based automatic retirement savings program for workers without employer-sponsored plans. With more than $300 million already saved, OregonSaves is helping thousands build financial security.
For those who are unsure where to start, Triplett recommends checking out interactive tools from AARP, like the Social Security calculator or the videos that break down retirement planning and basics in user-friendly terms.
Building Resilience with the Right Resources
When asked how older adults can protect themselves from fraud and manage retirement savings, Treasurer Steiner says that “more than $10 billion was stolen by scammers last year. It’s frustrating, it’s criminal, and it's epidemic – but it’s also preventable.”
She recommends signing up for the Oregon Department of Justice Scam Alert Network and following the Treasury’s website and social media for ongoing education and alerts. The AARP Fraud Watch Network is also an invaluable resource for staying informed and protected. Available to everyone—whether you're an AARP member or not—the Fraud Watch Network offers free tools, tips, and real-time alerts about the latest scams targeting Oregonians.
Meanwhile, De Monnin offers down-to-earth advice: start small, set achievable goals, and track your spending—even for just a few months. “You’ll begin to see where the leaks are in your money,” she said. “That awareness can be life-changing.”
Education, Access, Empowerment
Looking forward, Treasurer Steiner is focused on expanding access and awareness of savings tools, including 529 plans for college and career training, and advocating against policies—like unnecessary tariffs—that put additional financial pressure on families. Their concerns are backed up by the 2025 Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard, released earlier this year by the Oregon State Treasury, which found that 56% of respondents struggle to cover their monthly expenses and pay all their bills.
As Treasurer Steiner put it: “Financial instability strains families’ health, limits possibilities, and saps the economic potential of the whole community. We can do more—and we must.”
AARP Oregon agrees. Financial literacy isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have. And thanks to strong state leadership and dedicated community advocates, Oregonians are better equipped than ever to build the futures they deserve.
Resources:
Oregon Financial Wellness Clearinghouse
Access a variety of financial resources, including budgeting, retirement, and tax information: 211info.org
Oregon College Savings Plan
Start saving for college and career training with an Oregon College Savings Plan: Oregon College Savings Plan
OregonSaves
Learn more about Oregon's automatic retirement savings program for workers without employer-sponsored plans: OregonSaves
AARP Social Security Tools
Use these interactive tool to help understand Social Security benefits: AARP Social Security Tools
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Protect yourself from scams with free tools and real-time alerts: AARP Fraud Watch Network
Oregon Department of Justice Scam Alert Network
Sign up for alerts on the latest scams affecting Oregonians: Oregon DOJ Scam Alerts
Financial Literacy Resources from AARP
Explore a range of articles and videos on retirement planning and financial basics: AARP Financial Resources
About AARP Oregon
Contact information and more from your state office. Learn what we are doing to champion social change and help you live your best life.