Given the growing interest in a privatized Social Security system and the lack of adequate
retirement planning among many people in the United States, many households are often
iU prepared for retirement. The outlook for low-income populations is even bleaker because
they are often not privy to the same financial education and asset-building opportunities
afforded to middle- and upper-income households. One way to help low-income
individuals to obtain a head start on retirement planning is to make fmancial education
and asset-building opportunities more readily available for youths. Social workers can help
formulate youth retirement planning policy and program initiatives. This article reviews
retirement planning trends, historical asset-building initiatives, and financial education
programs in the United States and sets forth a proposal to expand on current social
policy and program initiatives for youths to increase long-term financial planning among
underserved populations.
KEY WORDS: asset building;financial education; poverty; retirement planning^; youths