When uncertainty makes life seem unpredictable, planning can make it feel manageable
by Andrea Frossard Ms. Frossard is Chief Commercial Officer for Foresters Financial. Please visit https://www.foresters.com/en/.
According to a recent survey conducted among 2,000 U.S. adults by MarketWatch Guides, financial anxiety is mounting, with 88% stating they feel some level of financial stress, and 65% stating finances are their biggest source of stress. Further, 94% of respondents said they sacrifice their mental health to get by financially, with 92% saying financial stress has caused adverse physical effects.
Financial stress doesn’t just impact wallets; it shapes our mood, sleep, and how we function at work and at home. This stress may start with finances, but its impact permeates the mind and body and is now evolving into what’s become a broader public-health concern.
Financial literacy may be an overlooked tool to help combat the physical and emotional impact of financial stress and uncertainty. A study by FINRA during the pandemic – a time of intense stress – found that financial literacy seemed to make a difference: “Those who correctly answered three questions designed to measure basic financial literacy were less likely to feel financially anxious or stressed,” it found.
Opening New Markets Via Education
Life insurance agents – who naturally offer a product designed to provide peace of mind – have an opportunity to do even more: to help clients and potential clients address what may be harming them through raising their financial literacy.
By educating clients and prospects on fundamental financial concepts and basic money management skills to drive greater financial wellbeing, agents have an opportunity to differentiate themselves and may improve the quality of their businesses.
This approach has the potential to drive an increase in perceived value from your clients, and lead to better informed and effective decisions, including choosing the right life insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage for individuals and their families. They can also see the broader benefits life insurance can provide for different stages in life – like college funding or in retirement planning.
When Uncertainty Becomes A Health Burden
We know uncertainty is a major driver of financial stress; unfortunately, consumers face not only one but two kinds of unknowns at the same time. One is uncertainty about what to do now: how to budget, how much to save, which products to choose, and what steps to take. The other is uncertainty about what the future will bring: rising costs, unexpected bills, health issues, or changes in family responsibilities.
In other words, they need to plan for a future they cannot yet see, which can be unsettling in itself. Too many consumers feel they are stuck in an endless cycle of “what ifs.” We all know unforeseen life events are bound to happen over time, but won’t know exactly what, when, or how big an impact it may have. Without a clear way to approach this, even a small surprise can create significant anxiety. Over time, that pressure can mount and ultimately affect the quality of our lives.
When uncertainty can make life seem completely unpredictable, planning can make it feel manageable.
Financial Know-How Helps Prepare For Inevitable “What-Ifs”
Advisors should not overlook but rather embrace the opportunities in educating their clients, prospects, and younger generations…
Agents can utilize financial education to help clients plan for both kinds of uncertainty. A better understanding of the basics provides practical know-how, so clients recognize how to budget, how much to save, and how to choose appropriate tools and resources. This foundation will also enable them to think about the future in a structured way, so they can better prepare for different near- and long-term “what if” scenarios: like having emergency savings for a car repair, a higher-than-expected bill, or a few weeks of lost work; to longer-term challenges such as paying for a child’s education, caring for a parent, or protecting the family if something happens.
Where Life Insurance Fits In
In addition, providing financial education may give agents access to younger generations in client households. Another survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Doctor On Demand by Included Health, found that financial stress disproportionately impacts younger and middle-aged adults: 71% of Gen Z, 68% of Millennials, and 69% of Gen X report experiencing anxiety over finances, compared to 55% of Baby Boomers and 31% of the Silent Generation (age 80 and up).
These are the next generation of insurance buyers experiencing life events such as marriage, having children, and buying a home.
Engaging with younger demographics presents agents with an opportunity to dispel common myths around life insurance. One of the most common misconceptions is rooted in the idea of coverage being too expensive, yet younger, healthier applicants can benefit from lower premiums and commensurate coverage.
By securing coverage earlier in life, individuals can help prevent future denial or higher premiums should health issues arise unexpectedly. Securing adequate coverage can help empower younger clients, enabling them to feel more financially secure, independent and have peace of mind as they reach new life milestones – potentially easing their financial stress and its related impacts.
Engaging this audience can help agents foster new relationships and position themselves as a go-to resource throughout their clients’ financial journeys.
Linking Knowledge With Action
Financial literacy has the greatest impact when it is paired with practical solutions. Educating clients and prospects helps them understand their options and the solutions best fit for their evolving needs.
Advisors should not overlook but rather embrace the opportunities in educating their clients, prospects, and younger generations. Ask adult clients for introductions with the next generation, leverage discussions around legacy and estate planning to engage with younger cohorts and communicate frequently to facilitate an open dialogue. Find out if they’re struggling with financial stress – and explain how financial literacy may help.
When discussing life insurance, take the time to explain nuances between products and be sure clients understand the fundamentals, such as differences between Whole Life and Term insurance, cash values, benefits and other key considerations in evaluating the proper coverage.
By ensuring clients understand life insurance in the context of overall financial literacy, agents can help establish confidence by reducing their anxiety, which may lead to improved overall wellness – all while demonstrating greater value and differentiating themselves from the crowded field.
05/03/2026 • Filed Under: Home