The Aspen Institute Initiative on Financial Security (Aspen IFS) is a leading policy program dedicated to helping bring about the policies and financial products that enable all Americans to save, invest, and own.

What We Believe

Savings sparks entrepreneurship, increases the gross domestic product, builds the middle class, and creates jobs for the future, but America's savings system is broken. Building a sound national savings policy is essential to empowering more Americans to succeed -- to achieve major life goals, to maintain financial security, and to do better than the previous generation.  The current method of delivering federal savings and asset-building policies through the tax code does not reach all Americans, particularly low- and moderate-income Americans. By simplifying and expanding savings incentives and products, policymakers can correct federal savings and asset-building policy deficiencies and increase personal savings, which can foster economic opportunity both at the household and national levels. 

Smart Solutions

Building Americans' household balance sheets should start with making savings easier, more automatic, and more rewarding. Although millions of working Americans currently receive little or no tax incentive to save, modest reforms to our tax code have the potential to dramatically improve their financial futures. Aspen IFS' policy report, Savings for Life: A Pathway to Financial Security for All Americans proposed four complementary savings vehicles to facilitate greater saving and asset ownership from "cradle to grave."  Aspen IFS promotes solutions that combine smart savings incentives with simple products to help Americans save early and build adequate savings to last a lifetime.

Why it Matters

The imbalance of too much debt and not enough assets fuels financial insecurity in many American households. Currently, millions of Americans work for years towards financial security without making significant headway. While income keeps workers secure on a day-to-day basis, savings and assets are what move American households and the nation to a stronger, financially secure future. Helping more Americans invest in homes, education, and savings is a smart, safe strategy for long-term economic growth and individual success.

How We Make a Difference

Bipartisan Leadership: We work with top business executives, financial and policy experts, elected officials, and community leaders to create market-based strategies to promote lifelong savings and financial success.

Pragmatic Approach: We combine real-world business analysis with public policy ideas to strengthen the economy and help families achieve the American dream. 

Turning Dialogue into Action: We convene leaders and experts to frame critical topics, bring new evidence, and propose innovative ideas to reveal areas of consensus and discord in policies related to household financial security. By advancing dialogues with top stakeholders, Aspen IFS influences policies on retirement security, financial reform, tax reform, and fiscal reform. 

Learn More: 

To receive updates about Aspen IFS and upcoming events join the Aspen IFS mailing list. For additional information about Aspen IFS, call 202.736.2910 or email ifsinfo@aspeninstitute.org.