Many workers don't realize how important it is to get an early start on saving for retirement. This Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration video provides information for workers about the importance of saving for retirement and how to get started. The video also has links to additional online tools to help workers take full advantage of their employer-sponsored benefits.

Many workers aren't aware of the laws that protect their health benefits. This Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration video provides information for workers about their health care rights. The video also has links to additional information to help workers take full advantage of their employer-sponsored benefits.

A 24-page cooperative publication of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Federal Citizen Information Center, U.S. General Services Administration. The publication discusses “red flags,” taken from a CFP Board survey of situations where a consumer had been taken advantage of by a financial advisor. Each of these red flags: 1. Identifies a common situation where consumers may be victimized. 2. Describes the warning signs of fraud or abuse. Shares real-life situations in which consumers were abused. 4. Shows what consumers can do to protect themselves.

This publication has a lot of information to help individuals take charge of their retirement planning. Written for workers who are 10 to 15 years from retirement, it will help you calculate your income, savings and likely expenses in retirement to get a better idea of whether you are on track. The publication provides tips to help you close any savings gap and to make your money last through your retirement. The online worksheets do the calculations for you. For the Spanish publication click here.

It’s that time of year -- the time to ring out the old and ring in the new, to ditch bad habits and replace them with good ones. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy can’t guarantee you’ll lose weight, or become a better human being, but we can give you some suggestions to help you whip your finances into shape.

This report identifies patterns of investor behavior, including common investing mistakes, based on a comprehensive review of academic journal articles by the Library of Congress. Learn how to understand and avoid investing behaviors that can undermine investment performance, such as trading frequently, underdiversifying, and focusing on past performance.

Dealing with personal finances can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for people just beginning to manage money on their own.  This publication helps young adults — including those just starting a career or a family and others still in school — take control of their finances.

This edition of Community Developments Investments, a publication authored by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, is dedicated to national initiatives encouraging bank participation in financial literacy efforts.  Articles featured in the publication identify programs (America Saves, Bank on Cities, the Department of Treasury’s Community Financial Access Pilot, and Operation Hope) targeted at the unbanked and underserved markets that promote effective money management through partnerships with banks.

FDIC Consumer News is a quarterly publication that provides practical financial tips and information. The article Shopping for a CD: Be Informed, Be Safe provides helpful tips on selecting a certificate of deposit.

Money Smart curriculum -- a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help individuals outside the financial mainstream develop financial skills and positive banking relationships.
Portable Audio (MP3) version is the FDIC's Money Smart Podcast Network  (MSPN). MSPN covers topics such as the basics of borrowing money wisely, using a  spending plan to achieve financial goals, and how to effectively use banking products.

This publication, issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, highlights the efforts of national banks and other financial institutions-along with other nonprofit and government partners-to help promote the use of EITCs in their communities. The report aims to increase the public’s awareness of the EITC and provides examples of programs that facilitate education, open accounts, and provide other services to low-income wage earners and small businesses.

Don’t know what a credit union is?  At this site you can go to a brochure that describes a credit union and explains member benefits.

Not sure if a credit union is a good fit?  At this site you can go to a brochure that describes a credit union's structure, operation and benefits for members.

Here's where you can find a credit union online.  You can search for a credit union by name, city, state, or type of membership.

This publication describes what you should know about overdrafts, overdrafts protection coverage plan, bound coverage plan and more.

With the Savings Bond Wizard®, you can:

• Manage your savings bonds.
• Print your savings bond inventory.
• Find the redemption value of your bonds.
• Find the interest your bonds have earned.

TreasuryDirect offers a 21st century option for payroll savings, using a simple direct deposit (or payroll) deduction that is just like any other direct deposit deduction.  TreasuryDirect is an easy way for you to save on a regular basis by purchasing electronic Treasury securities.

We may be holding money for you!  Maybe we mailed you an interest payment but it was returned as undeliverable.  Maybe your savings bond or Treasury security has matured and you don't know it, so you haven't cashed it in.  Treasury Hunt can help.  The easy-to-use application will help you learn the status of your savings bonds issued since 1974 that have reached final maturity, most registered Treasury notes, and most registered Treasury bonds.  

If you only look at the rate your savings bonds are earning, they may not seem like a competitive investment at first. But when you factor in all the tax advantages, your bonds are earning more than you think.

If you are starting a new job, this publication provides tips to help you save for your long-term goals in addition to your short-term goals.  If you start saving now, the money will have years to grow and you'll have a better chance of being able to do all the things you want to do in the future. Plus, by starting early, you will need to save a lot less later on.

Wi$eUp is a financial education project that provides information on achieving financial security targeted to Generations X and Y women.  Topics in the Wi$eUp curriculum include setting financial goals, budgeting, money math, saving, credit, protecting your identity, insurance, investing, parenting for financial literacy, retirement and estate planning.  The curriculum is complemented by an “Ask the Experts” feature and a teleconference call series.

The Federal Ballpark Estimate is a savings goal worksheet.  The Federal Ballpark Estimate is modeled on the Ballpark Estimated developed in partnership with the American Savings Education Council (ASEC).  It is tailored to include the retirement benefits of Federal employees.  You can use the Federal Ballpark Estimate to automatically calculate estimates of future Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement benefits and Thrift Savings Plan account balances.  It will also let you know how well you are doing in meeting your savings goal.

This easy-to-understand publication starts you on the way to setting goals and putting your retirement high on the list of personal priorities.  This booklet will help clarify your retirement goals and help you make saving for retirement and other goals a habit.  You’ll learn that there is no such thing as starting too early or too late.
For Spanish article click here.

More and more employees are saving and investing for retirement through 401(k) plans. The information contained in this booklet answers some common questions about the fees and expenses that may be paid by your 401(k) plan. It highlights the most common fees and can help you make informed investment decisions. 

A comprehensive financial education curriculum to teach those ages 12-20 the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions.  Money Smart for Young Adults can help young people in their formative years start positive habits early such as saving money and budgeting, as well as avoid making "wrong" decisions that could result in years of financial pain.  The curriculum is available free of charge; orders can be placed online.   For additional information call toll-free 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342); hearing impaired 1-800-4618.

As a teen, you're beginning to make some grown-up decisions about how to save and spend your money. That's why learning the right ways to manage money...right from the start...is important. Here are suggestions.