About
Adult Financial Education Services

Who Is Adult Financial Education Services

The AFES Retirement Planning courses provide an educational framework to help you plan for your retirement. In each of our courses, we examine various investment choices, highlighting the potential benefits and risks. Since circumstances vary by individual, one size does not fit everyone’s investment needs. Therefore, students are provided resources to help them understand how to align their investment strategies with their individual goals. Students are taught how to construct a flexible financial strategy that can be adapted as their goals or market conditions change.

Our curriculum explores a broad range of financial strategies, offering an alternative perspective to traditional industry models. Our instructors are active financial professionals trained to deliver objective education designed to improve student literacy regarding investment types and planning concepts. Throughout our courses, students learn to evaluate how different strategies may align with various financial goals and risk tolerances. We emphasize a disciplined approach focused on long-term stability and liquidity to help meet future needs.

The AFES Mission

The Dodd-Frank Act updated the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) in 2010. The FLEC is comprised of the heads of 22 agencies and the White House Domestic Policy Council. The statutory purpose of the FLEC is to improve the financial literacy and education of persons in the U.S. through the development of a national strategy to promote financial literacy and education (Source- 1). Research referenced by Congress suggests a lack of understanding and knowledge of financial concepts, highlighting the need for financial literacy education for adults.(1)

Adult Financial Education Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, is dedicated to supporting the financial literacy of adults 50 and over. The courses of study were developed to help students learn financial terms, concepts, and strategies in a classroom setting, equipping them with the tools to help make informed decisions about their financial future.

AFES instructors are comprised of licensed insurance and financial professionals who serve as financial advisors, insurance, and investment specialists. Our goal is to provide high-quality financial education to help students understand their finances and make informed financial decisions for their retirement years by understanding the roles that bank assets, life insurance/annuities, and securities play in balancing risk, growth, and income.

Sources 1: Congressional Research Service. “The U.S. Economy: A Primer.” Oct. 14, 2021.
(Report No. R46941). https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46941.

Course Outline: Maximizing Social Security

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Maximizing Social Security is a course designed for those looking for options in when and how to take their Social Security. Social Security is one of the most valuable and least understood benefits available to retirees today. Advanced planning is essential, and the decisions made have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits you receive over your lifetime.

Course Description

This course provides a fundamental working knowledge of the Social Security program as it applies to retirement planning. You will be able to explore information that addresses the complexities of navigating the system, the potential costs of planning mistakes, common benefit decision scenarios, the treatment of inflation and taxes, and much more.

This course may provide you information necessary to help make sound decisions regarding Social security benefits.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to provide you with the tools, insight, and strategies that will help you make informed decisions about Social Security so that you can help maximize your benefit.

By the end of this course, you should be able to understand:

  • The complexities of the system and why it’s crucial to make the right claiming decisions.
  • The role Social Security plays in your overall retirement income.
  • The monetary consequences and benefits of claiming early versus delaying.
  • The key spousal decisions and benefits surrounding marriage, divorce, and death.
  • How your benefit is structured to help hedge against inflation, but potentially adds to your tax liabilities.

Why Attend One Of Our Courses?

Our courses are designed to give you real, unbiased financial knowledge—taught by professionals who actually work in the industry so you can make confident, well-informed decisions about your money. But don’t take our word for it, just read a few testimonials from some of our own students.

“Even my 25 year old daughter would benefit so they could compare what they are doing.”

- J. Russell, Indiana

“Opened my eyes to prospects after retirement. I think that this class is a must for our finances today.”

- M. O'Neil, Indiana

“A real eye-opener. It gave me some options I didn’t previously know about and made the topic something I can now much better deal with!”

- M. Lathan, Illinois

“Very detailed, material is easy to read and understand.”

- D. Hawkins, Indiana

“I was at a loss as to how I should proceed after retirement. I am getting the help I need.”

- B. Nedd, Brooklyn NY

“This course helped me gain a fresh perspective on my finances.”

- B. Blaine, Illinois

“I wanted a general explanation of tools and strategies used in successful retirement planning. I have a better idea of how to apply these tools/strategies to my own planning.”

- P. Bell, Brooklyn, NY

“Very informative. Explained things well. Gave more options for investing that we didn’t know about.”

- S. Hesler, Indiana

“Gave me much to think about!”

- D. Kern, Arkansas

“Gave me a direction to review. Have been unhappy with previous advisors that don’t listen to my needs. Need to feel I am working toward a retirement goal. Have already recommended this class to friends.”

- K. Kirkman, Indiana

“I came into this class knowing absolutely nothing about investing. I have a 401k I need to do something with upon leaving my job. I’m still very green about all of this, but I do feel I’ve learned a lot.”

- K. Mulvaney, Indiana

“Truthfully, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m very glad we came!”

- W. Melssen, Illinois