Skip to content

Research Study

Measuring whether AI-driven planning improves retirement decisions

The Foundation's flagship research initiative is a 500-household longitudinal study measuring whether AI-conversational retirement planning produces better decisions than static calculators or no tools at all. The study is designed for peer-reviewed publication, IRB-compliant from the outset, and co-led by a PhD researcher in personal finance / behavioral economics.

Research question

Does conversational AI meaningfully improve financial self-efficacy and retirement-decision quality compared to static calculators, for households approaching retirement (ages 55–70)?

Study design

  • Cohort. 500 households, ages 55–70, recruited through Foundation channels (community seminars, partner organizations, referral networks).
  • Arms. Treatment (AI-conversational planning via Foundation tools) vs. control (static calculator + reading materials).
  • Duration. 18 months, with baseline + wave-1 + wave-2 measurement.
  • Primary outcomes. CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale delta; documented retirement-decision changes (claiming age, conversion choices, Medicare enrollment timing); decision-confidence ratings.
  • Secondary outcomes. Tool engagement metrics, scenario-completion rates, recall of decision-relevant facts.

Compliance and ethics

  • IRB approval through the PhD Co-PI's home institution
  • Informed consent for all participants
  • Anonymized data export for analysis (no PII in the research dataset)
  • Audit-logged consent tracking
  • Data retention per IRB protocol

Funding and partners

The study is grant-funded with target support from NEFE, FINRA Foundation, and TIAA Institute. PhD Co-PI selection and study launch are coordinated with these funders.

Publication

All findings — positive, null, or negative — will be published openly. The Foundation does not have publication-positive bias and explicitly commits to publishing null results if observed. Publication targets include peer-reviewed journals (Journal of Consumer Finance, Financial Planning Review) and broad dissemination through the funders' channels.

Status

Pre-formation: study protocol drafted; Co-PI search active; IRB submission prepared; baseline cohort recruitment begins post-501(c)(3). For research collaboration inquiries, see Academic Partners or contact the Foundation.