News You Should Know: 39 States Now Require Personal Finance Education

More States Require Personal Finance Courses as Financial Literacy Lags | Planadviser

There’s been a trend in recent years of states passing legislation requiring personal finance education for high school graduation. As of the end of 2025, 39 states—including Colorado—now have a statewide financial literacy requirement in place.

401(k) Hardship Withdrawals Hit Record High — But Investments Still Up | Axios

The number of American workers requesting hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) accounts hit a new high last year, according to a report from Vanguard. The increase in withdrawals could be due to increased financial pressure as well as legislation that made it easier to withdraw money. At the same time, a separate report found account balances were up in 2025.

Trump Accounts: A Primer for Parents | Center for Retirement Research

Beginning later this year, parents will be able to open so-called “Trump accounts” to jumpstart their children’s savings. The accounts come with a $1,000 starting contribution, and like other savings accounts, they also come with a number of rules and regulations around who can open an account, who can contribute and how much, and when distributions are allowed.

The Unappreciated and Underused Saver’s Credit | American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries

Many workers are unaware of the Saver’s Credit, which allows eligible individuals to receive a tax credit for a portion of their contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. The maximum credit is $1,000 for individuals ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) and workers must meet income requirements in order to claim the credit.

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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.