World Investor Week is a global campaign promoted by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection. During October 7-13, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (national coordinator), Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, National Futures Association, Securities Investor Protection Corporation, North American Securities Administrators Association and supporters are working together with interested government agencies, localities, and organizations to promote World Investor Week 2024 (WIW 2024) and its goals in the United States.
Never Stop Learning
No matter your age, we can all learn something about investing. When it comes to creating a plan to help you meet your financial goals and investing for a strong financial future, everyone can learn something – no matter your age or generation. Sharing knowledge and having a conversation with your family members can make talking about finances more comfortable.
With arising technologies and new digital tools making it easier and quicker to invest, it’s important that investors do their homework in order to make better informed decisions and avoid fraud. Hype around emerging technologies, such as AI (artificial intelligence), finfluencers, social media forums, and aggressive investing marketers can make it challenging for investors to know where to turn for unbiased information to help them make informed investment decisions.
Whether you’re researching an investment professional or deciding which investments will help you meet your financial goals, it’s important to choose your investment sources wisely. Investor.gov provides free, unbiased information and financial planning tools to help investors invest wisely and learn how to better protect themselves against investment fraud. Watch a video from our Never Stop Learning video series, read the WIW 2024’s key topics below, and test your knowledge with our quiz.
MONITORING INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Monitor your investment accounts regularly for any suspicious activity. You should confirm that you authorized all the transactions that appear in your investment account statements and trade confirmations.
BACKGROUND CHECKS ON INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS
Spend some time checking out the person offering the investment before you invest – even if you already know the person socially. You can check out the disciplinary history of brokers and advisers for free using Investor.gov’s “Check Out Your Investment Professional” search tool.
POWER OF COMPOUND GROWTH
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If you are investing or saving toward a goal, or just want to learn about how your money can grow under various hypothetical scenarios, take advantage of our compound interest and savings goal calculators. These calculators are great tools to help inform any decisions you make about your investing and saving. |
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DIVERSIFICATION
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Diversification is a strategy where you spread your money among different investments to reduce your overall investment risk. By picking the right mix of investments, you may be able to limit your losses and reduce the fluctuations of your investment returns without sacrificing too much in potential gains. |
EMERGENCY FUND
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An emergency fund is rainy day money you keep in a bank or credit union to use for an unexpected expense, like a cracked screen on your phone, car repair, or family emergency. If you don’t have an emergency fund, even a small financial upset can result in a long-term debt. |
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HIGH “GUARANTEED” RETURNS
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Be skeptical of any investment opportunity that promises high investment returns with little or no risk. High guaranteed returns are a hallmark of investment fraud. |
CRYPTO ASSETS
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Investments in crypto asset securities can be exceptionally volatile and speculative, and the platforms where investors buy, sell, borrow, or lend these securities may lack important protections for investors.
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Outreach
During WIW 2024, SEC staff will participate in outreach events highlighting the importance of establishing an emergency fund, avoiding high-interest debt, conducting research on investment opportunities, understanding the risks of investing, portfolio diversification, and fraud prevention. Outreach events include: saving and investing presentations for older investors, military service members, students, and teachers; investor education events for college students, including events at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; radio interview on topics important to older investors; and a Thrift Savings Plan program for federal employees. Registration information for in-person and virtual events that are open to the public will be posted below when they become available. Please contact the organizer directly with any questions about these events.
Oct. 8, 2024 (10 am ET) Your TSP Account – What to Think About When Nearing Retirement or Considering Leaving the Government
- The program covers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distribution options, IRS required minimum distribution rules and the IRS early withdrawal penalty. Discussion also covers investment risk and fees, the common red flags of investment fraud, how to check the background of a financial professional and questions to ask when thinking about moving funds from the TSP.
