how much earlier can they get

[kork13]

I think it's in those company's best interest to educate people, though, as it creates more customers for them. If folks are living paycheck to paycheck and buried in debt, they don't have much use for Vanguard or Fidelity. Teach them to manage their money better, though, and they can get to a point where investing is something they can actually do.

That was my thought exactly -- a customer base that has money available for investing is HUGELY beneficial to the entire financial industry (except for banks -- they love customers saddled with debt -- they're money printing machines).

[Smallsteps]

Education on this subject is often only taught in the school of hard knocks and failure.

The PC culture has also damaged the possibility of basic education. No one wants to wake a child up to the possibility that their parents are failing at finances.

No one wants to offend anyone. Even though for example, how much would the whole society benefit, if the number of those with out an EF was even half of what it is?

How about the retirement numbers if more then half that have access to an employer plan were actually participating?

How about a percentage that figured out that IRAs are available so for all those who are somehow WAITING for their employer to offer something? or worse yet the government FORCE their employer to offer a plan.
How about we go back to loans against 401K being for emergency or reason instead of for any reason what so ever.

No company (no matter if with good intentions) will invest in education......... without wanting/ expecting a return, so when the students are ready to invest/ open an account..... they will use the company behind the education.