Why You Should Consider Becoming a Financial Planner

Key takeaways

• Leverage your life experience — Carly Roszkowski notes personal finance skills transition well to financial planning.
• Benefit from high earning potential and flexibility, with median salaries near $100,000 annually.
• Help diverse communities, including military families, by providing specialized financial guidance and support.

Summary

Considering a career change after 50? Becoming a financial planner could be a smart move for experienced professionals seeking stability, flexibility and the chance to make a difference. Financial planning is a growing field, and Carly Roszkowski highlights that with the right certifications, your years of managing personal finances can be leveraged in a new, rewarding career. The role offers high earning potential — median salaries are nearly $100,000 — and flexibility to set your own hours, work remotely or start your own business.

Financial planners are in demand, offering both job security and an opportunity to help communities, including specialized support for groups like military families. If you’re committed to helping others achieve their goals, the path to becoming a financial planner could lead to a fulfilling, financially secure future. Explore resources and training at aarp.org/work to get started on your next chapter as a financial planner.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript:

[0:00:00] Got a head for numbers and looking to leverage

[0:00:00] your years of experience while also making a

[0:00:04] difference?

[0:00:04] Here are AARP’s top 4 reasons to consider

[0:00:09] becoming a financial planner.

[0:00:12] Number 1, you’ve managed finances before.

[0:00:15] You’ve likely handled your own finances for

[0:00:15] decades.

[0:00:18] If that’s something you enjoy, financial

[0:00:18] planning could be in your future.

[0:00:22] Now, becoming a financial planner does require

[0:00:22] earning certain certifications,

[0:00:26] so you’ll have to invest some time and money to

[0:00:26] be able to practice.

[0:00:31] But being able to successfully manage your own

[0:00:31] money is a great first step.

[0:00:36] Second, it offers high pay and stability.

[0:00:39] While the job market is experiencing some

[0:00:39] difficulties, the demand for personal financial

[0:00:43] advisers is expected to rise.

[0:00:46] Plus, it’s a high income role with a median

[0:00:46] salary of around $100,000 per year.

[0:00:52] With 24% of workers over 50 looking to switch

[0:00:52] careers for higher earnings,

[0:00:57] financial planning could be a promising

[0:00:57] opportunity.

[0:01:01] You choose how you work.

[0:01:03] Flexibility is one of the biggest perks of

[0:01:03] being a financial planner.

[0:01:07] You can forge your own career path, whether

[0:01:07] that means working from home or in an office,

[0:01:12] starting your own business or joining a firm,

[0:01:12] and choosing your own hours.

[0:01:17] This could be especially beneficial for

[0:01:17] caregivers or those with limited mobility and

[0:01:22] experienced workers who want to work part-time.

[0:01:25] Finally, you can help others.

[0:01:25] Many people struggle with financial planning,

[0:01:30] and your guidance could make a real difference

[0:01:30] to those who need it.

[0:01:33] Successful financial planners often build a

[0:01:33] client base by serving their communities.

[0:01:37] For example, if you’re a veteran, you could

[0:01:37] specialize in helping military families

[0:01:41] navigate their finances.

[0:01:44] With the right training, this career pivot

[0:01:44] could be the perfect step toward a fulfilling

[0:01:48] and financially secure future.

[0:01:50] For more job search and career-related news and

[0:01:50] resources,

[0:01:54] visit aarp.org/work.