After-lunch Webinar – Thomas Post – Holistic Financial Planning Tools / Apps – Current state, challenges, and outlook

Netspar organizes this After Lunch Webinar for partners and employees of partners. Researchers will outline their latest retirement research and then receive feedback and answer questions. It is just another way we bring science, academics, and professional practice closer together.

In this After Lunch Webinar, Thomas Post (Maastricht University) explains more about the research: Holistic Financial Planning Tools / Apps – Current state, challenges, and outlook

Questions and input on this ongoing research are most welcome.

This research is conducted in collaboration with Janek Kretschmer (Maastricht University).

Bridging the Financial Planning Gap

Many individuals who need financial advice the most are the least likely to seek it, often deterred by complexity, high effort costs, or a lack of trust in traditional financial tools. Digital solutions hold great potential, but engagement remains a challenge. Could a more intuitive, relatable approach change this?

This forthcoming industry paper explores how innovative financial planning apps can bridge the accessibility gap. By leveraging behavioral insights, our app introduces “doubles”—personalized financial avatars that allow users to compare themselves with relatable peers, lowering barriers to engagement. Drawing from survey data and literature, we examine how peer effects and simplified entry processes significantly increase financial participation.

Join us for an in-depth look at how nudges and digital solutions can revolutionize financial planning for the public—especially for those who need it most.