The 4% Problem: Fixing Financial Wellness | Liz Davidson and Todd Lacey| Decoding Growth | EP 105

Decoding Growth

Financial wellness pioneer Liz Davidson, founder of Financial Finesse, and president Todd Lacey join Lisa Kottler and Will Prest to decode the most misunderstood category in workplace retirement.

With 15 companies on their tech map but countless definitions, they explore what financial wellness really means, why only 4% of people are truly "financially well," and how the industry must shift from product-first to participant-first thinking.

Learn why healthcare claims drop 19% without coaching, how AI is enabling true personalization, and why speaking in English (not industry jargon) might be retirement's biggest innovation opportunity.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Introduction & The Retirement Tech Map

3:15 Defining Financial Wellness

8:45 Todd's Journey to Financial Finesse

12:30 The Unbiased Coaching Model

17:20 Measuring Success: Healthcare Claims Data

23:45 Beyond the 401(k): Breaking Down Silos

29:10 Platform vs. Point Solutions

34:25 Personalization & AI Innovation

40:15 Evaluating Financial Wellness Providers

46:30 The Engagement Challenge

51:40 Starting with the End User

56:20 Speaking English: The Innovation Gap