Dustin Stanley Urges Americans to Take Retirement Education Into Their Own Hands
Founder of Stanley Wealth & Retirement advocates for financial literacy as a path to freedom, clarity, and peace of mind
SARASOTA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 /With nearly 50% of Americans reporting they don 't have enough savings to retire comfortably, Sarasota-based financial advisor Dustin Stanley is raising awareness about a simple but often overlooked solution: education.
"Most people don 't get taught how to plan for retirement, " says Stanley, Founder and President of Stanley Wealth & Retirement. "They think it 's only about investing or saving money, but real retirement planning is about understanding how everything works together-income, taxes, healthcare, and lifestyle. If you can understand your plan, you can make better decisions for your family. "
Stanley, a nationally recognized retirement advisor and lifelong learner himself, is advocating for more people to take charge of their own financial literacy-long before meeting with an advisor. His firm 's initiative, The Academy of Retirement, offers free educational courses modeled after university-style classes. The goal, he says, is to empower individuals to ask better questions, recognize common pitfalls, and gain confidence in their financial choices.
A Call for Awareness and Action
Recent data from the Federal Reserve 's 2024 Economic Well-Being Report shows that nearly one in three adults approaching retirement say they have no formal plan in place. Another study from Northwestern Mutual found that the average retirement savings balance is $88,400-far below what most experts recommend for long-term stability.
Stanley believes this lack of preparation isn 't about apathy-it 's about access. "People want to do the right thing, but they 're overwhelmed by jargon and complexity, " he says. "That 's why education is the key. Knowledge gives you power, and power gives you peace of mind. "
From the Factory Floor to Financial Empowerment
Stanley 's passion for teaching stems from experience. Before founding Stanley Wealth & Retirement, he spent 24 years working his way up through his family 's manufacturing company, Hytec, in Louisville, Kentucky. When the business closed, he was forced to start over in a new industry.
"That moment forced me to reinvent myself, " Stanley recalls. "In manufacturing, you learn precision-measure twice, cut once. In finance, it 's the same. You have to plan carefully and make sure what you 're doing works in real life, not just on paper. "
That mindset of discipline and detail became the foundation of his career. Within a decade, Stanley helped grow a national firm from $20 million to nearly $3 billion in assets before launching his own company in 2025.
Success, Family, and Faith
Despite his achievements, Stanley is quick to downplay the idea of "making it. " "Success is never owned-it 's rented, " he says. "And the rent is due every week, month, and year. "
He credits his work ethic to his father, who taught him that perseverance outlasts luck. "Anytime I have obstacles in my way, I just put my head down and work harder, " he says.
For Stanley, family and faith remain the anchors of his motivation. His wife, Kristin, and two sons-Jake, 27, and Skye, 16-keep him grounded. Skye, a talented chess player on the autism spectrum, has also inspired Stanley 's patient and personal approach to problem-solving. "He 's one of the most beautiful souls you 'll ever meet, " Stanley says. "He reminds me every day to focus on what really matters-kindness, patience, and understanding. "
Education Is the Equalizer
Stanley emphasizes that people don 't have to be wealthy or financially savvy to take control of their future. "You don 't need to know everything, " he says. "You just need to start learning. Read, attend workshops, take classes, or ask better questions. Even small steps can make a big difference. "
His message is simple: don 't wait for someone else to secure your future. "The truth is, no one will ever care about your retirement as much as you do, " he says. "The earlier you start learning, the stronger your foundation will be. "
How to Get Started
For anyone looking to take charge of their own retirement education, Stanley recommends starting with free or local resources:
Attend community financial education events or retirement workshops
Explore online courses from trusted financial education programs
Review Social Security and tax-planning basics from verified government sites
Talk with professionals, but always make sure you understand every decision you make
"Financial freedom starts with curiosity, " Stanley says. "The more you understand, the more confident and secure you 'll feel about the road ahead. "
About Dustin Stanley
Dustin Stanley is the Founder and President of Stanley Wealth & Retirement, based in Sarasota, Florida. A nationally recognized financial advisor, he has built his career around one mission: helping retirees and pre-retirees find clarity, confidence, and peace of mind through education and personalized planning.
Media Contact
Dustin Stanley
info@dustinstanleyflorida.com
https://www.dustinstanleyflorida.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-stanley-7b40396/
SOURCE: Dustin Stanley
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