With a civilian labor force of 4.5 million, Virginia leaders had a lot to think about when they realized a good chunk of those folks didn’t have workplace access to retirement savings. That’s all changing. We talk today with program director Peter Thompson about the present, the future, and what he’s seeing in this new space.

Here’s something we think: it’s hard to have very good financial literacy without some financial experience.

• Until you have a financial account, the financial system will probably be a mystery to you

• Until you have investments, they are probably going to be quite mysterious too

Have we been taking it easy this summer, enjoying the lazy days of sunshine and vines? Yes, we have. It’s the legislative off season for many in the state and federal systems, and a time of project management and breath-catching for those working in the private sector and policy space.

And it’s also a good time to turn our attention to 2024. Yes, 2024. If you want to think about the future in a relaxed way, it needs to be in the future.