MassMutual Foundation Expands Reach of Financial Ed Program with Free App

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The MassMutual Foundation, Inc. today announced its FutureSmart app- an exploratory life simulation that takes students through financial decisions they will face throughout their lifetime, such as saving, paying for higher education, retirement, and opening and monitoring bank accounts. The combination of gamification and education makes this a one-of-a-kind financial education app for middle school students. The unique app, developed by the MassMutual Foundation in partnership with education technology leader EverFi, is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices in both English and Spanish.

"The average age for a child getting his or her first smartphone is 10 years old¹. The FutureSmart app provides a fun and interactive experience to connect with young people on devices they start to use during the formative sixth through eighth grade years," said Dennis Duquette, Head of MassMutual Community Responsibility and President of the MassMutual Foundation. "As we head into Financial Literacy Month, we're excited that this unique app extends the potential reach of our FutureSmart program to anyone with a smartphone or tablet, underscoring our commitment to help young people achieve the financial well-being needed to build a more promising and secure future."

The FutureSmart app gives students the flexibility to choose their own avatar to guide them between the different levels in the app. Each of the 14 levels introduces students to a new life stage and the financial decisions that are relevant to that age. For example, level one simulates a back-to-school shopping trip with a tight budget, challenging students to choose how to spend their money to stay on budget. The final outcome is customized to each student's particular choices, helping them think carefully about their decisions while learning valuable concepts along the way.

This new app builds on the success of the MassMutual Foundation's FutureSmart program. Since 2014, more than 500,000 students have benefited from the FutureSmart program through the digital program and through FutureSmart Challenge Events –interactive events that educate students about smart money management at NBA arenas. The FutureSmart program aims to impact the financial literacy of two million students by 2020.

The announcement of the new app was made today at a FutureSmart Challenge event in Boston, MA, where students participated in an educational seminar and learned about the importance of smart money management, why a higher education is essential to their financial success and the difference between "smart money" and "dumb money." Students were joined by MassMutual leadership and award-winning actor and New York Times best-selling author Hill Harper, who has been involved with the FutureSmart program since 2014.

"The FutureSmart app engages directly with students, reaching them on their devices in a way they can easily understand," said Harper. "As a passionate advocate for financial education, I believe the app provides young people with a deeper understanding of the connection between the choices they make and potential outcomes."

Download the app on your iOS or Android device or check out a preview of the game here.

¹Influence Central. 2016. Kids & Tech: The Evolution of Today's Digital Natives.

About the MassMutual Foundation
The MassMutual Foundation strives to broaden economic opportunity for America's youth and their families by investing in financial education for middle and high school students across the United States and economic development and education locally in Springfield, Mass. The Foundation is a reflection of MassMutual's longstanding dedication to corporate citizenship and its unwavering commitment to the communities in which we do business. To learn more about the MassMutual Foundation please visit www.massmutual.com/responsibility.

About MassMutual
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is a leading mutual life insurance company that that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

About EverFi
EverFi, Inc. is the education technology innovator that empowers K-12, higher education, and adult learners with the skills needed to be successful in life and work. With backing from some of technology's most innovative leaders including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, and Twitter founder Evan Williams, EverFi has built a network that is powered by over 3,300 partner organizations and annually reaches over 6 million learners. Learn more at everfi.com.

Contact: Chelsea Haraty
(413)744-4062
[email protected]

SOURCE The MassMutual Foundation, Inc.

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