If not now, when?

My wife and I recently got a chance to get away for a couple days to enjoy another beautiful Wisconsin summer. As we were relaxing, we talked about the past two-plus years and the impact it had on our family and society. It was somewhat therapeutic. I don’t think we’ve allowed ourselves to truly contemplate the enormity of the life experiences we gave up while adapting to living in a pandemic. We should.

But while we reflect, I hope we also remember the ways that we persevered in the face of adversity. We made sense of the world as best we could, and we got back to embracing every new day, not fearing it. We stopped deferring our dreams and recommitted to plans to live more – today and tomorrow.

Americans are now re-evaluating everything: how we work, where we live and what we value. Over recent weeks, countless Northwestern Mutual financial advisors have shared individual anecdotes with me about their clients’ bold plans for the future. Today, we have results from a new, nationwide research study that proves the point. What we found is this: Americans are committing to living more.

• ?Virtually everyone we spoke to (98%) says they now have specific life goals.
• Importantly, nearly 9 in 10 (88%) say they’re willing to continue pursuing them even if the economy sharply declines.
• More than three-fourths say they are interested in at least one career change in the next two years, while 24% are interested in starting their own business.
• Three in 10 Americans plan on traveling for an extended period of time in the next two years.

It’s clear that this is a new moment. This is the Great Realization.

The data and our clients’ stories indicate the same thing: this is a time when people are committing to do the things they’ve been talking about for years. It’s our collective moment to hit reset, redefine what’s important, and take action to create the lives we want.

Today, Northwestern Mutual is launching a new brand campaign about this Great Realization. What’s really meaningful to me about the campaign is the message – which spotlights how the last few years have brought a renewed focus on what’s most important in life. Perhaps it’s making up for lost time with family or taking that dream vacation you’ve always talked about, or finally going into business for yourself. So many more people are asking: If not now, when?

The Great Realization isn’t about one moment – it’s about living more and worrying less over a lifetime.

I’ve been thrilled to see thousands of people taking action on their long-term financial plans and not postponing them to a later date. In 2021, we saw a record number of people working with Northwestern Mutual to create a comprehensive financial plan – one that elegantly combines insurance with investments to protect what they’ve built while also creating future prosperity. We’re continuing to see historically strong demand for financial plans in 2022, too. But we also know that only a small fraction of Americans (16%) know exactly how much they would need to save or invest to achieve their goals. Moreover, only about half of U.S. adults say they have a financial plan in place. Proactive planning can help enable people to reach goals today without sacrificing the dreams they have for the far-off future.

I’m incredibly proud of the work our financial advisors are doing to create financial plans and help our clients pursue their passions with confidence – even if life takes an unexpected turn. In a time of increasing consumer uncertainty and anxiety, a comprehensive financial plan informs and empowers clients to feel confident that they can say ‘yes’ to what’s important in life.

Our commitment to Americans’ goals and financial security is unwavering.

As our nation heads into an uncertain and potentially volatile economic future, this is the bottom line: Americans can still achieve their goals if they have a strong financial plan in place. I’m proud to say Northwestern Mutual is built masterfully for this environment – and every economic season yet to come. In fact, we’re one of the strongest companies in any industry. Northwestern Mutual is one of just six companies across any sector that received an Aaa-rating and a stable outlook from Moody’s, the well-known ratings agency. That exceptional financial strength enables us to remain on offense – making strategic investments that enhance our client experience and deliver industry-leading value on behalf of our nearly five million clients.

It’s an honor for us to help Americans pursue their passions, create once-in-a-lifetime memories, protect their families, and more. As we head into fall, we will continue to help people seize each day with greater confidence. Best wishes to all on your Great Realizations!