TUCSON, AZ - December 15, 2025 - Joshua D. Mellberg, President and CEO of Secure Investment Management and founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial, is calling for a renewed focus on clear, consumer-friendly financial education. Drawing on over two decades of experience in retirement-income planning, Mellberg is advocating for greater awareness, accountability, and simplicity in how financial choices are presented and understood by the public.
“Most people don’t need a hundred options—they need to clearly understand the few that fit their goals,” said Mellberg. “That starts with how we talk about money—not just in offices, but in everyday conversations.”
The Problem: Complex Decisions, Limited Clarity
Financial planning—especially around retirement income—remains a major source of stress for many Americans. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, nearly 57% of U.S. adults say they’re worried about running out of money in retirement. Despite the flood of financial products available, a 2023 FINRA study found that only 34% of Americans could answer four out of five basic financial literacy questions correctly.
Mellberg believes the issue isn’t just about product complexity—it’s about communication failure.
“If the average person doesn’t understand the options, then the system isn’t working,” he explained. “We can do better by simplifying the way we explain things and by focusing on education over jargon.”
A Career Built on Making the Complex Simple
Mellberg’s push for clarity isn’t new. Since launching his first company, J.D. Mellberg Financial, in 2005, he has focused on translating complex financial products into clear, honest conversations. The firm earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list seven years in a row, reflecting both business growth and client trust.
In 2020, Mellberg successfully sold a majority stake in J.D. Mellberg Financial and went on to launch Secure Investment Management (SIM). Under his leadership, SIM has continued to grow—appearing on the Inc. 5000 in 2024 and 2025—while reinforcing a foundation of consumer-first planning, modern technology, and advisor education.
Mellberg has also hosted financial education programming on Arizona PBS and spoken widely about income planning, compliance in financial services, and sustainable firm design.
“If we want people to make better decisions, we need to meet them where they are—on their screens, in their living rooms, and in their language,” Mellberg said.
What People Can Do Right Now
While Mellberg’s message is a call to the industry, it’s also aimed at individuals.
“You don’t need to be a financial expert to take control of your future,” he said. “But you do need to ask better questions—and not stop until you get real answers.”
Here’s what he suggests individuals can do to empower themselves today:
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Ask for explanations in plain language. If you don’t understand something, keep asking until you do. If it still doesn’t make sense, it may not be the right fit.
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Focus on outcomes, not just products. Understand what you want your money to do for you—and make decisions that support that goal.
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Educate yourself incrementally. Spend a few minutes each week learning one new thing about personal finance. Small steps add up.
“I believe in people’s ability to learn and lead their own decisions,” said Mellberg. “But the tools and conversations need to be structured to support that.”
About Joshua D. Mellberg
Joshua D. Mellberg is the CEO of Secure Investment Management and founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial. With over 23 years in the financial services industry, he is known for designing high-integrity firms focused on retirement income planning and public education. A long-time advocate for financial literacy, Mellberg has built businesses featured on the Inc. 5000 list multiple times and remains active in financial media and executive leadership through his membership in YPO Scottsdale.
He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife and son.
Call to Action: Shift the Conversation
This press release isn’t a product pitch—it’s a push for better communication in finance. Mellberg’s message is clear: Everyone deserves to understand their financial options.
“Let’s change how we talk about money,” he said. “Because the first step to better financial futures isn’t a product. It’s a conversation.”
Media Contact:
Name: Joshua D. Mellberg
Email: joshuamellberg@emaildn.com
Company: Secure Investment Management
Location: Tucson, Arizona
To read the full interview, click here.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Joshua D Mellberg
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://www.josh-mellberg.com/
