Why specialized financial planning matters more than ever

By Bethany Coughlin, AVP Investor Channel, Voya Financial

Financial planning for people with disabilities and their families is not just a professional passion of mine. It’s something I live with every day.

Having grown up around a sibling with a disability — my sister, Brie, has cerebral palsy — I witnessed firsthand how difficult it was for families to find resources, support and guidance. Many parents, including mine, felt alone as they navigated challenges that others often didn’t understand. Those experiences continue to shape how I think about serving clients today.

While there are far more resources available now, families still face significant obstacles. One area that can feel especially overwhelming is financial planning. 

One thing I’ve learned is that families caring for a loved one with a disability often are navigating some of life’s most complex financial decisions. They need more than products and solutions. They need education, guidance, support and trusted resources to help them move forward with confidence.

Providing families with education and guidance around the financial impact of caring for a child with a disability can help reduce stress, create greater confidence in the future and make an already difficult journey a little easier.

That is why I am so excited that Voya is sponsoring financial professionals to earn the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC) certification. This certification through the American College helps financial professionals better understand key planning considerations for people with disabilities and caregivers, including government benefits, special needs trusts and ABLE accounts.

The certification also helps provide a deeper understanding of the financial realities many caregiving families face. While more resources are available today than ever before, navigating those resources can still feel overwhelming. Having an advisor who understands the landscape can help clarify difficult decisions and create a clearer path forward.

For many caregivers, financial planning is about much more than retirement or investing. It’s about protecting a loved one’s future, preserving eligibility for critical benefits and building a plan that reflects the family’s unique goals and circumstances.

As we celebrate 10 years of Voya Cares, I’m proud to be part of an organization that continues to champion financial inclusion through education, advocacy and solutions.

The work is far from finished, but every financial professional who deepens their knowledge and every family that gains greater confidence in their financial future represents meaningful progress.

Financial inclusion begins with understanding. And when we equip financial professionals with the right knowledge and resources, we can help more families find the support, guidance and confidence they deserve.