By Christina DaCosta, Chief Experience Officer at SAGE
When SAGECents launched in the early days of the pandemic, it wasn’t responding to a trend. It was responding to a need that had been building for decades.
LGBTQ+ older people have long faced deep-rooted, systemically reinforced financial barriers. Employment discrimination. Lack of family financial support. Exclusion from wealth-building tools. Limited access to safe, affirming resources. COVID-19 didn’t create these inequities, but it did make them impossible to ignore.
So we acted.
SAGECents, developed in partnership with LifeCents and supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation, was our answer. A digital financial wellness platform created specifically for LGBTQ+ elders, but relevant to anyone looking to better understand and manage their money. I was proud to be part of the team that brought it to life during one of the most challenging times in our community’s history.
Five years in, the impact speaks for itself. Nearly 4,500 users have taken steps toward more confident, stable financial futures. SAGECents users have seen real results:
- Average savings increase of over $600
- Average debt decrease of over $600
- Average credit score increase of 40 points
- Average income increase of about $2.37K
But here’s the truth: financial wellness isn’t just a “nice to have;” it’s essential. It’s the foundation for health, independence, and peace of mind. It’s how we plan for joy, security, and aging on our own terms. Everyone deserves to age with dignity and respect, and financial stability is fundamental to making that possible.
In today’s political climate, this work feels especially urgent. When so much feels uncertain, having the tools and knowledge to build financial resilience becomes an act of empowerment – and resistance. Our community needs resources that help us not just survive but truly thrive for years to come.
This support isn’t only for older people. It’s for caregivers, Gen Z and Millennials digging out from debt or building something new, and folks who’ve never had access to financial tools that reflect their lived experiences.
SAGECents was built for LGBTQ+ elders, but I encourage anyone reading this to explore it. Whether you’re planning for retirement, recovering from a setback, or trying to get a clearer picture of your finances, this platform is here for you. Free. Empowering. Confidential.
Five years in, I’m more convinced than ever: when we support financial wellness, we support full, free, and dignified lives.
Here’s to every person who’s taken the first step and to making sure that financial dignity is never out of reach for our communities.
Explore and share: www.sageusa.org/sagecents
