Level Up!

It’s hard to believe, but the Nintendo Entertainment System was released in the United States way back in 1985; the Game Boy hit the market in 1989; and in 1991, we were introduced to the Super Nintendo. Those gaming systems had a lot to teach us (or so we told our parents)—concepts that can even be applied to working with retirement plans!

As kids of the ’80s, we were big fans of these Nintendo gaming systems. We relished in playing video games such as Super Mario Brothers, the Legend of Zelda, Tetris and Super Mario World. Generations before enjoyed systems such as the Magnavox Odyssey or Atari, playing Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Generations after were captivated by gaming systems such as the Play Station or Xbox, playing Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft. We recall that each time someone hit a new level (“leveled up”), there was excitement felt by all. Exhilaration filled a room when one mastered all challenges and “flipped” a game (i.e., conquered every level)! 

In the last decade, movies such as Wreck It Ralph (about a video game character who wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream within the game) and more recently, 8-Bit Christmas (about a child from the late 1980s and his quest to obtain the latest and greatest gaming system for Christmas), bring us back to a time of childhood and the fun we had playing video games. 

Whether you enjoyed playing, watching your friends or children play, or viewing movies about these types of games, most have had positive experiences and memories associated with video games and we are no exception. Thus, we were very enthusiastic when the ARA marketing team developed the 2022 theme for ASPPA Annual: Level Up! (We are also not-so-secretly hoping that a few brave attendees will show up at “ASPPA at Night” on Tuesday evening dressed as Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Sonic the Hedgehog, Laura Croft, Bowser, Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz or Fix-It Felix.) 

As we worked with the planning committee to create a ‘Leveled Up’ conference and agenda, we were even more delighted to see the development of a Retirement Plan Journey session series that followed the concept of a video game where attendees can level up by attending each of the four sessions. Imagine, if you will, the Retirement Plan Journey as the newest and hottest video game. (Side note: Can someone please develop fun, yet appropriately nerdy, graphics that would fit a video game entitled, “The Retirement Plan Journey”? We envision Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Yoshi in business suits with tax codes and dollar signs flying around!) This game has levels and each new level builds upon the previously conquered levels. 

See you at ASPPA Annual 2022—We look forward to Leveling Up with you! Log in and “Level Up” today at https://asppaannual.org/ 

Justin Bonestroo is ASPPA’s 2022 President Elect. Amanda Iverson is ASPPA’s 2022 Vice President.