Shon J. Eckert, CFP®, ChFC, BFA, and Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC, CFT, to receive top award for their outstanding research paper published in the Journal of Financial Planning.
DENVER (August 13, 2025) – The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) and the Journal of Financial Planning are pleased to announce Shon J. Eckert, CFP®, ChFC, BFA, and Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC, CFT, as the recipients of the 2025 Montgomery-Warschauer Award for their March 2024 Journal of Financial Planning paper, “The Benefits of Behavioral Nudges: Using Choice Architecture to Improve Decisions and Shape Outcomes in Retirement Savings Programs.”
In its 14th year, the Montgomery-Warschauer Award recognizes the paper published in the Journal of Financial Planning that provided the most outstanding contribution to the betterment of the profession in the preceding year. The award is named after the late Henry Montgomery, who helped create the Journal, and Tom Warschauer, the Journal’s first academic editor.
“This paper is important because it shows how well-designed behavioral 'nudges' in choice architecture can genuinely improve retirement planning results, helping people close the gap between knowing what’s best and acting on it,” said 2025 FPA President Paul Brahim, CFP®, CEPA®. "For 46 years, the Journal of Financial Planning has led the way in expanding the professional knowledge base in financial planning. We look forward to honoring Shon Eckert and Megan McCoy and their efforts to build on that legacy at the FPA Annual Conference 2025.”
The winning paper was selected by the Journal of Financial Planning’s Editorial Advisory Board and the Journal editorial staff. The
award will be presented to Eckert and McCoy at FPA Annual Conference 2025, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from November 3-5, 2025.
The paper, published in the March 2024 issue of the Journal of Financial Planning, demonstrated ways retirement plans can be designed to help workers make better financial decisions and achieve better outcomes while maintaining their autonomy in decision-making.
“Workplace retirement plans play a significant role in Americans’ retirement preparedness. Over half of Americans have access to a workplace retirement savings plan, yet the number of individuals who aren’t prepared for a secure retirement is troubling,” said Danielle Andrus, editor of the Journal of Financial Planning. “This research shows how these plans can be designed to educate and encourage participation without steamrolling employee choice. We’re grateful to Mr. Eckert and Dr. McCoy for sharing their contribution to the Journal and the financial planning profession.”
Shon J. Eckert, CFP®, ChFC, BFA, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional at Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators, benefits administrator for employees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His research focuses on the application of behavioral finance tools to enhance financial decision-making and improve economic outcomes among retirement plan participants.
Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC, CFT, is an assistant professor in the personal financial planning program at Kansas State
University. Her research focuses on financial therapy and has been published in top-tier family science, marriage and family therapy, and financial journals. Dr. McCoy volunteers for the Financial Therapy Association Board of Directors and serves as the co-editor of the Financial Planning Review.
"As winners of the 2025 Montgomery-Warschauer Award, Eckert and McCoy offer a compelling look at how retirement plan design can guide better financial decisions while preserving individual autonomy,” added Derek Lawson, Ph.D., CFP®, the Journal’s volunteer academic editor. “Their research demonstrates that well-structured choice architecture not only boosts participation and savings rates but also provides a model for encouraging action without undermining free will, an essential balance in financial planning."
The authors will present the award-winning research at FPA Annual Conference 2025.
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About the Financial Planning Association
For 25 years, the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) has been the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is the CFP® professional’s partner in planning by helping them realize their vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org.
About the Journal of Financial Planning
First published in 1979, the mission of the Journal of Financial Planning is to expand the body of knowledge in the financial planning profession. With monthly feature articles, interviews, columns, and peer-reviewed technical contributions, the Journal's content is dynamic, innovative, thought-provoking, and directly beneficial to financial planners in their work. Learn more at www.fpajournal.org.