There is not enough evidence of what actually works to help older people improve their financial capability and reduce the risk of scams, the International Longevity Centre - UK (ILC-UK) has concluded in a recent report.
The think tank defines financial capability as a person's ability to manage money well, both day to day and through significant life events.
It said that in an "increasingly complex financial world", responsibility for financial decision-making is progressively being shifted onto the individual.
However, the report reveals it is unclear which programmes designed to help improve financial capability amongst older people are effective.
Cesira Urzì Brancati, research fellow at the ILC-UK, said: "The world of money is becoming more complex and older people are more diverse in their experience and needs. Some older people need help understanding how to manage money. Others may need support with investments."
Commissioned by the Money Advice Service and the UK Financial Capability Strategy, the report found there are very few evaluated examples of successful interventions in safeguarding from fraud.
In terms of accessing money management tools and guidance, financial products and services online, ILC-UK reported increased levels of confidence among people in using online tools and feeling more informed about general money management. However, ILC-UK added that evidence in this field is "limited" and evaluations are mainly of lower quality.
Among other findings, the organisation also found good evidence of maximising benefits, but the interventions examined were all relatively small, community-based projects.
Brancati said: "We need to do all we can to reduce the risk of more older people becoming victims of scams or abuse. Helping people better understand and manage their money has to be part of the solution."
David Haigh, director of financial capability at the Money Advice Service, said: "This report highlights how little we know about how best to improve the financial capability of older people.
"Discovering what works and targeting effective interventions in these areas will ensure that older people are able to effectively manage their money throughout later life."
