What is the iOme (I Owe Me) Challenge?
The iOme (I OWE ME) Challenge is a national student competition designed to raise awareness about the impact of financial security on the social and economic well-being of our society.
How does it do that? Students are encouraged to challenge status quo thinking about the current state of retirement and propose viable policy recommendations.
The iOme Challenge asks college students to imagine what America and the world will look like 40 years from now; understand and talk about the issues; and identify actions needed today to ensure a bright financial future for all. Student teams from across the U.S. respond to the annual iOme Challenge question in a 5,000-word essay. A panel judges submissions and selects the winning team, who receive a cash prize and an invitation to Washington, DC to present their submission at a symposium and discuss it with public policymakers.
The iOme Challenge engages younger generations in the process of finding solutions to the financial and retirement challenges facing all generations. Each year, the project aims to involve more students in order to promote this important intergenerational dialogue.
“Since participating in the iOme Challenge, I was awarded the Truman Scholarship and will also be interning with the Senate HELP Committee. Both of these accomplishments have been directly made possible by the iOme Challenge and the way it helped spark a passion in me for the subject of retirement policy. For that, I am very grateful for the work your organization (WISER/iOme) is doing!”
– Evan Avila, 2018 iOme Challenge Winner from the
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Ready to take on the Challenge?
Get your team together and find a faculty advisor! This year’s question can be found here. Check out frequently asked questions for answers. If you are ready to roll, register for the iOme Challenge, today! The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 30, 2020.
The iOme Challenge was started in 2009. In 2016, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER®) took on the management of the iOme Challenge, and continues to expand its reach and impact.
