For example, he says clients battling student loan debt should stay abreast of the changes the Trump Administration is looking to implement. For example, Trump has considered ending the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Kuderna says the government is looking into other options for student loan debt forgiveness for undergraduates, and may eliminate graduate school debt for qualifying candidates. Clients strapped with student debt should want to keep up with these developments, he says.
Kuderna also often shares how government actions could impact take home pay. “For example, In New Jersey, the tax environment and cost of living chased away many retirees, he says. "During the [Gov. Chris] Christie administration, employee pension and health benefit contributions for state employees (police officers and teachers) went up. This was a direct effect to those clients take home pay.”
Christie proposed changes to the pension funding formula to reflect lower investment returns, which would require greater contributions through property taxes to make up the difference, he explained. During Christie's tenure, the gas tax was raised by 23 cents a gallon and the N.J. estate tax was eliminated, he added.
Examples such as these can help millennials see how important it is for them to be involved in the decision-making process.
Although they have strong political opinions, many millennials don't get involved in politics because they think their individual votes don’t count, he said. But Kuderna points them to t2014 election of Mayor Dennis Connelly in Eatontown, N.J. He won the election by only a few votes following a recount.
Kuderna holds himself to the same standards that he encourages in other millennials. He served as the chairman of the Young Republicans Organization and as a local committeeman for the state of New Jersey. He’s been involved in numerous lobbying initiatives and has spoken on financial literacy on syndicated radio shows, college campuses as at government offices.
“Ultimately, politics influences everything from jobs to taxes and wages. Anyone who’s responsible should care about these topics and therefore should care about the leaders who govern them,” Kuderna said.