Biography

Terry Savage is a nationally known expert on personal finance, the markets & economic policy.  She is a regular television commentator on CNN, CNBC, PBS, and NBC on issues related to investing and financial markets. Terry is the nationally syndicated Chicago Sun-Times personal finance columnist. Terry’s latest book The Savage Truth on Money, second edition, was released in 2011, addressing how to survive and thrive in today’s complex financial climate.

Her fourth book, published in June, 2005, is The Savage Number: How Much Money Do You Need to Retire? It has received praise from investment gurus like James Cramer, Jim Rogers, and Bob Brinker. Terry offers advice ranging from investments to withdrawal calculations to long term care insurance –to make sure your money lasts as long as you do!

Her previous best-seller, The Savage Truth on Money, was named one of the ten best money books of the year by Amazon.com, and was made into an hour-long television special which aired on PBS. Terry is a frequent guest on national radio and television shows ranging from PBS’ Nightly Business Report to CNN and CNBC. She’s appeared several times on Oprah! And she’s the regular substitute host of the nationally syndicated Bob Brinker radio show on ABC radio.

Terry’s financial expertise comes from experience. She started her career as a stockbroker, and became a founding member — and the first woman trader — on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Savage was also a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s International Monetary Market where she traded interest rate contracts and currency futures. She is a registered investment advisor for both stocks and futures.

Terry Savage has won numerous awards, including the National Press Club award for Outstanding Consumer Journalism, and the Outstanding Personal Finance Columnist award given by the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and two Emmys for her television work.

Savage takes an active role in America’s business community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (NYSE) and previously served on the boards of McDonald’s Corporation for 14 years and Pennzoil-Quaker State Corporation for 5 years. She was a recipient of the Director’s Choice Award honoring selected women who serve on America’s top corporate boards.

Savage is involved in Chicago’s civic affairs, serving as a director of The Executives’ Club of Chicago, Junior Achievement of Illinois and the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan where she won a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in American history and economics.