If you are nearing retirement and have less savings than expected, you are not alone. Many Americans feel the same way. The 2023 Protected Retirement Income and Planning (PRIP) study from the Alliance for Lifetime Income found: 51% of consumers...


October 21, 2024
Social Security COLA Increase Is Not Designed to Cover Retirement
On October 10, the new Social Security COLA increase was announced, and many retirees were disappointed. Each year, there is a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is determined by a measurement of the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for Urban...

October 14, 2024
5 Things to Consider with Your 401(k) When You Change Jobs
In today’s dynamic job market, it’s not uncommon for people to change jobs several times throughout their careers. With each job transition comes a new set of considerations, especially when it comes to your 401(k). So, what do you do...

October 7, 2024
401(k) Balance by Age: How Do You Measure Up?
According to Vanguard’s 2024 How America Saves Report, the average 401(k) balance for participants in 2023 was $134,128, with a median balance of $35,286. Vanguard participants’ average account balances increased by 19% since year-end 2022.¹ How does your 401(k) balance...

September 30, 2024
Is Professional 401(k) Account Management Really Worth It?
401(k) account management is an option for anyone with a 401(k) – no matter how close or far you are from retirement. Even if you have some basic investment knowledge, you might want to consider seeking expert advice. Think of...

September 23, 2024
Finance tips you should not ignore
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s important to make the most of the last 90 days if you want to reach your financial goals. Take a look at these 12 Q4 finance tips that may help you boost...

September 16, 2024
16 Budget-Friendly Fall Activities for Families
With the holidays right around the corner and the end of the year fast approaching, the last thing you want to do is blow your budget on fall activities. Between fall sports, Halloween, and fall travel, the costs add up…and...

September 9, 2024
5 Financial Risks to Plan for Now before Year-End
As we approach the final quarter, it’s time to talk about financial risks that could significantly cost you. Let’s say you’ve made a financial goal for 2024. If you aren’t paying attention, you may miss that goal because you have...

September 2, 2024
Your Retirement: Don’t Be Another Statistic
Americans are not saving enough for retirement. In a report entitled Americans Face Alarming Retirement Savings Shortfall, the National Institute for Retirement Security shares, “Most Americans will not have enough money for a financially secure retirement. […] NIRS research found...

August 26, 2024
National Public Data Breach: What You Need to Know
In the ever-evolving landscape of data security, the recent and alarming cyber crisis has left millions of Americans reeling. This particular data breach included PII (personal identifiable information), including Social Security numbers of almost 3 billion people. In response to...

August 19, 2024
What to Do If You’re Behind on 401(k) Savings
Given the increase in the cost of retirement, it’s no wonder many are worried they are behind on 401(k) savings. According to the Northwestern Mutual 2024 Planning & Progress Study, “American adults say on average they now need $1.46 million...

August 12, 2024
Why Early 401(k) Withdrawals May Derail Your Retirement
Early 401(k) withdrawals are soaring. According to the Vanguard Group, “A record-breaking number of Americans are making emergency withdrawals from their 401(k) retirement plans in order to cover a financial hardship amid the ongoing inflation crisis.”¹ Approximately 3.6% of workers...

August 5, 2024
Help Yourself First Before Helping Kids Financially
It is natural for a parent to want to help their children financially, but helping kids financially isn’t always the best decision. You may end up hurting them more than helping them – especially if you dip into your retirement...

July 29, 2024
Strategies to Maximize Your 401(k) Contributions
Saving for your financial future requires more than the bare minimum. Given the cost of today’s retirement, it’s worth doing what you can now to maximize your 401(k) contributions. Why 401(k) Contributions Are Essential for Retirement Retiring isn’t cheap. Once...

July 22, 2024
What Investors Need to Know for the Second Half of 2024
Despite a brief 6% correction in the latter part of the first quarter, the stock market has shown resilience and growth in the first half of 2024. Keep reading for factors contributing to this and what you need to know....