Blog Investment & Financial News
Financial Spring Cleaning: 6 Things to Review This Season
Have you done your spring cleaning yet? I’m not talking about scrubbing baseboards or sorting through those drawers that somehow fill up with things we don’t need. I’m talking about financial spring cleaning—a dedicated time to review your goals, accounts, and overall financial plan to make sure everything is organized, efficient, and not creating unnecessary…
What Are Retirement Gap Years?
What Are Retirement Gap Years? Timing Social Security, Roth Moves, and Medicare When people hear “gap year,” they often think of the year between high school and college. But there’s another kind of gap year that can have a big financial impact: the years between retiring and starting Social Security or pension income. These retirement…
2025 4th Quarter Investment Commentary
Markets were strong, but narrow in the U.S. The S&P 500 TR rose 2.66% in Q4 and 17.88% in 2025. However, gains were driven by a small group of large AI-focused companies, and most stocks did not keep pace with the index. International markets had a standout year. Developed international stocks and emerging markets outpaced…
2026 Key Financial Changes
The annual exclusion for gifts remained at $19,000 for 2026. The limitation on deferrals for 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans is increased to $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. The catch-up for those over age 50 was increased to $8,000 from $7,500, so if you are maxing out your plan and over age…
New Retirement Rule Coming in 2026 for High-Income Earners: Roth Catch-Up Contribution
Starting January 1, 2026, a change under the SECURE 2.0 Act will affect how some employees age 50 and older make catch-up contributions to their workplace retirement plans. What’s Changing? If you turn 50 or older in 2026 and your 2025 FICA wages (Box 3 of your W-2) with your current employer were over $150,000*,…
Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2026
Starting in January 2026, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index, reflecting changes in the cost of goods and services over the past year. Beneficiaries will be notified of their new benefit amounts by mail…
2025 3rd Quarter Investment Commentary
Global equities surged to record highs as the Fed’s rate cut, strong earnings, and large-scale spending in AI-related spending fueled the rally. The S&P 500 gained over 8% in Q3, with leadership concentrated in growth stocks, leaving valuations historically high and breadth narrow. Economic growth stayed resilient, with solid consumption and wage growth despite labor…
2026 1st Quarter Investment Commentary
Q1 2026 was volatile as the Iran conflict contributed to a rise in oil prices, reignited inflation concerns, and triggered a market selloff. The S&P 500 rebounded sharply, hitting a new all-time high on April 15th. The U.S. economy entered the quarter with several supportive fundamentals, including healthy corporate balance sheets and ongoing investment in…