Retirement Strategy Digest

Pension Policy Alerts

• 🔥 NY Pension Reform Risks: Local government groups warn that New York pension reform proposals could lead to property tax...

Critical for retirees: Spousal benefits provide up to 50% of the retired worker's primary insurance amount, available to married and divorced individuals. Receiving on spouse's record does not affect their benefits.

• Tier 6 reforms could force local governments to raise property taxes or cut services, as warned by county, city, town, and village groups.
• Annual...

Leaving a job without an appealing new 401(k)? Consider opening an IRA and rolling over your 401(k) savings to preserve and grow them.

• Practical six-step checkup for your retirement plan, designed to be helpful
• Includes financial advisor input to adjust as needed
• Step 1: Determine where your plan currently stands

Fine-tune your strategy today for a secure retirement.

The retirement 'magic number' hit $1.46M in 2026, up 13.6% from last year, amid inflation and health costs—yet avg savings are just $288,700.

• 46%...

Claiming age drives massive SS swings—key for retirees optimizing income.

• Age 62: $1,424/mo (25-30% reduction)
• Age 70 peak: $2,275/mo, 60%...

Three angles to turn savings into reliable retirement income:

• Annuities resurgence: UK spending hit £7.4bn in 2025 amid higher rates and 2027 IHT...

401(k) and Policy Updates

• 🔥 DOL Proposed Rule on Fiduciary Duties: The US Department of Labor proposed a rule clarifying fiduciary...

Critical alert for Louisiana's 1M SS recipients (715k aged 65+, avg $1,800/mo): SSA warns of imposter emails mimicking official notices, risking...

Optimize withdrawals by knowing how retirement income is taxed:

• Traditional IRA/401(k): Withdrawals taxed as ordinary income
• Income varies by source, including Roth IRA

Plan ahead to minimize tax burdens before retiring.

• RCAs spotlighted: Investment Executive presents the case for retirement compensation arrangements as a retirement option.
• Planning gap:...

Key risks to retirement portfolios amid loosening credit:

• Private credit losses ($1.8-3T market) erode annuities, insurance, and pensions via...

• Income exceeds needs: $4,700 pension + $3,300 Social Security totals ~$8K/month, covering $3,600 meager expenses—no need to tap $190K 401(k).
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Key 2026 retirement rule changes from SECURE 2.0 to maximize near-retirement savings:

• Higher catch-up limits for bigger contributions
• Roth-only...

• Simple boost: FRA 67 PIA ~$30,800/yr jumps 24% to $38,200/yr at 70.
• Breakeven hurdle: Matching delay via TIPS needs 5-7% real rates for 90-100...

• Process-based safe harbor: Protects fiduciaries following prudent process for all 401(k) options, including alternatives.
• Alternative assets...

Essential steps to protect your savings:

• Estimate spending and tally income like Social Security or part-time work to calculate safe withdrawals.
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• Flexi-Access Drawdown: Crystallise pot for 25% tax-free lump sum, keep rest invested for flexible withdrawals — taxed as income, but exposed to...

• Modest 2026 COLA: 2.8% hike adds ~$50–$60/month for average retiree, up from 2.5% in 2025, but fails to match rising costs like healthcare.
• 2027...