Blogs

Understanding Uncertainty: Retirement Plan Webinar View Full Webinar Presentation All of us are surrounded by fear of risk. When the media discusses investments, so much is driven by what an investor could lose or gain. Some investments are marketed as growth, guaranteed, or safe. What is risk? What risks are relevant in your retirement plan? What is considered investment risk and what is our own behavioral risk? What do you do as a saver to combat the short and long-term risks so pervasive in our society? With the right strategies, you can manage risk and help grow your retirement account...

On the surface, retirement readiness did not suffer significantly in 2020, according to a close examination of the 1.1 million participants in 1,076 plans reviewed for a recent white paper. Of course, the market experienced significant dips in the first quarter of 2020, but results were broadly positive the rest of the year. Overall, year-over-year retirement readiness was down fewer than two percentage points — concerning, but not devastating. The paper, John Hancock’s State of the Participant 2021, examined data for the year ending September 30, 2020, digging deeper to see how participants...

Just like with a car, it’s a good idea to perform some annual maintenance on your retirement plan. Here’s a five-point inspection guide to help you continue to get good mileage out of your plan and ensure it stays reliable on your trip to retirement. 1. Review Your Retirement Saving Goals It’s challenging to predict your retirement needs, particularly if you’re in your 20s or 30s. But financial planners generally recommend replacing about 75% of preretirement income. Even if your retirement is decades away, you should use a retirement calculator at least once a year to estimate whether you’re...

Despite all the budgeting and cash flow tracking apps available, many people still struggle to manage their spending habits on a daily basis. What if there was a simple blueprint you could follow that could help you manage the way you spend your money and hold yourself accountable? The 70/20/10 rule of thumb helps provide a framework for managing your finances, limiting your spending, and assessing any debt that you plan to take on. According to the 70/20/10 rule, you should spend: 70% of your after-tax income on living expenses, such as food, childcare, insurance, discretionary expenses, and...