Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective

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<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/fed-says-household-income-wealth-debt-stress-rose-2022-2025-2026-10-09/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Says Household Income, Wealth, Debt Stress Increased From 2022 to 2025 | Reuters</a>



There’s mixed news in the latest release of the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. According to the survey, many American families saw increases in incomes and wealth from 2022 to 2025, but there are signs that more families are experiencing financial stress, as well. Debt is a challenge for many, with median debt payment as a share of income and debt-to-income ratios increasing over the three-year period.



<a href="https://www.thestreet.com/retirement/irs-2026-rmd-deadline-penalty-secure-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">IRS Clock Ticks Down on Retirees With Unfinished 2026 RMDs | TheStreet</a>



The end of the year is quickly approaching, and so is the deadline for taking minimum required distributions (RMDs) from defined contribution retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. Here’s what to know about who’s required to take distributions this year and how to calculate your RMD amount.



<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/questions-about-your-financial-advisor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Look for These 3 Attributes in a Financial Advisor | NerdWallet</a>



Working with a financial advisor can make a big difference when it comes to making your financial goals a reality. If you’re looking for an advisor or just recently started working with one, here are some key questions to ask to make sure your advisor is a good fit.



<a href="https://www.9news.com/video/money/personal-finance/denver-high-school-student-financial-literacy-investment/73-a2565695-3e74-4ec8-9160-e18f4d72e57c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denver High School Students Given $1,000 to Invest | 9News</a>



Some Denver high school students are getting a jumpstart on their savings goals and financial education with a free gift of money to invest. The program provides each student with $1,000 to build an investment portfolio and lessons in how to manage it. After the students complete the program, the $1,000 is theirs to keep.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

Man using calculator Accounting Calculating Cost Economic bills with money stack step growing growth saving money in home , finance concept

News You Should Know: Income, Wealth on the Rise Along With Money Stress

<a href="https://www.ncpers.org/blog/the-future-of-social-security-the-reform-proposals-congress-is-considering" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Future of Social Security: The Reform Proposals Congress Is Considering | National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems</a>



As Social Security’s projected insolvency dates inches closer, momentum is growing in Washington, DC to tackle the issue and shore up the system’s finances so beneficiaries won’t have to worry about benefit cuts in the future. Here’s an overview of some of the proposals that are on the table so far.



<a href="https://www.napa-net.org/news/2026/9/irs-to-inform-taxpayers-about-savers-match-eligibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">IRS to Inform Taxpayers About Saver’s Match Eligibility | National Association of Plan Advisors</a>



The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to begin notifying taxpayers who are eligible for the new Saver’s Match, which goes into effect in 2027 and replaces the Saver’s Credit. The Saver’s Match was one of the provisions of 2022’s SECURE Act 2.0 and will provide up to $1,000 in matching contributions deposited into the retirement savings accounts of low-income workers.



<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/how-retirees-spending-has-changed-the-major-differences-from-past-generations-12132123" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">How Retirees’ Spending Has Changed: The Major Differences From Past Generations | Investopedia</a>



A new analysis finds retirees are spending more than in the past, even after accounting for inflation. According to Investopedia, spending has increased in most categories, but housing, transportation, and healthcare have seen the largest increases since 1990. Categories that have seen decreases in spending include tobacco, reading, and apparel.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/01/treasury-trump-accounts-auto-enroll-more-than-60-million-children.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Accounts Have Auto-Enrolled More Than 60 Million Children, Treasury Says | CNBC</a>



The Department of the Treasury says it has automatically created 530A retirement savings accounts, also known as Trump accounts, for 60 million American children. However, that doesn’t mean the accounts will automatically start accruing savings. Parents who want to contribute to their child’s account or receive the $1,000 starter donation from the federal government must actually claim the account.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

U.S. Capitol and Social Security

News You Should Know: The Latest on Social Security Proposals in Congress

<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/09/18/colorado-lawmakers-massive-budget-shortfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">State Lawmakers Expected to Face Massive Budget Shortfall Again Next Year | Colorado Newsline</a>



When Colorado lawmakers reconvene for the next legislative session in January, they’ll once again face a significant budget challenge. At a recent meeting of the Joint Budget Committee, officials said the State could be facing a budget deficit of nearly $1.6 billion for the 2027-28 fiscal year, largely driven by Medicaid spending.



<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/what-a-fed-rate-hike-means-for-your-bank-accounts-loans-credit-cards-and-investments-220526102.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What a Fed Rate Hike Means For Your Bank Accounts, Loans, Credit Cards, and Investments | Yahoo! Finance</a>



The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point increase in its key interest rate as the central bank tries to rein in inflation. Here’s how that decision can trickle down to affect consumer finances through the interest rates on savings, loans, and other accounts.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/03/401k-ira-retirement-balances-leakage-fidelity.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Average 401(k), IRA Balances Hit Record Highs — But More Workers are Raiding Their Accounts, Fidelity Says | CNBC</a>



Retirement plan provider Fidelity said account balances reached a new record high in the second quarter of 2026. The average 401(k) balance rose to $155,800 and the average IRA balance hit $144,523, Fidelity said. However, the report also found more people tapping into their savings for other uses—the number of account holders who took out a loan or made a hardship withdrawal also rose year-over-year.



<a href="https://www.healthday.com/health-news/neurology/social-media-posts-mislead-about-blood-tests-for-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Media Posts Mislead About Blood Tests For Alzheimer&#8217;s | HealthDay</a>



The FDA has in recent years approved several blood tests to help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease without relying on more invasive procedures. However, a recent report raises concerns about the tests being promoted on social media, with many accounts promoting the test to healthy people without any signs of the disease. Experts say the test is only intended for people with symptoms of dementia and should always be done with a doctor’s supervision.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

Colorado State Capitol

News You Should Know: State Lawmakers Facing Another Tough Budget Year

<a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/retirement-savings-survey/133047" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Survey: 7 in 10 Think Pensions Better Than 401(k)s | WalletHub</a>



A new survey finds employees continue to prefer defined benefit pension plans over defined contribution plans like 401(k)s for retirement savings. According to WalletHub, 7 out of 10 survey respondents said a pension is better. The survey also found strong support for increasing contributions to improve Social Security’s finances.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/28/sports-betting-gen-z-investors.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">52% of Gen Z Investors Have Redirected Investing Money to Sports Bets | CNBC</a>



Younger Americans are increasingly taking big risks with their money, with over half of Gen Z investors saying they’ve shifted money intended for investing to sports bets. Experts warn that while sports betting can offer excitement and quick wins, it doesn’t provide the steady long-term asset growth that is needed for building retirement savings.



<a href="https://money.com/medicare-scams-open-enrollment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medicare Scams Are Surging Ahead of Open Enrollment | Money</a>



Health insurance open enrollment season is right around the corner (<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirees/health-benefits-peracare">PERACare</a> Open Enrollment begins in October) and scammers are jumping at the chance to take advantage of retirees. Here are some common tactics scammers use to try to get your personal information and how to keep your data safe.



<a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/what-i-wish-id-known-at-45-retirees-best-financial-advice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;What I Wish I’d Known at 45&#8242;: Retirees&#8217; Best Financial Advice | Kiplinger</a>



The best advice comes from people with relevant experience. Older Americans who have made the transition into retirement share what they would do differently with their money if they could go back in time to their prime working and saving years.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

raised-hands-poti

News You Should Know: Survey Finds 70% of Workers Still Prefer Pensions

<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/map-retirement-savings-states-america-12318822" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Map Shows Where Retirement Savings Stretch Furthest in America | Newsweek</a>



A new ranking puts Colorado among the top U.S. states for retiree incomes. According to IntegraCredit, Colorado retirees have an average income of $32,379 and net worth of $342,383, putting the Centennial State in fifth place behind Alaska, Maryland, Virginia, and California. However, the ranking doesn’t take cost of living into consideration, and some of the states with the highest incomes can also be expensive places to live.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/20/trump-accounts-investment-rules-treasury.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treasury Proposes Low-Cost Investment Rules for Trump Accounts | CNBC</a>



The Treasury Department released proposed rules for which types of investments can be included in 530A accounts, also known as Trump Accounts. The tax-advantaged accounts are designed for children to build savings over their lifetime, and the Treasury proposal focuses on index funds with low fees.



<a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/retirement-savings-hackers-are-looking-for-easy-access" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hackers Are Looking for Easy Access to Your Retirement Savings | Kiplinger</a>



It’s easier than ever to access financial accounts like banking and investments online, and criminals keep finding ways to gain access to those accounts and steal from unsuspecting victims. In many cases, hackers attempt to gain access indirectly by taking over email accounts or cell phone numbers. Here are some tips for keeping your accounts and personal information safe.



<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/16/denver-university-perfect-pair-program-students-seniors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Rapidly Aging Colorado Confronts Social Isolation, DU Students Join Nationwide Effort to Bridge the Gap | The Colorado Sun</a>



Maintaining social connections is an important part of living a full life in retirement, and university students in Colorado are helping by spending time with local seniors. The students are part of a nonprofit called Perfect Pair, which facilitates connections between student volunteers and residents of assisted living communities.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

retiree-with-calculator-poti

News You Should Know: Which States Have the Highest Retiree Incomes

<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/10/fed-rate-hike-prospects-higher-interest-rates.html">Interest Rates May Stay Higher for Longer. What That Means for Consumers | CNBC</a>



The Federal Reserve has been keeping its key interest rate steady so far this year, but experts say increases are likely in the future as inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target. The Fed rate remaining higher for longer can have implications for the interest rates on consumer debt like credit cards and loans.



<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/07/29/medicare-part-d-drug-costs-trump-subsidy/91088779007/">Why Medicare Consumers Could See Higher Part D Premiums in 2027 | USA Today</a>



Some Medicare enrollees could see their prescription costs rise next year due to a change in federal policy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced an end to Medicare Part D subsidies that had been in place since the Biden administration and was intended to help keep plan premiums lower. The change only applies to individual Part D prescription plans, not Medicare Advantage plans like those offered through PERACare. We will have information available on PERACare plans and premiums in early October, and encourage enrollees to explore all options to find the coverage that’s right for them.



<a href="https://www.plansponsor.com/treasury-irs-lay-groundwork-for-new-savers-match-retirement-benefit/">Treasury, IRS Lay Groundwork for New Saver’s Match Retirement Benefit | Plansponsor</a>



The federal government is working to finalize rules for the new Saver’s Match, which replaces the Saver’s Credit for lower-income workers. The Saver’s Match, which was part of the major retirement bill known as SECURE Act 2.0 in 2022, takes effect in 2027 and will allow the government to deposit matching contributions directly into an eligible worker’s retirement savings account such as a 401(k) or IRA.



<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/the-majority-of-retirees-say-they-regret-not-saving-enough-or-saving-sooner-12031112" class="broken_link">More Than 3 in 4 Retirees Regret Not Saving Sooner. How Do You Compare? | Investopedia</a>



The results of a recent survey reinforce the importance of early retirement planning and saving. According to the TIAA Institute, 76% of retirees say they regret not saving for retirement earlier in their career, and 71% wish they had saved more. In addition, nearly half said they wished they had done a better job of planning for costs associated with healthcare and long-term care.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

Federal Reserve dollar bill

News You Should Know: What Higher Fed Interest Rates Mean for You

<a href="https://midhudsonnews.com/2026/07/19/lawler-introduces-bill-to-reduce-federal-taxes-on-public-pensions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Reduce Federal Taxes on Public Pensions | Mid-Hudson News</a>



A New York lawmaker has introduced a bill in Congress that would reduce the amount of federal tax retirees owe on public pension income. Under current law, the federal government taxes pension payments like ordinary income, but the Public Service Retirement Tax Relief Act could provide tax relief up to $10,000 for individual taxpayers, if passed.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/15/public-service-loan-forgiveness-pslf-changes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Service Loan Forgiveness Has New Rules — 3 Changes Borrowers Should Know About | CNBC</a>



New rules took affect this month for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives student loan balances for borrowers working in government and other public service jobs. Here’s what to know about what’s changing and who remains eligible for the program.



<a href="https://www.upworthy.com/after-watching-how-boomers-retired-forward-gen-x-is-retiring-backward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">After Watching How Boomers Retired ‘Forward,’ Gen X is Retiring ‘Backward’ | Upworthy</a>



Are you planning to retire “forward” or “backward”? While many people look ahead to retirement and picking up new hobbies or experiences, there seems to be a growing trend among younger retirees and soon-to-be-retirees of looking back at the things they enjoyed earlier in life and resuming those activities in retirement.



<a href="https://crr.bc.edu/a-mid-year-money-checkup-can-help-fine-tune-your-finances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Mid-Year Money Checkup Can Help Fine-Tune Your Finances | Center for Retirement Research at Boston College</a>



We’re already more than halfway through 2026, and while many people wait until the end of the year or the new year to assess progress toward financial goals, mid-year is a great opportunity for a check-up. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has some suggestions for taking stock of your financial situation and making adjustments as needed.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

tax-form-and-check-on-desk

News You Should Know: Lawmaker Proposes Capping Federal Taxes on Public Pensions

<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/australia-shows-what-trump-retirement-revolution-could-mean-americans-12164491" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australia Shows What Trump’s Retirement Revolution Could Mean for Americans | Newsweek</a>



The President continues to look to Australia for inspiration for a potential shift in the how the United States handles retirement savings in the private sector. Unlike the U.S., Australia’s retirement system uses mandatory employer-funded accounts that follow a worker from one job to the next, with supplemental savings coming from a Social Security-style plan.



<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/judge-blocks-colorados-first-of-its-kind-price-cap-amgens-enbrel-2026-07-01/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Judge Blocks Colorado&#8217;s First-of-its-Kind Price Cap on Amgen&#8217;s Enbrel | Reuters</a>



A judge has blocked Colorado from placing a price cap on the popular arthritis drug Enbrel. Colorado became the first state in the country to attempt to cap a prescription drug’s cost when the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board declared Enbrel unaffordable and moved to limit its price. In issuing a preliminary injunction, a federal judge said the price cap is likely to harm Amgen, the medication’s manufacturer.



<a href="https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2026/07/parents-growing-more-comfortable-talking-to-kids-about-money-u-s-bank-data-says/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parents Growing More Comfortable Talking to Kids About Money, U.S. Bank Data Says | ABA Banking Journal</a>



A new survey finds that while many people report growing up in homes where money is rarely a topic of discussion, that trend appears to be shifting. According to the survey from U.S. Bank, 49% of Baby Boomers said they discussed money while growing up, versus 62% of Generation Z who said the same. In addition, a majority of current parents said they feel comfortable talking to their kids about money.



<a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/get-affordable-financial-advice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Get Financial Advice You Can Afford | AARP</a>



It’s a common misconception that financial advisers are only for people with large account balances or a lot of assets to manage. While many advisers’ fees are a percentage of their clients’ assets, it’s also possible to find advisers who charge an hourly rate and can help navigate individual financial decisions instead of managing your money for you.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

Senior grandparents reading documents, having issue problem debt with money loss

News You Should Know: Could the U.S. Adopt an Australian-Style Retirement System?

<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-state-for-healthy-aging-ranked-11985428" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">The Best State in America for Healthy Aging Has Been Revealed | Travel + Leisure</a>



A new ranking puts Colorado near the top of U.S. states for supporting healthy aging. According to the list from America First Healthcare, Colorado ranks second overall and lands among the top five for factors such as weather and low rates of smoking and physical inactivity among older residents. Our neighbors in Utah took the top spot on the list.



<a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/more-states-require-personal-finance-but-does-it-actually-work/2026/06" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">More States Require Personal Finance. But Does It Actually Work? | EducationWeek</a>



Many states, including Colorado, have added financial education to graduation requirements in recent years. But research shows not all education is effective at improving students’ finances long-term. Experts say providing standalone courses in personal finance—rather than embedding lessons into existing courses such as economics—is shown to be most effective at improving credit scores and financial well-being.



<a href="https://www.morningstar.com/funds/gen-z-invests-earlier-than-any-generation-also-scores-lowest-financial-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Gen Z Invests Earlier Than Any Generation … and Also Scores Lowest on Financial Literacy | Morningstar</a>



Members of Generation Z are participating in the stock market far earlier than the generations that preceded them, making their first investment at an average age of 19, according to recent research. But they appear to be doing so without a solid foundation of financial knowledge—that generation correctly answered just 38% of questions on the 2026 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, and nearly half of them are getting their investing advice from social media.



<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/retirement-planning-for-people-without-kids-how-to-prepare-for-long-term-care-an-12000063" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">How People Without Kids Can Plan for Retirement, Long-Term Care, and Estate Decisions | Investopedia</a>



Being retired without children can provide a great deal of freedom, but it also brings some unique considerations when it comes to financial planning and health care. Here are some tips for managing estate matters, planning for long-term care, and factors to consider.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

older-couple-with-bikes

News You Should Know: Colorado Named 2nd Best State for Healthy Aging

<a href="https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/15/colorado-import-prescription-drugs-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Colorado Wins Federal Approval to Import Prescription Drugs from Canada | Colorado Public Radio</a>



The FDA has signed off on Colorado’s plan to start importing some prescription medications from Canada to save consumers money. The approval applies to 20 drugs that could be available in Colorado by next year, if Canada has enough supply to export them.



<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/why-more-retirees-rely-on-pensions-than-most-people-realize-11983971" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Why More Retirees Rely on Pensions Than Most People Realize | Investopedia</a>



Defined benefit pensions may be harder to come by these days, but they’re still a major piece of the retirement income puzzle for many Americans. While many private-sector employees used to have access to a pension at work, such plans are largely only available to public employees today. That shift shows up in the data when you compare pension access by age group: More than half of workers age 65 or older have a pension compared to just 4% under the age of 24.



<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/09/politics/social-security-trust-fund-runs-out-2032" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Security Retirement Trust Fund Will Run Dry in 2032 Unless Congress Acts | CNN</a>



Social Security’s retirement trust fund is now expected to run out of money in 2032 if Congress doesn’t take action to shore up the system, according to the latest estimate from Social Security’s trustees. Medicare’s trust fund is in similar shape, facing depletion in 2033. Both programs could be forced to reduce benefits if they run out of money in their reserves.



<a href="https://parade.com/living/best-questions-for-your-financial-advisor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">3 Questions Everyone Should Ask a Financial Advisor During the First Meeting | Parade</a>



Working with a professional such as a financial advisor can make a big difference when it comes to setting and achieving money goals. If you’re meeting with an advisor for the first time, some of the most helpful questions to ask don’t actually have anything to do with how to manage your money.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective

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