Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective

A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.

<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/" class="broken_link">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">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.

pills and dollar bills

News You Should Know: Colorado Can Begin Importing Drugs from Canada

<a href="https://tsscolorado.com/pinnacol-and-its-advocates-end-effort-to-privatize-via-a-state-ballot-initiative/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinnacol and Its Advocates End Effort to Privatize via a State Ballot Initiative | The Sum &amp; Substance</a>



While the proposed conversion of Pinnacol Assurance from a quasi-public entity to a private one—and its potential financial implications for Colorado PERA—was the subject of discussions during the recently concluded legislative session, lawmakers did not move forward on the issue. Supporters of privatization had been pursuing a ballot measure on the topic, but that proposal is also off the table as stakeholders discuss other options for the workers’ compensation insurer.



<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/19/six-biggest-themes-of-colorados-2026-legislative-session/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 6 Biggest Themes of Colorado’s 2026 Legislative Session | The Colorado Sun</a>



The 2026 legislative session ended in mid-May after 120 days during which lawmakers introduced and debated hundreds of bills. &nbsp;Here are some over-arching themes from the session, from bipartisan work to the major task of passing a balanced budget.



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-kevin-warsh-jerome-powell-interest-rates-95ccceb935f5c6ebc3b6a4528fd3cbcb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Who is Incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh? | The Associated Press</a>



The Federal Reserve has a new chair for the first time in nearly a decade. Kevin Warsh, who previously served as a governor on the Fed’s board, is replacing outgoing chair Jerome Powell. He takes over the central bank during a challenging period when inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target.



<a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/puzzles/quizzes/turning-65-quiz-are-you-ready" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turning 65 This Year? Take Our 2-Minute Quiz And See If You&#8217;re Ready For the Big Transition | Kiplinger</a>



If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re approaching a major milestone in life that brings with it some important decisions that can affect your finances in retirement. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on topics like Medicare, Social Security, and longevity.



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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 Building 3

News You Should Know: Supporters End Ballot Effort for Pinnacol Privatization

<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/05/04/social-security-benefit-cap-proposal/89934088007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Proposal Would Cap Social Security at $100,000. Will It Fly? | USA Today</a>



The latest estimates show Social Security is likely to deplete its reserves in less than a decade, which could lead to benefit reductions if Congress doesn’t take action before then. A recent proposal calls for shoring up the system by limiting benefit payments for higher earners. This article examines the pros and cons of that option as well as other proposals for improving Social Security’s funding.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/30/trump-executive-order-expanding-retirement-account-access.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Signs Executive Order Expanding Retirement Account Access for Workers | CNBC</a>



An executive order will soon make it easier for private-sector employees to enroll in a retirement plan if they don’t have one at work. The order establishes a new website, which will launch in 2027, that allows workers to compare and enroll in privately-run individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Eligible workers can also receive matching contributions from the federal government.



<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/04/nx-s1-5787940/tool-survey-helps-plan-aging-longevity-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Oldest Millennials are 45! This Tool Helps Plan for Longevity | NPR</a>



You may be thinking regularly about retirement and making sure your finances are in order, but how well have you prepared for other aspects of aging? A new survey from the MIT AgeLab and John Hancock Insurance, called the Longevity Preparedness Index, goes beyond money to assess readiness on a variety of factors, such as social support, health, and ease of access to your home.



<a href="https://www.moneydigest.com/2165533/retirement-destinations-united-states-ranked-worst-to-best/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2026 Retirement Destinations In The US, Ranked Worst To Best | Money Digest</a>



Cities in Florida and Arizona may be traditionally popular spots for people looking to relocate in retirement, but locations around the country are gaining ground. This list examines some cities with high percentages of retirement-age citizens and the positive and negative factors that may influence a decision to move there. While no cities in Colorado made the list, one city in a neighboring state came in near the bottom while another ranked in first place.



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

Social Security cards and cash

News You Should Know: Should Social Security Cap Benefits at $100K?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://parade.com/living/hardest-year-of-retirement-is-the-third-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Psychology Says the Hardest Year of Retirement Isn’t the First—It’s the Third. Here’s Why | Parade</a></h2>



When preparing for retirement, you might think the first year after leaving full-time employment will provide the biggest challenge as you adjust to your new lifestyle. However, it turns out many people have a lot of plans for year one, and it’s actually a couple years in that they begin to realize how much their life has changed. Here are some tips for making the adjustment a little easier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2026/04/states-with-automated-retirement-savings-programs-see-growth-in-new-private-plans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">States With Auto</a><a href="https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2026/04/states-with-automated-retirement-savings-programs-see-growth-in-new-private-plans" class="broken_link">mated Retirement Savings Programs See Growth in New Private Plans | Pew</a></h2>



New research provides evidence that state-run retirement plans with automatic enrollment continue to encourage private-sector employers to offer plans of their own, expanding access to retirement savings. According to Pew, Colorado had the highest rate of new plan formation among states with so-called “auto-IRAs” in 2023, the first year of the Colorado SecureSavings program.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2026/04/17/new-bills-boost-caregivers-retirement-savings-options/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">New Bills Boost Ca</a><a href="https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2026/04/17/new-bills-boost-caregivers-retirement-savings-options/" class="broken_link">regivers&#8217; Retirement Savings Options | ThinkAdvisor</a></h2>



Two new bills under consideration in Congress aim to make it easier for caregivers to save money for retirement. If passed, the bills would remove some of the current limits on retirement plan contributions for people who leave the workforce to care for a loved one, particularly with regard to Roth IRA and catch-up contributions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/want-to-use-ai-to-plan-your-retirement-heres-how-to-proceed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Want to Use AI to Plan Your Retirement? Here’s How to Proceed | MIT Sloan School of Management</a></h2>



People are increasingly turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT for financial advice, including planning for retirement. Experts say AI is good at some aspects of financial planning and the technology is improving rapidly, but it’s important to use caution as AI still has its limits and isn’t bound by the same regulations as human advisers.



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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 on beach at sunset

News You Should Know: Why the Third Year of Retirement is Often the Hardest

<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/01/colorado-budget-draft-billion-shortfall-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawmakers Finish Drafting Colorado’s Budget with Final Round of Major Cuts to Address Roughly $1.5 Billion Shortfall | The Colorado Sun</a></h2>



State lawmakers are working on finalizing the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget after months of work to identify approximately $1.5 billion in spending cuts. Medicaid costs account for a large portion of state spending and were also a major focus of budget cuts. Once the Legislature approves a budget, it will go to Governor Jared Polis for action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/363ae74e201/e377eac1-5b13-469c-9826-ad4a987045b0.pdf?rdr=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hazards of Mandating Social Security for the Public Sector (PDF) | Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security</a></h2>



Like many public employees across the country, most PERA members do not participate in Social Security for their retirement or survivor and disability benefits. There are sometimes calls to mandate Social Security for all public employees, but a new report highlights the significant added costs and other issues that could arise from requiring participation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/04/04/retirement-age-in-america-social-security-medicare/89439716007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s the Real Retirement Age in America? Here are 4 Guesses | USA Today</a></h2>



When do American workers actually retire? It can vary widely based on personal circumstances, but according to some research, the average retirement age has been inching upward over the past several decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading h5"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/financial-literacy-quiz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Literacy Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Money? | NerdWallet</a></h2>



April is Financial Literacy Month, which provides a great opportunity to test your own knowledge about money. This quiz from NerdWallet covers the basics on topics such as taxes, saving, and debt.



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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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