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.

<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.ncpers.org/costs-of-pension-reforms-income-inequality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hidden Costs of Pension Reforms: Rising Income Inequality, Lagging Economic Growth | National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems</a></h4>



Changes to the defined benefit pension landscape—including the shift from pensions to defined contribution plans like 401(k)s in the private sector—have contributed to worsening income equality among retirees over the years, according to new research. The study, from the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems, also concluded that income inequality has an overall negative effect on the economy by limiting growth.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rates-prices-inflation-federal-reserve-economy-2cd182eb34a7d6772ff573bec0bcf64d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jerome Powell Says Fed to Soon Begin Reducing Interest Rates | AP News</a></h4>



Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell confirmed he’s ready to start lowering interest rates. At the Fed’s annual conference in Wyoming, Powell said it’s time for policy to adjust as inflation has eased and the job market has cooled. Though Powell didn’t specify when the central bank will start to lower rates, many experts expect the first cut to come when the Federal Open Market Committee meets in September.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cpr.org/2024/08/25/colorado-talk-about-dementia-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Hopes to Raise Awareness of Dementia, Start Conversations, With New Campaign | Colorado Public Radio</a></h4>



The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is launching a new campaign called “Talk About Dementia.” The campaign aims to raise awareness about dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which can often go undiagnosed. Since early detection can be important for treatment, officials hope the campaign can help lessen dementia’s impact in the state.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2024/08/15/long-term-care-costs-emerge-as-a-top-issue-for-older-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long-Term Care Costs Emerge as a Top Issue for Older Americans | ThinkAdvisor</a></h4>



Paying for health care is one of the top concerns for retirees and those who are preparing for retirement. A new survey of Americans aged 50 and older found people are especially concerned about the cost of home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. The cost of acute medical care was the second-highest concern, followed by the cost of prescription medications.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



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

News You Should Know: Income Inequality Rises with Decrease in Pension Access, Study Finds

<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.planadviser.com/bipartisan-support-shown-federal-ira-re-introduced-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bipartisan Support Shown for Federal IRA in Re-Introduced Bill | PLANADVISER</a></h4>



Lawmakers in Congress are renewing efforts to establish a federal individual retirement account (IRA) program for workers who don’t have a retirement plan at work. The program would be similar to the automatic enrollment programs that multiple states, including Colorado, have launched in recent years.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://content.copera.org/news-you-should-know-federal-auto-ira-bill-has-bipartisan-support/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medicare Will Remove Limits on PET Scans Used With New Alzheimer’s Drugs | The Hill</a></h4>



The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said it is removing its limit on covering PET scans that can help diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The decision will make it easier for Medicare recipients to get prescriptions for the newer Alzheimer’s medications that treat amyloid plaques in the brain.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/dont-let-yourself-get-smished/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Don’t Let Yourself Get Smished | Next Avenue</a></h4>



Scammers are constantly changing their tactics to try to fool people, and “smishing” — or phishing via text message — has become increasingly common. Here are some tips for spotting and avoiding scams from friendly-sounding text messages.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23850582/millennials-aging-parents-boomers-seniors-family-care-taker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baby Boomers’ Aging Could be a Caregiver Crisis for Millennials | Vox</a></h4>



Many people in the Baby Boomer generation are beginning to reach the age when they start to require more care. That means younger generations are finding themselves in a “sandwich” situation wherein they are simultaneously taking care of children and aging parents. Experts say it’s an important issue to discuss and plan for as parents get older.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



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

News You Should Know: Federal Auto-IRA Bill Has Bipartisan Support

<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.alaskajournal.com/2023-02-21/alaska-public-worker-shortage-fuels-renewed-interest-pension-plan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alaska Public Worker Shortage Fuels Renewed Interest in Pension Plan | Alaska Journal of Commerce</a></h4>



Defined benefit pension plans can be a valuable tool in recruiting and retaining public employees like teachers and public safety officers. Recognizing that, lawmakers in Alaska this year are continuing their efforts to re-establish a pension plan similar to the one the state closed in 2006. They hope to stop a worsening trend of public workers leaving Alaska for jobs in other states that offer better benefits.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/401-k-and-ira-balances-plunged-in-2022-7113335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">401(k) and IRA Balances Plunged Over 20% in 2022 | Investopedia</a></h4>



2022 was a tough year in the markets, and workers’ retirement accounts were not immune. According to data from Fidelity, the average 401(k) balance was down more than 20 percent for the year, while the average IRA balance dropped by about 23 percent. The good news is that long-term, account balances are still showing good growth, with both 401(k) and IRAs up more than 30 percent over the past decade.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/470894/americans-fairly-satisfied-social-security-system.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Americans Fairly Satisfied With Social Security System | Gallup</a></h4>



Recent polling finds that Americans are split on their feelings about Social Security and Medicare. Forty-five percent of Americans told Gallup they’re satisfied with the programs and 45 percent said they’re dissatisfied. The survey found the groups that are most likely to utilize Social Security and Medicare — those who are older and who make less money — are also the most likely to be satisfied with them.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/key-facts-about-life-plan-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Key Facts About Life-Plan Communities | Next Avenue</a></h4>



If you’re planning what you want your later years to look like, or you’re helping a relative find long-term care, you may consider a continuing care retirement community, or life-plan community. These types of communities provide a wide variety of care and support services as you age, from independent living to memory care. Here are some factors to consider when making a decision.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



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

News You Should Know: Alaska Reconsidering Pension Plan to Fill Public Worker Shortage

<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.napa-net.org/news-info/daily-news/house-bill-would-allow-401k-withdrawals-pay-ltc-premiums" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House Bill Would Allow 401(k) Withdrawals to Pay LTC Premiums</a> | National Association of Plan Advisors</h4>



A new bill under consideration in Congress would allow people to take tax- and penalty-free withdrawals from their retirement accounts to pay for long-term care insurance. The change would apply to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and IRA accounts, if passed.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/24/only-19-percent-of-women-are-confident-theyre-saving-enough-to-retire-.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pandemic Has Widened the Gap Between Women and Men’s Retirement Savings. What to Know About Catching Up</a> | CNBC</h4>



New survey found only 19 percent of women say they’re confident they’ve saved enough money for retirement, compared to 35 percent of men. In 2013, that gap between men’s and women’s confidence was just 9 percentage points.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.today.com/health/essay/living-retirement-community-age-30-rcna19925" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Turned 30 and Moved Into a Retirement Community for 2 Years. Here’s What I Learned</a> | Today</h4>



A weekend trip to visit her parents at their retirement community in Florida turned into a much longer stay for Christina Manna when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020. Here are some life lessons she learned from living among retirees.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/grab-a-plate-with-nonna-pia-tiktoks-favorite-italian-grandmother/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grab a Plate With Nonna Pia — TikTok’s Favorite Italian Grandmother</a> | Next Avenue</h4>



Pia Quaglieri, 83, loves to cook for her family in New Jersey. And now that her grandson is sharing videos of her cooking on the social media app TikTok, she’s sharing her passion for food and family with millions of others as well.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



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

News You Should Know: Bill Would Allow 401(k) Withdrawals for Long-Term Care Insurance

A digest of timely information and insight about finance, investing, and retirement.



<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-why-you-shouldnt-count-on-social-security-2017-10-27" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This is why you shouldn’t count on Social Security |</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marketwatch.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MarketWatch</a>The Social Security system is expected to be exhausted by the early 2030s, experts say. Americans are still paying into the system every paycheck. What will happen, however, will be a cut to the benefits Americans receive. The government has noticed. The Social Security Administration put out a note last year saying Social Security and Medicare are both facing long-term shortfalls under the current structure, and that they together accounted for 42 percent of federal program expenditures in the fiscal year of 2016. In its 82 years, Social Security alone has collected almost $20 trillion — and it’s already paid out $17.1 trillion, leaving about $2.8 trillion in its two accounts (the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund) at the end of last year. The government expects the accounts to steadily decline until they are depleted in 2034. Last December, the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman proposed a 31 percent cut in benefits as one way to relieve this over-exhaustion.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/27/what-the-battle-over-401k-plans-means-for-your-retirement.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What the battle over 401(k) plans means for your retirement</a> |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>Any changes to taxes on your 401(k) savings won&#8217;t change two key tenets of planning for retirement: Save early and save as much as possible. That&#8217;s according to retirement experts even as 401(k) plans have gotten drawn into the tax-reform debate in Washington. Right now, workers who have access to 401(k) plans will be able to invest up to $18,500 next year, while participants age 50 and over will be able to put away $6,000 more. Under current rules, investors will not pay taxes on those contributions until a later date. That could all change if some lawmakers have their way. Limits for pretax contributions to 401(k) plans could be lowered to $2,400 as Congress looks to make up for other tax cuts.



<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-dont-count-on-social-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Op-Ed: There’s a better solution on pensions |</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://content.copera.org/retirement-roundup-dont-count-on-social-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lexington Herald-Leader</a>Proposed pension reforms in Kentucky leave in place the huge unfunded liability of anywhere from $33 billion to $84 billion. The General Assembly and local governments will have to find about $1 billion and $400 million, respectively, of additional revenue (taxes) or spending cuts each year, causing additional strains on Kentucky’s beleaguered public institutions and services. The impoverished state, full of talented and industrious citizens, will only be further impoverished. When the next downturn in the economy occurs, Kentucky’s bond ratings will be further reduced.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertlaura/2017/10/30/the-difference-between-retirement-and-successful-aging/#60711556b239" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Difference Between Retirement and Successful Aging |</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.forbes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a> While retirement may provide more time to work out and prepare healthier meals, it doesn’t come with any special fairy dust that suddenly provides extra motivation, desire, or discipline. In fact, retirement tends to magnify the existing behaviors and habits of people, not change them. Therefore, retirement doesn’t foster or lead to successful aging; it can actually work against it.



<a href="https://www.plansponsor.com/americans-greatest-fear-aging-covering-ltc-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Americans’ Greatest Fear About Aging is Covering Long Term Care Costs |</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plansponsor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLANSPONSOR</a>Not having enough money to pay for health care or long-term care is the greatest fear adults have about aging, Genworth found in a survey of 1,200 people. Despite these overwhelming apprehensions, only 20 percent of Americans have taken any steps towards figuring out how to finance or actually financing long-term care costs. In addition, only 50 percent feel they should be responsible for their own care as they age, with the remainder feeling it is the responsibility of the government, their family or community or faith-based organizations.



<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-dont-count-on-social-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ted Benna, father of the 401(k), thinks tax reform that favors Roth plans is ‘pretty stupid’</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://content.copera.org/retirement-roundup-dont-count-on-social-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pensions &amp; Investments</a> Ted Benna was a pioneer of the 401(k) plan, having developed the concept of pre-tax 401(k) deferrals. He adopted the first-ever 401(k) savings plan in 1981 for the Johnson Cos., where he worked as a retirement benefit consultant. Now, debate is swirling on Capitol Hill to reduce the pre-tax contribution limit from the current $18,000 annual limit as part of a Republican tax reform package set to be unveiled this week. Any contributions beyond the pre-tax limit would be mandated to go to Roth, or after-tax, accounts, a policy known as “Rothification.”



“I think it&#8217;s pretty stupid in terms of retirement policy,” Mr. Benna, now a consultant at an eponymous firm, told <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">InvestmentNews</a>. “There&#8217;s major concern about a retirement crisis that&#8217;s staring us in the face. (The 401(k) plan) is the plan, whether people like it or hate it, that&#8217;s the primary way for the average American to be saving for retirement.”

Retirement Roundup: Don’t Count on Social Security

<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-theres-retirement-money" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 things that matter more than money for a happy retirement </a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-7-reasons-to-volunteer-during-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. News &amp; World Report </a>If you are facing retirement with less money than you would prefer, don’t despair. There’s a lot more to enjoying a happy retirement than simply saving enough money. True wealth and happiness come from many sources.



<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/your-money/monk-who-fixes-broken-retirement-plans.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The monk who left the monastery to fix broken retirement plans</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Times </a>After decades as a committed seeker, Doug Lynam has found his calling. He wants to help schools build better retirement savings plans so their teachers can leave the classroom at a time of their choosing with dignity and grace. Having worked alongside other teachers during his time at a monastery, he found that 403(b) plans – like 401(k) s for nonprofits and educational institutions – might offer poor investment choices, high fees and abusive annuities. He now works to provide a better option.



<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-money-retirement-sandwichgen-idUSKBN18R2TT" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your money: Creative caregiving solutions for the ‘sandwich generation’</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reuters.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters </a>Stretched thin by the needs of their children and elderly parents, some in the “sandwich generation” have found a possible solution: Move young adults in with their grandparents and let them take care of each other.



<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2017/06/09/here-are-all-the-financial-reforms-that-will-disappear-with-dodd-frank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here are all the financial reforms that will disappear with Dodd-Frank</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.forbes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes </a>On June 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial CHOICE Act, a reform effort aimed at rolling back the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, enacted under President Barack Obama. Dodd Frank was a re-write of U.S. financial laws in the wake of the financial crisis, which altered everything from the trading of stocks and bonds to the way in which large banks are regulated. President Trump, however, believes regulations are slowing the U.S. economy.



<a href="http://crr.bc.edu/briefs/how-much-long-term-care-do-adult-children-provide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How much long-term care do adult children provide?</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-youre-not-warren-buffet-but-you-can-take-his-advice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Retirement Research at Boston College </a>As people age and their health deteriorates, the cost concerns, along with personal preferences, lead many to rely on informal care from their adult children rather than formal long-term care services. Research from the Center for Retirement Research found that at any given point, 6 percent of adult children serve as caregivers, and 17 percent will take on this role at some point in their lives – something that can take a toll on both the finances and health of the caregiver.



<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/get-there/a-new-rule-on-retirement-savings-advice-is-in-your-best-interest/2017/06/06/ef713b9a-4ad1-11e7-a186-60c031eab644_story.html?utm_term=.a7879a274015&amp;wpisrc=nl_finance&amp;wpmm=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">A new rule on retirement savings advice is in your best interest</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">The Washington Post </a>After a long battle, which still may not be over, investors are about to get some major help in determining which financial advisers are working in their best interest. The <a href="https://www.copera.org/retirement-roundup-long-1-million-last" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiduciary rule</a> that went into effect on June 9 will give retirement savers some common-sense protection that should bring to light conflicts of interest that could cost them dearly.

Tag Archives:

News You Should Know: Income Inequality Rises with Decrease in Pension Access, Study Finds

News You Should Know: Federal Auto-IRA Bill Has Bipartisan Support

News You Should Know: Alaska Reconsidering Pension Plan to Fill Public Worker Shortage

News You Should Know: Bill Would Allow 401(k) Withdrawals for Long-Term Care Insurance

Retirement Roundup: Don’t Count on Social Security

Retirement Roundup: There’s More to Retirement Than Money

Subscribe to PERA On The Issues