
<p>Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective</p>



<p></p>


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://coloradosun.com/2024/12/10/colorado-economic-forecast-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Colorado Experts Predict What the Economy Will Look Like in 2025 | The Colorado Sun</strong></a></h4>



<p>Every year, local experts have the difficult task of taking stock of the state economy and predicting what a new year will bring. For 2025, experts say the state’s population continues to grow, albeit slower than in years past. And that slower growth rate could have a ripple effect on the job market as employers struggle to find enough employees to fill open positions.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-many-retirees-to-make-required-withdrawals-from-retirement-plans-by-year-end-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>IRS Urges Many Retirees to Make Required Withdrawals by Year-End Deadline | Internal Revenue Service</strong></a></h4>



<p>If you’re retired and you have savings in a defined contribution plan like a 401(k), 457, or IRA, you’re likely required to make minimum required distributions (RMDs) by the end of each year. The IRS sent out a notice reminding retirees of the deadline and new rules enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/quiz-test-your-financial-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Quiz: Test Your Financial Literacy | Kiplinger</strong></a></h4>



<p>How would you rate your financial literacy? Believe it or not, three simple questions can help you gauge your literacy. If you can correctly answer all three multiple-choice questions, you’re doing better than over half of all Americans.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/real-estate/2024/12/10/how-america-can-age-in-plaec/76826197007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Baby Boomers Are Aging, and Most Want to Stay at Home Forever | USA Today</strong></a></h4>



<p>A recently released survey from AARP finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans say they want to stay in their homes and their local communities while they age, but many are unsure they’ll be able to do so. Half of the survey’s respondents said they were not confident their current living situation will meet their needs in the future, and over half of that group said they expect to move.</p>



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


News You Should Know: How Will Colorado’s Economy Fare in 2025?


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://money.com/trump-2024-victory-money-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump is the President-Elect. Here’s What It Means for Your Wallet | Money</a></strong></h4>



<p>Former President Donald Trump has won another term in the White House. What does that mean for the economy and the finances of everyday Americans? Here’s what we can likely expect, based on what Trump has said on the campaign trail.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2024/10/23/colorado-hospital-price-lookup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Coloradans Can Now Compare Hospital Prices for Specific Procedures, Insurance Plans | The Colorado Sun</strong></a></h4>



<p>The State of Colorado is looking to make it easier for people to shop around for their medical costs. A new website, ColoradoHospitalPrices.com, provides a one-stop shop for searching and comparing costs for various procedures and other medical care at different hospitals. The site also shows what different insurance providers pay for the same procedure. Officials hope the added transparency will help Coloradans lower their costs and increase competition between providers and facilities.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/11/03/new-required-minimum-distribution-2024/76026379007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>3 New Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules Everyone Should Know for 2024 | USA Today</strong></a></h4>



<p>The end of the year is approaching and so is the deadline for most people to take their annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. There have been some changes to RMD rules in recent years, so make sure you’re up-to-date and don’t face any penalties for not meeting the requirements.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://fortune.com/well/article/end-of-life-planning-conversation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>How to Discuss End-of-Life Planning with Aging Parents | Fortune Well</strong></a></h4>



<p>Talking about death can be uncomfortable or even taboo, but it’s an important discussion to have with loved ones. Here are some tips for navigating conversations about end-of-life wishes with parents who are getting older.</p>



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


News You Should Know: What a Second Trump Presidency Could Mean for Your Finances


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/us-national-plan-on-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>U.S. Finally Has a Plan on Aging: Will We Use It? | Next Avenue</strong></a></h4>



<p>A collection of federal agencies known as The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities has taken its first step toward developing a nationwide plan for supporting aging adults. The report focuses on four key areas: age-friendly communities, housing, long-term care, and health and well-being. Officials expect to release a more detailed action plan after listening to feedback from the public.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/irs-ends-confusion-annual-rmds-required-for-many-inherited-iras" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>New IRS Inherited IRA Rules: Annual RMDs Required for Many Beneficiaries | Kiplinger</strong></a></h4>



<p>The IRS issued final rules that clarify the requirements for people who inherit an individual retirement account (IRA) from the original account holder. Beginning in 2025, most non-spouse beneficiaries will have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) and deplete the account within 10 years.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.investmentnews.com/regulation-and-legislation/news/second-court-blocks-all-aspects-of-dols-fiduciary-rule-255828" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Second Court Blocks All Aspects of DOL&#8217;s Fiduciary Rule | InvestmentNews</strong></a></h4>



<p>Two district court judges have halted implementation of the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule. That rule, which had been set to go into effect in September, aims to increase protections for retirement savers by expanding the definition of who in the financial services sector is considered a fiduciary and is therefore required to act in their clients’ best interests. Insurance companies had sued the government to try to prevent the rule from taking effect.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://hbr.org/2024/07/why-people-resist-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Why People Resist Retirement | Harvard Business Review</strong></a></h4>



<p>Making the decision to retire is a complex and personal process, and it usually involves financial and health factors. But for some, transitioning into retirement is a challenge for various psychological reasons. New research from Harvard found three main obstacles prospective retirees face that aren’t financial: changes in identity, purpose, and relationships.</p>



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


News You Should Know: U.S. Releases Federal Framework on Aging


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/new-colorado-laws-effect-july-1-2024/73-fa0723cb-9ee3-4666-9d67-851b0a130aef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>New Colorado Laws Go Into Effect July 1, 2024 | 9News</strong></a></h4>



<p>During the recently concluded legislative session, state lawmakers passed more than 500 bills and sent them to Gov. Jared Polis for action. Of the bills signed into law, some are now starting to go into effect. Here are details on new laws taking effect July 1, including one pertaining to PERA retirees returning to work in school districts.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2024/06/12/elevated-interest-rates-rate-hike-lagging-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The &#8220;Lag Effect&#8221; of High Interest Rates is Playing Out | Marketplace</strong></a></h4>



<p>When the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in an effort to tamp down inflation in 2022, it did so with the understanding that the effects of higher rates would take some time to be realized. Experts say we’re now seeing some of those effects, though relief in the form of lower rates may not come as soon as previously expected.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/13/dont-just-set-it-and-forget-it-how-to-do-a-mid-year-financial-checkup.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Don’t &#8216;Just Set It and Forget It&#8217;: How To Do a Mid-Year Financial Checkup | CNBC</strong></a></h4>



<p>We’re halfway through 2024, and it’s a great time to pause and take stock of your financial situation for the year so far and gauge your progress toward meeting any goals you might have made. Taking a look at your cash flow, account balances, and even thinking ahead to next year’s tax returns can all help you make sure you’re on the right track.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.morningstar.com/retirement/8-little-known-facts-about-required-minimum-distributions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>8 Little-Known Facts About RMDs | Morningstar</strong></a></h4>



<p>If you’re retired, you’re probably familiar with required minimum distributions (RMDs) which are retirement account withdrawals you have to take from plans like IRAs and 401(k)s each year once you reach a certain age. But knowing when to start taking them and how much to withdraw can be a challenge, especially as rules change. Here are some tips and some common misconceptions about RMDs.</p>



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


News You Should Know: New Laws Going Into Effect July 1


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.plansponsor.com/will-ibm-resurrection-of-cash-balance-plan-cause-a-ripple-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Will IBM Resurrection of Cash Balance Plan Cause a Ripple Effect? | PLANSPONSOR</strong></a></h4>



<p>IBM made headlines in November when it announced it was ending its 401(k) match program in favor of a new defined benefit retirement account, a rarity among private-sector employers. The move has experts debating whether more companies will follow suit and open or reopen pension plans for their employees.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/forces-that-shaped-2023-in-charts-8410463" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>8 Forces That Shaped 2023—in Charts | Investopedia</strong></a></h4>



<p>2023 has been a memorable year in the markets, with events such as bank failures, interest rate raises, and labor strikes sending ripples through the economy. Take a visual look at some of the major events that told the financial story of 2023.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/one-key-rule-for-understanding-rmds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>One Key Rule for Understanding Your 2023 RMD | Kiplinger</strong></a></h4>



<p>The impending end of the year might have you thinking about required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts like 401(k)s. Changes to RMD rules in SECURE 2.0 legislation have made it a little more complicated to determine who’s required to start taking RMDs when, so here’s a simple guide.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/unused-529-plan-money-good-news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Got Unused 529 Plan Money? Here’s Some Good News | Next Avenue</strong></a></h4>



<p>Another change included in SECURE 2.0 will allow for unused funds in 529 college savings accounts to be rolled over into a retirement account. Beginning in January, you’ll be able to rollover excess funds from a 529 plan into a child’s Roth IRA, kickstarting their retirement savings.</p>



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


News You Should Know: IBM Reviving DB Plan; Will Other Companies Follow?


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2021/best-rmd-strategies.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>How an IRS Rule Update Impacts Required Minimum Distributions</strong></a><strong> | AARP</strong></h4>



<p>Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) — the minimum amounts retirees are required to withdraw from their retirement accounts each year — resumed in 2021 after being suspended in 2020. An update to the formulas the IRS uses to calculate RMDs could mean you’ll be required to withdraw less money in 2022. Here’s what you need to know.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/2021-influencers-in-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>2021’s Influencers in Aging</strong></a><strong> | Next Avenue</strong></h4>



<p>The term “influencer” might conjure images of young social media stars and celebrities who help define what’s trendy and what’s not. Here are some entrepreneurs, authors, academics and others working to change perceptions about getting older.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/30/you-can-deduct-up-to-300-in-charitable-donations-this-year.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>You Can Deduct Up To $300 in Charitable Donations This Year—Even If You Take the Standard Deduction</strong></a><strong> | CNBC</strong></h4>



<p>If you don’t itemize your tax deductions, you might not bother keeping track of the receipts from any charitable donations you make. But a change in the law during the COVID-19 pandemic means even those who take the standard deduction can write off some donations made in 2021 — up to $300 for individuals or $600 for married couples filing jointly.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/the-best-wearables-for-seniors-140033448.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Best Wearables for Seniors</strong></a><strong> | Yahoo!</strong></h4>



<p>Today’s wearable tech like smartwatches can do more than just count steps — they can keep track of important vital signs, detect falls, and put helpful features like voice control right on your wrist. If you’re shopping for the tech-savvy senior in your life (or shopping for yourself), here are some good options.</p>



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


News You Should Know: IRS Changing RMD Rules for 2022


<p><em>A digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>



<p><a href="https://money.com/rmd-401k-roth-ira-requirements-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retirees Don&#8217;t Have to Take Required Minimum Distributions This Year. But What If You Already Did?</a> | <a href="http://www.money.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Money</a></p>



<p>The CARES Act modified RMD rules for 2020. But for those who withdrew in the first few months of the year only because they thought they had to, you might be able to reverse that action.<em> </em></p>



<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article may not reflect how the CARES Act will impact PERA &#8211; please refer to PERA’s webpage for further information.</em></p>



<p><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/05/25/conversation-colorado-legislature-session/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A conversation about what to expect when the Colorado legislature returns to the Capitol on Tuesday</a> | <a href="https://coloradosun.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Colorado Sun</a></p>



<p>Political reporters discuss what they expect to see in the weeks ahead as the 2020 legislative session resumes. From big policy decisions to basic logistical questions like where members will sit, questions abound.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.kunc.org/post/colorado-unemployment-jumps-113-pandemic-erases-jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Unemployment Jumps To 11.3% As Pandemic Erases Jobs</a> | <a href="http://kunc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KUNC</a></p>



<p>In early February, the unemployment rate in Colorado was as low as 2.5%. The rate has more than quadrupled since then. The prior record was 8.9%, set in 2010. Still, Colorado’s rate remains one of the lowest in the nation.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/video/jerome-powell-federal-reserve-economic-crisis-coronavirus-pandemic-60-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Chair Jerome Powell: The 2020 60 Minutes interview</a> | <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CBS News</a></p>



<p>In this video, the head of the central banking system discusses his thoughts on peak unemployment, what the Fed can do to aid the recovery, and other topics that everyone is thinking about.</p>


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