More than half of Americans who retired in the past five years express regrets about their retirement savings, with 28% wishing they had started saving earlier and 13% wishing they had contributed more each year, according to a Nationwide Retirement Institute survey. Many underestimated how much they would need in retirement, forcing them to adjust their spending and withdrawals.

High earners age 50 and older can no longer claim catch-up contributions to 401(k)s as upfront deductions under a SECURE 2.0 rule that requires those making $150,000 a year or more to make catch-up contributions only to Roth 401(k)s. However, experts say the change presents a long-term planning opportunity, allowing high earners to benefit from the tax-free withdrawals and the exemption from required minimum distributions that Roth accounts offer.

Advisors weigh in on a case involving a retiree who wants to travel and enjoy retirement savings, while his wife is concerned about spending money that could be an inheritance for their grandchildren. The advisors note that there's no need to treat these goals as mutually exclusive. By allocating part of their savings to inheritance and another portion to experiences, they can address both priorities and minimize guilt or conflict.

Staying on top of Medicare changes can help older Americans avoid penalties or coverage gaps, writes Tricia Blazier of Allsup. Blazier reviews changes to the program for 2026, including those related to premiums, drug coverage and enrollment rules.

A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows wealth can decline as much as six years before a dementia diagnosis, mostly because of impaired financial decision-making. Study co-author Jing Li says dementia should be treated as a "universal risk." "Everybody has a non-zero probability [of developing it]," Li says. "You should be actively thinking about preventing the financial consequences of it while you're in perfect health."

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has revived a pension reform plan aimed at fully funding the state's pensions by 2048, surpassing the current goal of 90% funding by 2045. The plan includes using state fund surpluses for pension debt and extending the pension buyout program, which has already reduced liabilities by $2.9 billion. However, the Illinois General Assembly has yet to advance this or alternative pension reform proposals.

CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Stephen Gilmore discusses the pension fund's shift to a total portfolio approach, set to launch July 1. Gilmore emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of investment strategies, proxying and active risk allocation. He also highlights the importance of collaboration among investment teams and transparency in managing risks.

Eight states continue to levy taxes on Social Security benefits, including Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota, according to AARP. Meanwhile, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska ended state taxes on Social Security benefits in 2024.

Baby boomers are often reluctant to discuss wealth plans with beneficiaries due to generational attitudes toward money and fears of running out of funds or creating entitlement, writes attorney Phillip Reed. However, keeping too much information private can lead to confusion and conflict. Reed recommends sharing contact information for your estate planning team and details about any trusts or conditions, while keeping sensitive information such as specific amounts and asset locations private.

US private payrolls increased by 22,000 in January, falling short of the Dow Jones consensus forecast of 45,000, according to ADP. The education and health services sectors gained 74,000 jobs during the month. "Hiring is softening. It continues a pattern that we've noticed for the past three years," says Nela Richardson, ADP's chief economist.

Americans are more worried about retirement than they are about their own mortality. Some concerns are timeless -- like inflation, taxes and Social Security's solvency -- but a new worry has taken center stage in recent decades: the risk of outliving retirement savings. As defined-benefit plans have declined in the private sector, defined-contribution plans have emerged as an imperfect substitute. Learn more.

Securitization began in 1968 with the founding of Ginnie Mae, which aimed to keep housing affordable by insuring certain loans. This innovation gave investors access to mortgage cash flows without directly owning or servicing loans, while allowing lenders to recycle capital. Today, securitization remains a cornerstone of modern finance -- channeling capital efficiently, boosting liquidity and expanding access to credit. With issuance rising and institutional interest growing, non-Agency RMBS are set to remain a key pillar of US fixed income. Learn more.