Your money problems: Now with 50% more political drama

Politics isn't usually the first thing you think about when planning your finances. But in 2026, ignoring Washington DC could cost you. The good news? You don't need to become a political junkie to protect your money. You just need a solid plan.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Why politics is now a top money concern

• 40% of "retirees" are still working. Here's why.

• Major 401(k) changes hitting in 2026

• The real way to stand out in today's job market

P.S. If you want to talk through your own finances, you can book a free 1-hour coaching call here ☎️

Politics just became your wallet’s biggest problem

If you've been feeling like politics is making it harder to plan your financial future, you're not imagining things. For the first time in years, the political environment has become the #1 concern when people think about their financial futures.

Recent data shows that around half of Americans now cite politics as their biggest worry when it comes to reaching their financial goals. That's ahead of inflation (39%), the national economy (34%), and market stability (34%).

What's driving the anxiety:

🗳️ Tariff policies: Uncertainty about trade policy shifts and their potential impact on prices and investments.

🗳️ Trump's "big beautiful bill": Tax policy changes passed in July could affect deductions, credits, and retirement planning strategies.

🗳️ Government shutdowns: The recent shutdown highlighted how political dysfunction can delay critical services, including student loan processing.

🗳️ Social Security uncertainty: Questions about the program's long-term solvency and potential benefit changes.

Here's the thing: You can't control politics. But you can control your response to it.

💵 Having a plan - When you have clear goals and a written financial plan, you're less reactive to daily political drama.

💵 Diversification - Spread your investments across different sectors and asset types to buffer against policy shifts.

💵 Focus on what you control - Your savings rate, spending habits, and tax optimization matter more than who's in office.

The political climate will always be uncertain. What shouldn't be uncertain is your financial plan.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the noise? Let's create a plan that works no matter what life (or the government) throws at you.

Why 4 in 1 retirees are still clocking in

If you thought retirement meant kicking back and never working again, think again. About 40% of Social Security beneficiaries are still working after claiming their benefits.

This isn't about people who just love their jobs (though some do). For many, it's about making ends meet.

Between 2010 and 2024, Social Security's cost-of-living adjustments haven't kept pace with actual inflation, resulting in a roughly 20% loss of buying power. Add in rising Medicare premiums, prescription drug costs, and grocery prices, and it all adds up fast.

Two distinct groups are working after claiming Social Security:

👔 Early claimers (68% of working beneficiaries) - These folks claimed benefits before their full retirement age, typically work part-time, and are more likely to have lower education levels and less financial cushion. They're using Social Security to supplement reduced earnings while gradually transitioning out of work.

👔 Later claimers (32% of working beneficiaries) - These are people who claimed at or after full retirement age (with more working full-time than part-time). Their combined income typically exceeds pre-claiming levels, suggesting some could have waited until 70 to maximize benefits.

The bottom line: Social Security alone isn't enough for most people. You need additional retirement savings (whether that's a 401(k), IRA, or other investments) to maintain your standard of living.

Need help figuring out your retirement number? Book a call and let's run the numbers together.

Your 401(k) is getting a makeover in 2026

Big changes are coming to 401(k) plans next year. Whether you're a high earner or not, there's something here that affects you.

💰 Higher contribution limits across the board - The 401(k) contribution limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. That's an extra $1,000 you can stash away tax-advantaged, regardless of your income.

💰 Better catch-up options - For workers 50+, catch-up contributions jump to $8,000 from $7,500. If you're between 60-63, you get a "super catch-up" of $11,250 that gives you extra room to save during peak earning years.

💰 Everyone benefits from the increase - Whether you earn $45,000 or $450,000, you can now defer more income and potentially lower your taxable income for 2026.

The big change for high earners:

💰 New Roth requirement - If you earned more than $145,000 from your current employer in 2025 and you're 50+, your catch-up contributions in 2026 must be made to a Roth 401(k) (after-tax) instead of traditional 401(k) (pre-tax).

💰 What this means - High earners lose the immediate tax break on catch-up contributions but get tax-free growth and withdrawals later. You'll pay more in taxes now since you're in a higher bracket during working years.

💰 The catch - If your employer doesn't offer a Roth 401(k) option (about 7% don't), high earners won't be able to make catch-up contributions at all until they add one.

Should you be worried?

Not really. For most people, these changes help you save more for retirement. If you earn under $145,000, nothing changes except higher limits. If you're a high earner, the Roth requirement is actually a trade-off that could benefit you: pay taxes now, but your money grows tax-free forever.

What to do:

✓ Increase your contribution rate by at least 1% if you can afford it. The higher limits give you room.

✓ If you're 50+, take advantage of catch-up contributions (they're more generous now).

✓ High earners: Check if your employer offers a Roth 401(k) option and talk to a tax advisor.

✓ Everyone: Consider bumping contributions when you get a raise. You won't feel the difference but future you will thank you.

Not sure how these changes affect your specific financial situation? Let's talk.

Standing out in today’s job market (it’s not what you think)

Forget just sending out resumes. The job market has changed, and if you're still only hitting "Apply" on LinkedIn, you're already behind.

Here's what actually works:

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