Every May, interest rates on federal student loans are recalculated for the upcoming school year. The rates are determined by combining the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note with an additional fixed amount set by Congress. Based on this formula, interest rates on federal student loans are set to increase slightly for the 2026–2027 […]
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Stocks Rebound as Inflation Rises and Fed Decision Looms
Wall Street began last week with a heavy sell-off as investors appeared anxious about the U.S.-Iran war, elevated inflation, and fears of a potential tech correction. However, stocks staged a massive turnaround midweek, driven by easing tensions in the Middle East and the largest initial public offering in U.S. financial history. Consumer staples and real […]
Read MoreEmployer Beliefs vs Worker Reality in Today’s Workplace
Employer beliefs vs worker reality can differ significantly when it comes to the financial and workplace challenges employees face today. A recent survey by Transamerica Institute found that many workers are struggling with inflation, caregiving responsibilities, financial stress, and changing job requirements, while employers may underestimate the extent of these pressures and their impact on […]
Read MoreStrong Jobs Report Ends Stock Rally as Rate Cut Hopes Fade
For much of last week, stocks continued a rally that appeared headed for another week of gains. However, investors, who had been clinging to the prospect of monetary easing, had those hopes all but dashed after a better-than-expected jobs report (see below) doused any hopes of an interest rate reduction in the immediate future. Heading […]
Read MoreRetirement Confidence Down
Retirement confidence slipped in 2026 after showing signs of improvement the year before, with both workers and retirees feeling less certain about their financial future. According to the latest findings from the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, only about three in five workers now say they are confident they will have enough […]
Read MoreBroad Market Rally Continues as Investor Confidence Expands Beyond Tech
Wall Street ended the week with broad gains, record-setting index performances, and a notable shift toward broader market participation beyond tech and AI shares. The Dow, the S&P 500, the NASDAQ, and the Global Dow each finished the week higher. The S&P 500 extended an eight-week winning streak, while the Dow recorded new highs. Markets […]
Read MoreMidyear Retirement Savings Checkup: Are You Contributing Enough?
A midyear retirement savings checkup is a great opportunity to review your workplace retirement plan contributions and determine whether you can save more before the end of 2026. Even small increases to your 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) contributions may help strengthen your long-term retirement goals while allowing you to take full advantage of employer matching […]
Read MoreInflation and Oil Drive Market Volatility in May 2026
Two hotter-than-expected inflation reports and a lack of progress in negotiations to end the war in Iran created havoc in some corners of the financial markets last week. Oil prices surged again while the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, disrupting the world’s supply of essential crude. The S&P 500 reached record highs on Thursday […]
Read MoreDOL Proposes New Rule for Alternative Assets in 401(k) Plans
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a new rule to clarify the steps employers should take when deciding whether to include investments that hold alternative assets in their 401(k) plans. Alternative assets include private equity, private credit, digital assets, and other investments typically reserved for high-net-worth and institutional investors, such as college endowments […]
Read MoreStock Market Gains Push S&P 500 to Record Highs
The U.S. stock market ended last week with strong gains, which led to record highs for the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ. The surge in stock values was largely driven by a better-than-expected jobs report (see below), falling crude oil prices, and robust tech company earnings. Investors continued to favor risk, despite the ongoing tensions […]
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