September 2025
12Sep

2025 Read on Retirement survey

By BlackRock Workplace savers are feeling more confident about retirement—but plan sponsors aren’t on the same page. As the gap in outlook widens, advisors have a critical role to play. Uncover the insights shaping this divide. Navigating uncertainty and a growing divide Saver confidence is up but fragile. This year’s dip underscores how closely confidence tracks with market volatility. And while savers feel increasingly sure, only 38% of employers believe the majority of their employees are truly on track—a record low. The...

September 12, 2025
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12Sep

US. Worker Optimism About Retirement Rises, Actual Savings Contributions Fall

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers feel on track with their retirement savings, but there is a record gap between their confidence level and that of their employers, according to BlackRock’s 2025 Read on Retirement survey, published Monday. Only 38% of employers surveyed reported they believe at least 60% of their employees are on track with their retirement savings, a record low since BlackRock began its survey in 2016. Meanwhile, savers’ confidence is up 23% over the same period. “A decade of...

September 12, 2025
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05Sep

Integrating Risk Management into Personal Financial Decisions

By Navin Kumar Effective personal financial planning demands navigating a landscape of uncertainty. This chapter explores how integrating risk management practices into personal finance decisions empowers individuals to achieve their financial goals. We begin by outlining the contemporary challenges individuals face and the importance of proactive planning. The chapter then delves into the concept of risk in personal finance, categorizing potential threats and their impact on financial stability. We highlight the benefits of a risk management approach, emphasizing its role...

September 5, 2025
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02Sep

US. Retirement Planning In 2025: What’s On People’s Minds

If retirement has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. A record number of Americans are hitting retirement age this year, and it’s clear that rising living expenses and health care costs are giving many people pause. Whether you're approaching retirement or already settling into your golden years, now’s the time to check in on your financial game plan. Confidence Is Shaky And Inflation Is a Big Culprit According to Fidelity’s latest State of Retirement Planning study, just 67% of...

September 2, 2025
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August 2025
29Aug

Shocks to Income in a Lifecycle Model: An Undervalued Risk

By Sebastian Gomez-Cardona Lifecycle models are increasingly popular in financial planning. However, they often overlook the significant risk posed by income shocks-such as career disruptions, economic downturns, or technological advancements-that can affect financial plans, including retirement. This paper explores the role these shocks have on shaping saving rates, financial capital accumulation, and asset-allocation decisions, with particular attention to the possible relationship between income shocks and equity returns. By integrating industry-specific income risk into asset allocation decisions, this research provides practical...

August 29, 2025
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29Aug

Financial Literacy and Educator Behaviour: Insights from a Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

By Anrusha Bhana & Nkosinathi Princ Jali There is a substantial lack of financial literacy among educators, especially in emerging economies, which can influence personal and professional financial behavior. This study assessed whether financial literacy challenges influence high school educators' financial decision-making and behavior. An empirical study employing quantitative methodology assessed the lifestyle spending among high school educators and identified specific areas of financial literacy challenges and limitations. Data was collected randomly from a sample size of 246 out of...

August 29, 2025
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18Aug

How Many Americans Have Retirement Savings? The Answer May Surprise You.

Given the choice, most Americans would probably rather spend their extra money on entertainment, vacations, or home improvements than contribute to an IRA or 401(k). But without retirement savings, you risk struggling financially once your career comes to an end and you stop collecting a steady paycheck. If you're an average earner, you can expect your Social Security benefits to replace about 40% of your wages, assuming the program doesn't have to move forward with cuts. But it's typical for retirees to...

August 18, 2025
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13Aug

US. The Silver Tsunami: Navigating Retirement Risk in a Declining Financial Literacy Landscape

As the global population ages, a quiet crisis is unfolding: financial literacy rates among older adults have plummeted to below 60%, a stark drop from 69.5% in 2020. This decline, driven by cognitive aging, digital disengagement, and inadequate educational resources, is creating a perfect storm for retirement planning. With 78% of retirees underestimating their life expectancy and $28 billion in U.S. scam losses reported in 2023 alone, the stakes for long-term financial resilience have never been higher. The erosion of...

August 13, 2025
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11Aug

The Silent Crisis: Aging Populations and the Retirement Security Imperative

The global demographic shift toward an aging population is no longer a distant forecast—it is a present-day reality. By 2025, over 16% of the world's population will be aged 65 or older, a figure projected to rise to 25% by 2050. Yet, as lifespans extend, so too does a parallel crisis: the erosion of financial literacy among the elderly. This decline, driven by cognitive aging, digital disengagement, and systemic gaps in education, is creating a perfect storm of vulnerability...

August 11, 2025
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04Aug

This Bezos-Backed Real Estate Startup Is Quietly Disrupting the 401(k)

For decades, the 401(k) has been the gold standard of retirement planning in the U.S.—a slow-and-steady way to build wealth by investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through your employer. But while that model has worked for millions, it's also left a lot to be desired: limited control, unpredictable returns, and almost no cash flow until you’re well into your 60s. That's why a new real estate investing platform backed by Jeff Bezos is turning heads—and quietly offering...

August 4, 2025
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