Savers tips and resources

What happens to your 529 plan if your child doesn’t go to college, or if all the funds aren’t used for education? Many parents and guardians open a college savings account with the best intentions, but life doesn’t always go as planned.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to start saving for retirement—or wondered whether you’re missing out on benefits—you’re far from alone. Ascensus’ recently released Eligible Not Contributing Employee (ELND) Survey revealed just how common that uncertainty really is. 

Life feels more expensive than ever. Groceries, gas, housing, and utilities all seem to climb higher each month, making it harder to stretch your paycheck. When you’re focused on covering today’s bills, it’s natural to want to put saving for the future or your retirement on hold.

Volatility is part of the stock market—and significant volatility can be influenced by factors outside investor control: trade wars, terrorist attacks, global pandemics, and other micro and macroeconomic situations to name just a few.

Turning 40 is a major milestone in both life and retirement planning. With retirement on the horizon, it’s time to reflect on whether you’re on track. Are you planning a big trip, a career change, or a family move? The decisions you make now will shape your financial future.

Life can throw many financial challenges your way— unexpected home repairs, student loans, and rising costs of living—that make it feel hard to put money away. Luckily, if you’re in your 30s, you still have plenty of time to get on track to achieve your ideal retirement—even if you haven’t started saving yet.

When was the last time you reviewed the investments in your employer-sponsored retirement plan?

If you’re like many, the answer might be that it’s been a while. Don't sweat it, now’s a great time to put a plan in place so you can stay up to date on the performance of your investments.

There are many factors that go into preparing financially for retirement, but one of the most important is understanding how your retirement savings will complement your Social Security benefit—and ultimately, when you should start claiming your benefit. Here are key considerations and tips that can help you start planning.

Today, Social Security benefits represent about 30 percent of the income for people over age 65^.1 But there is significant concern among workers about access to their benefits in the future. In fact, 72 percent of Americans worry their Social Security won’t be there when they retire.²

Retirement planning isn't easy—you can make all the right decisions, but your savings are always susceptible to market volatility. Unexpected world events can influence your savings by seemingly drastic amounts, causing an unsettling feeling that can leave you questioning if your financial future is secure.