The Hancock Group, Inc.

06/09/2026

Can you say 'Semiquincentennial'?

This July the USA celebrates our Semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This milestone commemorates the founding of the United States and the beginning of its journey as a constitutional republic, highlighting pivotal moments in American history and the contributions of diverse communities across the nation

How do you plan on celebrating this milestone in American history?

06/04/2026

As you plan your legacy and retirement income strategy, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) may offer a meaningful way to support the charities you care about while helping manage Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to donate directly from an IRA to a qualified charity without counting the distribution as taxable income. Thanks to SECURE Act 2.0, RMDs now generally begin at age 73 (depending on your year of birth), but QCD eligibility still starts at 70½.

A few key points:
• QCDs must come directly from an IRA to a qualified charity
• The annual QCD limit for 2026 is $111,000 per individual
• You can use up to $55,000 of your annual QCD allowance for a one-time, life-income gift,
such as a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) or Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA).
• QCDs can help satisfy all or part of your RMD
• QCDs may help lower adjusted gross income since the distribution is excluded from taxable
income

As always, consult with your tax, legal, and financial professionals before making decisions regarding your retirement or charitable giving strategy.

06/02/2026

Capital Gains and Losses, RMD, 403(b), UTMA (UGMA), Non-Qualified account, 401(k)...

The world of retirement and Investment is full of many terms and acronyms that are like a foreign language to many people. If that's you, check out our glossary for east to understand definitions of many of the terms you may hear.

A method of exchanging insurance-related assets without triggering a taxable event. Cash-value life insurance policies and annuity contracts are two products that may qualify for a 1035 exchange.

05/28/2026

Small business owners need to protect their personal finances.

Understand the importance of personal finances for business owners. Secure your personal goals while growing your business.

05/26/2026

Trivia Tuesday: Tires or Tasting Menus?

Did you know that Michelin sells approximately 200 million tires every single year?
That’s a lot of rubber on the road! But did you know that the company that makes tires is also the world’s ultimate authority on fine dining?

The connection is actually a genius bit of marketing history! Back in 1900, there were fewer than 3,000 cars on the roads of France. To help their business grow, brothers André and Édouard Michelin needed people to drive more (and wear out their tires faster!), so they created the Michelin Guide—a free travel handbook that included maps with gas station locations, Instructions on how to change a tire, and a list of great restaurants and hotels along popular routes. The logic was simple: If people have a reason to drive to a great restaurant, they'll buy more cars and more tires.

What Do the Stars Actually Mean?
Because the guide was originally for drivers, the star ratings were literally based on how much "driving" a restaurant was worth.
1 Star: "A very good restaurant in its category." (A great place to stop!)
2 Stars: "Excellent cooking, worth a detour."
3 Stars: "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."

05/25/2026

We are grateful!

05/21/2026

Auto debt continues to climb as higher vehicle prices and interest rates put pressure on household budgets.

A recent report found that total auto debt reached $1.68 trillion at the end of 2025, up 37% from late 2018. Nearly 86 million Americans, or about 1 in 4, now carry auto loan or lease debt.

Monthly payments have also increased. The typical auto loan payment rose from about $506 in 2018 to more than $680 by the end of 2025.

Several factors are contributing to the shift, including higher vehicle prices, fewer lower-cost new car options, and longer loan terms. More buyers are also taking on larger monthly payments, with $1,000 auto loan payments becoming more common for financed new-vehicle purchases.

For many households, higher transportation costs can affect other parts of the budget, including groceries, rent, savings, and emergency funds.

These trends highlight how vehicle affordability can play a larger role in everyday financial decisions.


Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/car-payments-squeeze-americans.html

05/18/2026

Need help with retirement and estate planning? We can help point you in the right direction. Give us a call.

A core truth of Estate Planning 101 is that building wealth is only half the battle; the other half is protecting it so it actually reaches the people you love.

05/16/2026

Hollidaysburg Borough Celebrates Tree City USA

The Arbor Day Foundation has once again recognized the Hollidaysburg Borough for its outstanding commitment to urban forestry. Randy Manning (valued client of The Hancock Group) and Terry Wilt were featured in Hollidaysburg’s quarterly publication, “The Town Crier”, for their dedicated commitment to urban forestry, marking Hollidaysburg’s incredible 37 consecutive year as a Tree City USA community.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Tree City USA program. Hollidaysburg has been a part of this national organization for more than three decades.

The Hancock Group congratulates Randy and Terry for their dedication to this legacy of care, growth and environmental stewardship!

05/14/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/captcha-scams-are-surging-as-hackers-exploit-a-security-tool-032626.html