Hale Financial

10/15/2026

How does it stack up? Looking back over the last 20 years of Social Security cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments:

✅ It’s higher than 2.8% in 2026
✅ It’s above the 20-year average of about 2.6%
✅ It ties 2012 for the 4th-largest increase since 2008, behind only 2023 (8.7%), 2022 (5.9%) and 2009 (5.8%)

What does that mean in dollars? The average retired worker’s monthly benefit goes from $2,095 to $2,170 in 2027, about $75 more per month. The maximum benefit raises just slightly, from $4,152 a month to $4,188 in 2027.

Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.6% COLA beginning in January 2027. Increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2026.

10/14/2026

Sharing the reasoning behind your retirement and financial decisions can be one of the most meaningful gifts you pass on.

10/09/2026

Nearly 30 percent of high-net-worth families have experienced a cyberattack.
As your digital footprint grows, your security habits must evolve too. Securing your wealth is about more than just monitoring your portfolio. It is about building a proactive approach that covers your entire digital life.

Small steps like freezing your credit or segmenting your home network can significantly reduce your risk. These high-value habits are easy to implement and provide a stronger layer of defense for your family assets.

It may be time to revisit how your digital security fits into your broader financial strategy.

Sources:
JPMorgan.com, January 23, 2026
Risk-strategies.com, 2025
Toplinecu.com, March 18, 2026
Fidelity.com, 2026

10/09/2026

Stocks finished the third quarter mixed. The S&P 500 gained 2.03%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%. Halloween is next on the calendar, with U.S. consumers expected to spend \$13.5 billion USD this year and 6.26 million Canadian children in their trick-or-treating years.

Stocks were mixed in the third quarter as economic, geopolitical, and corporate earnings news pushed the broad market higher while weighing on the Dow Industrials.

10/07/2026

A retiree’s portfolio should reflect the lifestyle choices he or she makes in retirement. Does yours?

Lifestyle considerations in creating your retirement portfolio.

10/03/2026

Some things really are effortless—like floating in the Great Salt Lake, where the salt does the heavy lifting.

In your financial life, “effortless” usually comes from a clear plan and ongoing guidance. If retirement has been on your mind, let’s talk about what would help you feel more confident.

Our team recently experienced this one-of-a-kind sensation while attending the Cetera Connect to Peers Conference in Salt Lake City, making it a memorable reminder of what "effortless" really feels like.

10/02/2026

🛠️ The richest person in your town probably isn't a tech founder or someone in finance. It's more likely the dentist running four offices, or the owner of the HVAC company whose trucks are everywhere.

New research from economists Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick, based on IRS and Treasury data, found nearly 5 million U.S. households worth at least $5 million, holding combined wealth more than 13 times that of the Forbes 400.

A few patterns stood out:
➡️Most started their business themselves rather than inheriting it
➡️Most run ordinary, brick-and-mortar businesses rather than tech or finance
➡️Independence mattered more to them early on than getting rich ever did

🌭 Case in point: Dick Portillo started a hot dog stand in 1963 with just $1,100. Decades later, he sold the business he'd built for $1 billion.

Building wealth often looks much more ordinary and attainable than the headlines suggest. If growing or eventually stepping back from a business is part of your picture, that's worth talking through together.


Source:

Getting rich in the U.S. is still possible, but the most common path to wealth doesn't involve working for other people, according to a new book.

09/30/2026

When you choose to take Social Security might impact your retirement income. Find out how.

09/26/2026

Eric, one of our advisors, just returned from West Virginia, where he explored with Appalachian Bible College and supported missionaries close to our hearts. His adventures included whitewater rafting, cave diving, and cliff rappelling.

In wild water and winding caves, a trusted guide helps you stay oriented. Your financial life is similar: markets shift, goals evolve, and calm preparation matters. If you’d like a quick check-in on your plan, we're here.

09/23/2026

Whether you’re building your career, starting a family, or planning for retirement, a tax-intelligent Financial Professional can be your greatest asset at any stage of life. Reach out to us so we can put our tax intelligence to work for you!! 🚀

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