Magen L Fong

05/26/2026

Honoring the brave, remembering the fallen

05/15/2026

PERS annual statements are on the way!

Starting in late May, members will begin receiving their 2025 statements, based on employer-reported data as of December 31, 2025. Be sure to watch your mail!

Once your PERS statement arrives, it’s a great time to give it a quick check-up.

Make sure your personal details—like your birth date, address, and employment information—are correct. These details directly affect your benefits. Your statement will also include updates on your pension, IAP account, and, if applicable, your EPSA.
Statements are sent in May each year after final numbers are confirmed in April.

Here are three important things to look at:
✔ Your personal information
✔ Your years of service (retirement credit)
✔ Your IAP balance and investment performance
If anything looks off—or if you’d just like help understanding what you’re seeing—don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to help!

Magen L Fong is an Investment Advisor Representative offering securities and advisory services through United Planners Financial Services (UP), member of FINRA, SIPC. Oregon Pacific Financial Advisors, Inc. & UP are separate companies.

05/13/2026

I’m grateful for another opportunity to provide education on the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System retirement planning to a great group at Oregon Association Chiefs of Police this week. It’s always a privilege to connect with dedicated professionals, answer questions, and help people better understand their retirement benefits. I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and appreciated the warm welcome!

04/26/2026

You are cordially invited to our upcoming webinar - 4 Keys to Cutting College Costs: How to avoid Overpaying.

RSVP today to guarantee your spot https://www.opfa.com/events/webinar-4-keys-to-cutting-college-costs-how-to-avoid-overpaying

04/18/2026

You are cordially invited to Sip & Shred Open House. Bring your confidential documents to shred, then join us for some wine and snacks. https://www.opfa.com/events/sip-shred-open-house-1

04/16/2026

If you’re a Tier 1 or Tier 2 PERS member, join us Thursday, April 2 for a pre-retirement webinar designed to help you prepare with confidence.

We’ll walk through how to determine if you’re ready to retire, how to get started, and how to understand your pension options so you can make informed decisions for your future.

Register today: https://www.opfa.com/events/webinar-oregon-pers-tier-1-tier-2-pre-retirement-informational-webinar-1

Please join us for our an informational webinar on navigating Oregon PERS as a Tier 1/Tier 2 employee approaching retirement.

04/02/2026

Ever had that moment where everything in the financial picture looks “fine,” but it is still not clear what to do next?

That is what Financial Literacy Month can be: moving from information to decisions.

A few ways it shows up in real life:

💡 Knowing which levers matter most: savings, taxes, and behavior during volatility.

💡 Streamlining overcomplexity, more accounts and products are not always better.

💡Treating retirement as a cash flow strategy, not just about investments.

💡 Preparing for healthcare and longevity costs with intention, not assumptions.

💡 Keeping estate documents, titling, and beneficiaries aligned, so everything works when it matters.

The payoff is clarity, fewer reactive decisions, and a strategy that stays coordinated as life changes.

Working with a financial professional can help translate knowledge into action across the full picture.

03/13/2026

Did you know that starting in 2026, if you're 50 or older with prior year wages over $150k, you must place catch-up contributions to a Roth IRA account?

That’s a big change, and here are 5 things you need to know:

1️⃣ This applies to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) plans.
2️⃣ When catch-up contributions are put into a Roth account, you pay taxes on that money today, but qualified withdrawals and earnings can be tax-free later if requirements are met.
3️⃣ The 2026 catch-up limit is $8,000 for 50+, and a “super catch-up” limit of $11,250 may apply for ages 60 to 63 if the plan allows.
4️⃣ Regular contributions can still be elected as traditional pre-tax or Roth when a plan offers both options, while catch-up contributions may be Roth-only for those who meet the wage threshold.
5️⃣ The threshold is based on wages from the year before, specifically prior year F**A wages, so 2025 wages determine 2026 treatment.

The change eliminates what used to be a choice. For people with higher taxable income approaching retirement, this affects the approach to contribution timing and broader Roth conversion strategies.

Let’s talk if you have questions about how this could impact you. Your tax, legal, or accounting professional may also have insights.

Remember, with most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.

03/13/2026

For Oregon PERS members, being “vested” means you have earned the right to a future pension benefit. Vesting rules vary by PERS system and are generally based on years of qualifying service.

Not sure whether you’re vested or how much service credit you have? Contact our office for guidance — we’re here to help you understand your options.

Have questions about your PERS vesting? Our office is happy to help you review your situation: https://www.opfa.com/oregon-pers

At Oregon Pacific Financial Advisors, we believe every person deserves access to sound, informed financial advice. We serve both individuals and businesses with a variety of financial services and help them make educated, intelligent financial decisions.

03/08/2026

🌹 Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 8. ⏰

One hour more of evening daylight!
Here’s to longer evenings and the start of spring. 🌹