Retirement Planning Consultants Inc

06/08/2026

Travel can feel very different once time is no longer tightly scheduled.

For many, it becomes less about fitting a trip into the calendar and more about deciding how they want to spend their time. Whether that means staying longer, traveling more often, or bringing family along, those choices often reflect years of thoughtful decisions.

It may be worth revisiting how travel fits into your overall approach—especially as priorities continue to evolve. Reach out to your financial professional to discuss how your strategy can support the adventures you've earned.

06/06/2026

This month's chart is thanks to past Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, who tracked men's underwear sales as a proxy for consumer confidence. What do you think the new Fed Chair will watch?

06/04/2026

Treasury yields have risen as bond prices have fallen, reflecting renewed attention to inflation, interest rates, and investor sentiment.

Treasurys are U.S. government bonds, and their yields often move based on expectations for inflation, economic growth, and Federal Reserve policy.

When inflation remains elevated, investors may expect interest rates to stay higher for longer. That can make existing bonds less attractive, pushing prices down and yields up.

Higher Treasury yields can also affect other parts of the economy. The 10-year Treasury, for example, is closely tied to mortgage rates, which can influence homebuyers' borrowing costs.

Rising yields may also affect corporate borrowing, stock valuations, and the broader cost of capital.

While higher yields can signal concern, they can also reflect a market adjusting to new economic data. For consumers and businesses, the key takeaway is that bond market movement can ripple into borrowing costs and financial decisions over time.


Source:

U.S. government bonds are sagging as investors fret that hotter inflation will keep interest rate cuts on hold.

06/02/2026

When stock prices drop, some investors start asking "shoulda, woulda, coulda” questions about whether to remain invested. But as 2025 illustrates, market timing can be very expensive even if it means missing just a few days.

05/30/2026

Medicare supplemental insurance costs are rising, with many consumers seeing noticeable increases in recent months.

Some policyholders experienced significant jumps — including reports of increases as high as 45% for certain plans, while more typical adjustments are now landing in the double digits.

These policies help cover out-of-pocket costs not included in traditional Medicare, such as deductibles and copayments. Without supplemental coverage, there is generally no cap on annual healthcare expenses.

A range of factors are contributing to higher premiums, including increased use of medical services, rising healthcare costs, and demographic shifts.

At the same time, options for switching plans can be limited by timing, location, and health status, making it more challenging for some individuals to adjust coverage.

These trends highlight how healthcare costs and coverage choices can evolve over time, especially for those approaching or already in retirement.


Source:

Millions of people rely on the supplemental insurance to offset the deductibles, copayments, and other costs faced by enrollees in the traditional Medicare program.

05/28/2026

Not all annuity options work the same way. Use this tool to compare payout structures and see which one aligns with your long-term goals.

Compare annuity options to see how each one could affect your long-term income outlook.

05/28/2026

Are your risk preferences reflected in your portfolio? Let's find out: {%%%INSERT RISKALYZE QUESTIONNAIRE LINK%%%}

05/26/2026

We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?” But no one knows for sure.

We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”

05/24/2026

05/22/2026

Should gold be a part of your diversified portfolio?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.