RARE PHOTOS: 13 | Vintage Vibes

Your Employer May Match Student Loan Payments in 2026—But Only Up to the 401(k) Deferral Limit

Under SECURE 2.0, employers can choose to treat qualified student loan payments as though they were 401(k) contributions when calculating matching retirement contributions. However, the amount of loan payments eligible for matching generally cannot exceed the annual elective deferral limit, which rises to $24,500 in 2026. That makes it important…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 7

7 OregonSaves Rules Every New Oregon Employer Should Know Before the July 31 Deadline

OregonSaves became the nation’s first state-facilitated retirement savings program in 2017 and now has more than 120,000 participating workers and billions of dollars in retirement assets under management, giving employees without workplace retirement plans an easy way to save through payroll deductions. For many new Oregon employers, July 31 marks…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 7

White House Orders Labor and SEC to Make Private Equity and Real Estate Available in 401(k)s—What Fiduciaries Should Watch

According to the Investment Company Institute, Americans hold roughly $12 trillion in defined-contribution retirement plans, making even small changes to investment menus potentially significant for millions of workers.

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 6

Saver’s Match Replaces Saver’s Credit in 2027—Eligible Workers Get a 50% Federal Match on the First $2,000

Retirement savings will look a little different starting in 2027, and for many workers, that change could bring a welcome boost. The long-running Saver’s Credit will step aside, making room for the new Saver’s Match, which sends a federal matching contribution directly into eligible retirement accounts instead of offering a…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 4

Unused 529 Money Can Roll Over to a Roth IRA—But Only If the Account Is 15 Years Old and You Spread the Transfer Over Five Years

A 529 plan rarely sits still forever anymore. New rules open a surprising path that moves unused education savings into a Roth IRA. This shift links college savings with retirement in a single strategy. Strict timing and transfer limits shape how and when money can move.

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 3

Connecticut’s “Junk Fee” Law, Right-to-Repair Mandate and Auto-Renewal Requirements Take Effect July 1 — What Consumers Need to Know

Connecticut flips the switch on a trio of consumer-focused rules starting July 1, and the changes reach straight into everyday life. Fees that once quietly inflated final prices now face stricter transparency standards, while repair access and subscription cancellations also step into the spotlight. The goal behind these updates focuses…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 3

High Earners Must Make 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions as Roths in 2026 — How the New IRS Rule Changes Your Tax Breaks

Retirement saving just got a rule change that will quietly reshape how high earners build their nest egg starting in 2026. The IRS now requires many employees who make catch-up contributions after age 50 to route those extra savings into Roth accounts instead of traditional pre-tax ones. That shift sounds…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 2

Gray Divorce Quadrupled Since 1990 – Nearly Half of Divorcees Say It Derailed Their Retirement

Gray divorce has quietly reshaped retirement across the country, and the numbers tell a striking story. Since 1990, divorce among adults 65 and older has quadrupled, and nearly half of divorcees report that the split derailed their retirement plans. That shift does not just affect relationships, it reshapes budgets, housing…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 2

Seniors Are Making the Wrong Financial Decisions in the First 12 Months After a Spouse Dies

The first year after a spouse dies turns everyday money decisions into emotional landmines. Bills still arrive, accounts still exist, and paperwork suddenly demands attention from one person who never expected to handle it all alone. That combination of grief, urgency, and unfamiliar financial responsibility often leads to rushed decisions…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 1

Buy Now, Pay Later Gets Regulated: New Rules Require Licensing, Disclosures and Fee Limits

Buy Now, Pay Later has become one of the fastest checkout buttons on the internet, but big changes have arrived. New York has stepped in with new rules that reshape how these services operate, bringing licensing requirements, stronger disclosures, and limits on fees. The goal focuses on adding structure to…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 1