Health. Wealth. Wisdom | Q1 2026

A RetireReady Publication | Winter Edition

Unleash Your Retirement Superpower

5 Ways to Maximize the Potential Growth of Your Workplace Retirement Savings

When saving for your future, your workplace retirement plan is one of the most powerful tools you have. But contributing to each paycheck isn’t enough—you need a plan to make the most of your savings. Here are five smart, doable strategies to boost your chances for financial success:

1. Define your retirement goal. Start with the end in mind; how much income will you need each year in retirement to live comfortably? Use your plan recordkeeper’s online retirement calculator to estimate the savings target you should aim for based on your age, income, and lifestyle goals. Having a clear number makes it easier to stay motivated.

2. Maximize your employer match. Be sure to contribute at least enough to get the full employer match. Missing out on the full match is like leaving free money on the table. If your employer matches 50 percent of your contribution up to 6 percent, for example, you should at least be contributing 6 percent as a starting point (and more if you can swing it).

3. Review and rebalance annually. Markets change, and so should your investment mix. It’s important to review your investment strategy at least once per year to ensure that it still aligns with your risk tolerance and time horizon. Rebalancing helps you avoid being too heavily invested in one asset class, keeping your portfolio appropriately diversified and on track to meet your retirement income goals.

4. Gradually increase contributions. As you get raises or bonuses, increase your contribution percentage. Even boosting your contribution by 1 percent each year can have a big impact over a decades-long career. Many plans allow you to set this up automatically.

5. Keep fees in check. High fees can eat into your returns over time. Review your plan’s investment options and consider choosing low-cost index funds or other similar types of investment options. Lower expenses mean more of your money stays invested and growing.

Need a Power Booster?

If you feel overwhelmed by investment choices or aren’t sure how much you should be saving, you’re not alone. A financial professional can help take the guesswork out of retirement planning by helping you define how much income you’ll need in retirement and create a realistic savings target. Advisors can also suggest an investment allocation that matches your age, risk tolerance, timeline, and retirement goals.

Informational Sources: Investopedia: “7 Tips to Manage Your 401(k)” (July 24, 2024); Investopedia: “Best Strategies to Maximize Your 401(k)” (December 11, 2025).

Youth Movement

Practical Ways to Jump-Start Your Child’s Financial Future

Helping your children build a financial foundation early can make a huge difference later in life. Fortunately, there are several tools parents can use to save and invest for their kids. Here are four practical options worth considering:

• Custodial accounts. Custodial accounts, such as the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), allow parents or guardians to manage assets for a child until they reach adulthood. These accounts can hold cash, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Once the child reaches the age of majority (usually 18 or 21, depending on the state), they gain full control of the assets. Custodial accounts are flexible and a great way to educate kids about investing while building wealth for future goals.

• 529 college savings plans. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account designed specifically for education expenses. Contributions grow tax free, and withdrawals for qualified education costs—such as tuition, books, or room and board—are also tax free. Even if your child doesn’t use all the funds for college, some plans allow transferring money to another family member, keeping the investment flexible.

• Roth individual retirement account (IRA) for kids. If your child earns income from a job—even part-time or freelance work (such as babysitting or mowing lawns)—they can open their own Roth IRA. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but growth and withdrawals in retirement are tax free. Teaching kids to invest early instills financial discipline while giving them a long-term advantage. For parents, it’s also a chance to guide children in choosing investments, from stocks and bonds to mutual funds.

• Youth savings or investment accounts. Many banks and brokerages offer youth accounts tailored for children, often requiring a parent as a co-owner. These accounts encourage saving habits while introducing kids to investing basics. Some accounts include features such as matching contributions or interest incentives, helping children see the value of saving consistently.

Practical Considerations

The best approach often combines multiple strategies. Custodial accounts and Roth IRAs can help support long-term investing goals, 529 plans focus on education, and youth accounts build good habits early. Starting early, even with modest contributions, can set your child up for financial confidence and flexibility later in life.

Informational Sources: Bankrate: “Make These 7 Investments to Set Your Kids Up for Life” (August 8, 2025); SmartAsset: “What Are Investment Account Options for Your Kids?” (April 18, 2025).

The fees, expenses, and features of 529 plans can vary from state to state. 529 plans involve investment risk, including the possible loss of funds. There is no guarantee that an education-funding goal will be met. In order to be federally tax free, earnings must be used to pay for qualified education expenses. The earnings portion of a nonqualified withdrawal will be subject to ordinary income tax at the recipient’s marginal rate and subject to a 10 percent penalty. By investing in a plan outside your state of residence, you may lose any state tax benefits. 529 plans are subject to enrollment, maintenance, and administration/management fees and expenses.

Good Vibrations

Volunteering Can Boost Your Health, Happiness, and Sense of Purpose

Imagine walking out of an hour-long volunteer shift feeling lighter, happier, and more connected. That’s not coincidence—it’s science. Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time; it’s a proven way to improve your own health and well-being. Studies show that people who volunteer regularly have lower stress levels, reduced blood pressure, stronger hearts, and even longer lifespans. Mentally, volunteering combats loneliness, gives life more purpose, and releases “feel-good” chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. In short, helping others often helps you even more—and the effects can last long after you leave your volunteer role.

Finding Your Volunteering Sweet Spot

Unsure where to start? Begin by thinking about what excites or interests you most. If you love animals, for example, check out local shelters or wildlife rescue programs. If you enjoy tutoring or mentoring kids, schools, libraries, and after-school programs often need extra hands. And if you’re passionate about the environment, beach cleanups, park maintenance, or tree planting can be rewarding. Volunteering is also a great way to explore new skills that can help you grow personally and professionally, such as mentoring, organizing events, public speaking, or fundraising. You might even discover talents you didn’t know you had, such as being a team leader or creative problem-solving.

Start Small, Think Big

You don’t need to commit to many hours every week. Even an hour or two per month can make a real difference to an organization. Once you know your interests, websites such as volunteer.gov and idealist.org make it easy to find opportunities in your area or virtual roles you can do from home. The key is consistency: regular volunteering has the most noticeable mental and physical benefits. If you want to think really big, international volunteering opportunities are available, such as those through Habitat for Humanity’s International Volunteer Program.

A Win-Win for Everyone

Volunteering is one of those rare activities that benefits everyone involved. By sharing your time and talents, you strengthen your community and improve your well-being. Whether you’re walking dogs, tutoring students, or helping with a community garden, you may discover that volunteering warms your heart in more ways than one—and leaves you feeling like a better, happier, and more fulfilled version of yourself.

Informational Sources: Mayo Clinic: “Helping People, Changing Lives: 3 Health Benefits of Volunteering” (August 1, 2023); HelpGuide.org: “Volunteering and Its Surprising Benefits” (accessed September 15, 2025); Volunteer.gov; Idealist.org.

Retirement in Motion

Tips and Resources Everyone Can Use

Knowledge Is Retirement Power

According to a July 2025 AARP study, most Americans overestimate their social security knowledge. Nearly half of those surveyed, for example, believe social security benefits will be cut by at least 50 percent once the combined retirement and disability trust fund is potentially depleted in 2034 (payments are projected to be reduced by only an estimated 19 percent). In addition, 41 percent didn’t realize benefits could be claimed as early as age 62, and 66 percent didn’t know that waiting until age 70 to claim benefits will maximize payments. If you haven’t already done so, consider opening a “my Social Security account” to view future benefits and make sure that your recorded income matches your salary history. In addition, you can model different monthly benefit amount scenarios based on taking social security benefits at age 62 through age 70.

Q&A

| What is the most I can save this year in my workplace retirement plan?

You can contribute up to $24,500 in 2026. If you are ages 50–59 or 64+, you are also eligible to make catch-up contributions of up to $8,000 in 2026, for a potential total contribution of $32,500. If you are ages 60–63 at the end of the calendar year, you are also eligible for a higher catch-up contribution limit of up to $11,250 (no change from 2025), for a potential total contribution of $35,750. These limits apply to savers with a 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, and most 457 plans.

Important Note: In 2026, individuals who are eligible to make catch-up contributions (those ages 50 and older) and made more than $150,000 in 2025 cannot make traditional pretax catch-up contributions. If you are in this group, your catch-up contributions must now be made to a Roth account.

Quarterly Reminder

When was the last time you reviewed your beneficiary designations for your major assets, including your retirement plan? The start of each new year is a good time for financial housekeeping. Be sure that your current designations still match your wishes, especially if you have had major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth or adoption of any children.

Tools and Techniques

A CD ladder is a strategy that involves dividing your money across several certificates of deposit (CDs) with staggered maturity dates, so that a portion of your funds becomes available at regular intervals. This approach helps you earn higher interest rates than a traditional savings account while keeping some liquidity for upcoming needs. CD ladders are especially useful for funding short- to medium-term financial goals when you know you’ll need the money within a few months to a few years. Examples include building a vacation fund, saving for a wedding, planning a home renovation, or covering upcoming tuition payments.

Corner on the Market

Basic Financial Terms to Know

Private equity.

Private equity refers to investments in privately held companies (not traded on public stock exchanges), typically through professionally managed funds, with the goal of generating higher long-term returns in exchange for higher risk and lower liquidity.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or specific investment advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a qualified professional regarding your situation. Commonwealth Financial Network does not provide tax or legal advice. Investments are subject to risk, including the loss of principal. Some investments are not suitable for all investors, and there is no guarantee that any investing goal will be met. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Talk to your financial advisor before making any investing decisions.

Certificates of deposits (CDs) typically offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, are generally insured by the FDIC or another government agency, and may impose a penalty for early withdrawal.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy and are for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these websites.

Authored by the Strategic Retirement Solutions team at Commonwealth Financial Network.

Health. Wealth. Wisdom Q1 2026.pdf

Download PDF • 290KB

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®.

© 2026 Commonwealth Financial Network®