Nevin's Data "Points"

At the end of every year, and as we approach a new one, it’s natural to look back at experiences and lessons learned—and to ponder ways to apply them productively going forward. Here’s some thoughts from 2020 that I hope will help you do just that. 3 Things That (Seem to) Scare Plan Sponsors Halloween is the time of year when one’s thoughts turn to trick-or-treat, ghosts and goblins, and things that go bump in the night. And sometimes it’s just a good time to think about the things that give us pause—that cause a chill to run down our spine. In that category, here are three things to ponder… 3 Retirement Income Impacts That Can Impact Retirement Income   Most of the focus on retirement savings is on those who haven’t saved enough, or who lack access to the platforms to make saving enough easy. But even those that have done the “right” things can nonetheless have their retirement planning realities tripped up. Here are three retirement income impacts of which (even...

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others—and some we’d just as soon be spared. But for the graduates of 2020—well, theirs is surely a unique time. So, if you have a graduate—or if you ARE a graduate, here are some thoughts…    My kids have passed those milestones—but I have two nieces that will graduate this year without an “official” ceremony to commemorate the occasion, no capstone to those years in pursuit of education, and preparation for the next of life’s stages, and—while social media, cell phones, TikTok and Zoom provide some solace—this is a class that will, for the moment anyway, be denied the hugs and warm embraces of classmates, friends and family alike. That said, those next steps lie ahead—and if the when, where (and how) remains elusive—the if is surely only a matter of time. And as graduates everywhere look ahead to the next chapter in their lives, it seems a good time to reflect on some lessons learned along the way—m...

Each year the good folks at Beloit College produce a “Mindset List” providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students about to enter college. So, in what ways will their retirement plans differ from those of their parents? In the most recent list (they’ve been doing it since 1998), the Beloit Mindset List notes that for the class of 2020 (among other things): There has always been a digital swap meet called eBay. They never heard Harry Caray try to sing during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Vladimir Putin has always been calling the shots at the Kremlin. Elian Gonzalez, who would like to visit the U.S. again someday, has always been back in Cuba. The Ali/Frazier boxing match for their generation was between the daughters of Muhammad and Joe. NFL coaches have always had the opportunity to throw a red flag and question the ref. Snowboarding has always been an Olympic sport. John Elway and Wayne Gretzky have always been retired. So, what abo...