Resources Designed to Help Empower YourRetirement Planning


 

This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. Our advisors can meet with you to discuss your retirement.

Market Update – November 3rd, 2025

Markets ended October on a positive note, even as the government shutdown delayed key economic data releases. The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points and signaled the end of balance sheet tightening, while mixed reactions to mega-cap earnings highlighted growing tension between AI-driven growth opportunities and rising capital expenditures.

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Market Update – October 27, 2025

Equity markets rallied last week, with indexes reaching new highs as investors reacted positively to contained inflation data and growing expectations for additional rate cuts.

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Plan With Confidence: Why Working With SPG Makes a Difference

We believe retirement should be a time to enjoy what matters most. Our mission is to help you prepare for the years ahead with confidence and peace of mind. As a fiduciary financial services firm, we always act in your best interest—putting your goals, values, and well-being first.

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Q3 Bulls and Bears

Every quarter, our team analyzes a list of qualitative and quantitative factors of the economy, as we assess what part of the cycle, we find ourselves in. This process allows us to adopt longer-term views on the economy and markets.

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What the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Could Mean for Your Financial Plan

Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—a sweeping piece of tax legislation that permanently extends many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while introducing several new tax rules.

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Market Update – October 20, 2025

Markets ended the week higher despite Federal shutdown uncertainty, mid-week volatility, and renewed credit-risk headlines. A late-week rebound in risk appetite reflected improved trade sentiment, resilient early earnings, and expectations of policy easing into year-end.

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Market Update – October 13, 2025

Markets ended the week lower amid limited economic data and heightened sensitivity to headline risk. A sharp Friday sell-off, driven by renewed U.S.–China trade tensions, underscored the market’s fragility.

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Market Update – September 29, 2025

Markets slipped last week as investors weighed steady but rising inflation against signs of resilience in other parts of the economy. New home sales surged in August, while existing home sales posted only modest gains, underscoring a unique split in housing momentum.

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Market Update: September 22nd, 2025

Markets made new highs last week after the Fed’s first rate cut in nine months, helped by strong retail sales and a tech-led rally.

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Market Update: September 15th, 2025

Economic data this week painted a mixed picture, with inflation showing pockets of strength but remaining relatively tame. Despite soft employment and sentiment data, stocks advanced last week, largely driven by expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming days.

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Market Update: September 8th, 2025

Financial Markets It was an important week for jobs data, with signs of continued softening in the labor market. Even so, stocks held firm as investors looked ahead to a likely rate cut later this month. In the shortened week, two of the three major U.S. indexes advanced, with the Nasdaq Composite leading the way…

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Retirement Workbook: A Blueprint for Planning Your Retirement

What’s Missing From Your Retirement Plan? Retirement isn’t just a finish line—it’s a new phase of life that demands careful planning and long-term strategy. Many investors believe that saving consistently over time is enough. But true retirement confidence can go beyond your 401(k) balance. It involves income planning, healthcare considerations, long-term care, and strategies that…

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Market Update: September 2, 2025

Equities touched record highs last week as economic data pointed to economic stability. Second-quarter GDP was revised higher, while July’s personal income and spending data showed healthy demand alongside an expected rise in PCE prices.

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Market Update: August 25th, 2025

Stocks were choppy through midweek but surged Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a dovish tone at the Jackson Hole Symposium, signaling that rate cuts could be approaching. Economic data painted a mixed picture, with leading indicators still pointing to slower growth while existing home sales showed improving supply conditions.

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The Value of an Objective Opinion

Why Objective Financial Advice Is Essential for a Confident Retirement Plan Retirement planning involves more than building a portfolio—it’s about creating a sustainable retirement income strategy tailored to your life. But how do you plan for an uncertain future? Two of the biggest unknowns in retirement planning are: At Sound Planning Group, we believe these…

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Market Update – August 18th, 2025

U.S. equities reached record highs early last week before pulling back, reflecting mixed economic signals. Retail sales rose 0.5% for the month of July and 3.9% year-over-year, while consumer sentiment weakened and inflation remained elevated.

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Five Retirement Planning Missteps

Are You Making One of These 5 Retirement Planning Missteps? There might not be a shortage of advice about saving for retirement—but not all retirement risks are obvious. Some of the most costly missteps don’t show up until it’s too late to correct your course. That’s why we created a new, free guide: “Five Retirement…

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Market Update – August 11th, 2025

Markets rose for the week as investors looked past new tariff measures, buoyed by strong earnings reports and a stable economic backdrop. While trade tensions remain in focus, easing effective tariff pressures and a narrowing trade deficit helped support sentiment.

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Market Update – July 28th, 2025

U.S. economic data last week was mixed but resilient, lifting equities to record highs. While leading indicators declined again, current data signals stability. Housing remains pressured by high rates, but rising inventory and softer prices may help buyers.

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Market Update – June 23rd, 2025

Last week, markets were mostly flat as the Federal Reserve held rates steady and released a more cautious set of economic projections, signaling slower growth, higher inflation, and a “higher for longer” rate outlook.

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U.S & Iran Conflict – Sunday, June 22, 2025

As we assess the events of Saturday, we hold hope that markets will interpret this decisive action as a step toward greater global stability. While geopolitical conflict inevitably brings uncertainty, it can also remove longer-term threats that markets have struggled to price.

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Market Update – June 21, 2025

As of Saturday, June 21st at 8 p.m. PST, this represents the most current information available to us. This is a rapidly developing situation, and we expect to have additional data and clarity as events unfold.  The United States has confirmed precision airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—a significant military escalation that introduces a new layer…

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Market Update – June 16th, 2025

Financial Markets Stocks declined later in the week as escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran weighed on market sentiment. As of the close on Friday, June 13th, the S&P 500 fell 0.39%, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.63%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.32%. Source: Y-Charts Market News May CPI. Prices rose less…

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Market Update – June 9th, 2025

Markets advanced last week, continuing their recovery from April’s tariff-driven selloff, as a stronger-than-expected May jobs report boosted investor confidence. Economic data painted a mixed picture. Tesla shares slid sharply in the second half of last week based on political tensions.

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Market Update – June 2nd, 2025

Financial Markets Stocks climbed in the shortened holiday week as signs of easing inflation from the PCE report, positive Nvidia earnings, and a slight upward revision to first-quarter GDP boosted sentiment. By Friday, May 30th, the Nasdaq rose 2%, the S&P 500 gained 1.9%, the Dow added 1.6%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index rose 0.9% in the week,…

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What To Consider Doing In A Down Market

When the news is filled with flashing red arrows and doom-laden headlines, it’s easy to feel the pull toward drastic action. But before you make any sudden moves, we have something to help: our new downloadable guide, “What To Do In a Down Market.” In it, we break down what history tells us, why staying…

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Market Update – May 19th, 2025

Equities rose last week, supported by better-than-expected inflation data and limited signs of tariff-driven price pressures. Inflation remains contained, helping lift market sentiment. However, consumer sentiment weakened further, and economists downgraded growth expectations and raised recession odds.

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Market Update – April 28th, 2025

Markets rallied last week as optimism around a potential U.S.–China trade agreement lifted stocks and bonds. The Leading Economic Index pointed to continued slowing in economic momentum, but is no longer a recessionary signal.

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Market Update – April 21st, 2025

Markets moved lower last week as earnings season picked up and tariff concerns lingered. March retail sales came in stronger than expected, though uncertainty remains around the sustainability of consumer demand.

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Market Update – April 14th, 2025

Markets rebounded sharply last week as President Trump’s surprise rollback of most new tariffs and cooler-than-expected inflation data helped ease investor concerns.

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Market Update – April 7th, 2025

Markets tumbled last week as newly announced tariffs far exceeded expectations, sparking fears of rising inflation, slowing global growth, and increased recession risk. Economic data painted a mixed picture.

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Market Update – March 31st, 2025

Stocks fell last week as new auto tariffs and inflation concerns pressured markets. Personal income increased, but spending lagged, pushing the savings rate higher.

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Important Retirement Milestones

Retirement planning is more than just saving money—it’s understanding the opportunities and decisions that come with each stage of life. Key milestones, like turning 50 or 65, unlock new strategies and benefits that could make a significant difference in your financial future.

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Market Update – March 24th, 2025

Stocks posted modest gains last week as the Fed held rates steady. Even with signs of slower economic growth, markets responded positively, focusing on the Fed’s expected rate cuts later this year.

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Market Update – March 17th, 2025

Stocks declined last week as tariff concerns and fears of an economic slowdown weighed on investor sentiment. February’s employment report showed weaker-than-expected job growth.

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Social Security & Medicare Quick Guide

Navigating your 2025 Tax Year – Thresholds and RMDs to keep top of mind

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Your 2025 Tax Summary

Tax planning shouldn’t be stressful, yet every year brings changes to thresholds, deductions, and limits that can catch you off guard. To help you stay on top of your financial game, we’ve created a free, 2-page PDF guide summarizing all the essential tax thresholds and numbers for 2025.

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Market Update – March 10th, 2025

Stocks declined last week as tariff concerns and fears of an economic slowdown weighed on investor sentiment. February’s employment report showed weaker-than-expected job growth.

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Market Update – March 3rd, 2025

Markets ended the week lower, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting losses. Inflation remained a concern, complicating the Federal Reserve’s ability to cut interest rates further. Consumer confidence plunged in February, jobless claims rose to a four-month high, adding to slowdown indicators.

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Market Update – February 24th, 2025

Markets cooled down last week as weak guidance from Walmart heightened concerns about a potential slowdown. Existing home sales showed record-high prices for the month of January. Meanwhile, Q4 earnings remained broadly positive.

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Market Update – February 18th, 2025

Stocks climbed last week despite hotter-than-expected inflation and softer retail sales, as investors took comfort in the apparent delay of additional tariffs. January CPI and PPI data reinforced concerns about persistent inflation, particularly in food and energy, raising expectations that the Fed may keep rates higher for longer.

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Market Update – February 10th, 2025

Stocks fell last week as weaker-than-expected job growth and a sharp drop in consumer sentiment, driven by tariff-related inflation concerns, overshadowed a slight decline in the unemployment rate.

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Portfolio Rebalancing and Tariff Impact Considerations

We understand that many of you are concerned about the potential impact of proposed tariffs and how they might affect your financial goals. In response, we’ve prepared a brief paper outlining the key considerations surrounding tariffs and their potential implications for investors.

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Market Update – February 3rd, 2025

Markets declined last week amid concerns over China’s technological advancements and renewed tariff tensions. The Federal Reserve held rates steady in its January meeting, citing inflation risks, while GDP growth for Q4 came in at 2.3%, slightly below expectations. Consumer confidence weakened in January, and personal spending outpaced income growth, leading to a decline in the personal savings rate.

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Market Update – January 27th, 2025

Last week, economic data was subdued as attention shifted to President Trump’s inauguration, executive orders, and Q4 earnings season, with the S&P 500 reaching new all-time highs.

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Market Update – January 21st, 2025

Markets found encouragement last week as falling yields and softer-than-expected core inflation lifted sentiment. December’s CPI and PPI reports showed inflation easing in several key areas, supporting hopes for stable prices, though inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Retail sales and housing data painted a mixed picture.

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Market Update – January 13th, 2025

Stocks declined last week, driven by strong labor market data that raised concerns the Federal Reserve may cut rates less aggressively in 2025. Meanwhile, consumer debt outstanding declined year-over-year, as high interest rates on items like car loans persist.

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Market Update – January 6th, 2025

The first week of 2025 began with equities posting modest losses amid sparse economic data, while bonds saw slight gains. Recession indicators remain mixed, with bearish signals from manufacturing and leading indicators, countered by bullish trends in the services sector and labor market.

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Market Update – December 23rd, 2024

Heading into the holidays, the week brought a mix of key economic updates and market turbulence. The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points but surprised investors with a less aggressive outlook for rate cuts in 2025.

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Market Update – December 16th, 2024

Markets were mixed this week as November inflation data came in hotter, raising concerns about the slowing pace of disinflation.

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