Beyond Bulls & Bears

Beyond generic advice: How advisors can personalize investing
Retirement

Beyond generic advice: How advisors can personalize investing

Personalized messaging has a powerful impact. Our Kevin Murphy believes it is time for the financial services industry to deliver personalized solutions and advice.

Advisors’ top 529 questions, answered
College Savings

Advisors’ top 529 questions, answered

Our recent 529 Month webinar focused on how 529 plans are used, the impact on federal financial aid, and expanded uses. Here are some of the leading topics discussed.

Reasons why a grandparent-owned 529 may make sense
College Savings

Reasons why a grandparent-owned 529 may make sense

A grandparent may choose to fund a 529 plan for a grandchild’s education. Our Bill Cass discusses key tax and estate planning considerations as well as the impact on student financial aid.

Decision made: Why 529 plans are a popular choice for education savings
College Savings

Decision made: Why 529 plans are a popular choice for education savings

For families saving for college, 529 plans remain popular. Our Bill Cass shares some key facts about 529 plans.

Driving convergence between retirement and wealth
Retirement

Driving convergence between retirement and wealth

Legislation is driving a renewed focus on workers without workplace savings plans, creating opportunities for both wealth advisors and retirement specialists. Our Retirement Strategist Mike Dullaghan discusses the trends.

Consider a reset of college savings with a 529 plan
College Savings

Consider a reset of college savings with a 529 plan

Understanding the broader tax benefits, 529 plans may be a more tax-efficient way to save for college than custodial accounts. Our Wealth Planning Director Bill Cass highlights several reasons to consider this strategy.

Getting personal: Mind the benefits gap
Retirement

Getting personal: Mind the benefits gap

Educating workers about workplace benefits is vital to employee retention, according to findings from Franklin Templeton’s 2024 “Voice of the American Workplace” survey. Our Jacque Reardon shares findings from the survey related to what employees want—and how employers can meet these needs to benefit both parties.

Great Expectations: Aligning on workplace benefits
Retirement

Great Expectations: Aligning on workplace benefits

The fourth edition of Franklin Templeton’s “Voice of the American Workplace” survey included the perspectives of both employers and workers. The 2024 survey found US workers are prioritizing higher compensation and the ability to save more for retirement. At the same time, employers’ perceptions of what workers are seeking has diverged. In this piece, our Jacque Reardon shares findings from the survey and potential implications for employers.

SECURE 2.0 creates new backdoor Roth opportunity
Legislation

SECURE 2.0 creates new backdoor Roth opportunity

Here’s a look at how a new legislative provision may be an opportunity to help jump-start retirement savings for children while saving for college at the same time.

Financial independence remains a top priority despite employee feelings of financial anxiety
Retirement

Financial independence remains a top priority despite employee feelings of financial anxiety

US workers are clearly feeling the strain of economic uncertainty, according to Franklin Templeton’s third annual “Voice of the American Worker” study. The study revealed that financial anxiety has reversed the pandemic’s “Great Resignation” to “the Great Return” and is reshaping employee benefits expectations. Our Jacquelyn Reardon shares findings from the survey, and potential action items for employers.

“Managed accounts” is a terrible name
Education

“Managed accounts” is a terrible name

The retirement savings industry is at the dawn of a mega-trend that will define the next decade or more—personalization, according to Kevin Murphy, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Workplace Retirement Distribution.

Saving for college: Start small, but start now
Education

Saving for college: Start small, but start now

Graduation season provides an important reminder of the high costs of a college education. Sandra Palmer, Head of 529 Distribution at Franklin Templeton, discusses how to finance a college education, how it’s similar to saving for other life goals, and how friends and family can get involved.