As you move through your 50s, it is time to become proactive. Retirement is no longer just a concept, it is a coming transition. A simple checklist helps you tackle the key financial tasks so you can retire with confidence and clarity. Pre-Retirement Checklist 1) Max out contributions Starting at age 50, the IRS allows  catch-up contributions  to your 403(b). For 2026, the catch-up amount is  $8,000  on top of the annual elective deferral limit. Over a decade, that can a

Most people in their 50s wonder if they are truly on track to retire comfortably. We hear the same questions often. How much do I need? Am I saving enough? What if I want to retire earlier? The key is to look at your complete financial picture, not just your account balance. How to Know if You Are on Track 1) Project your future retirement income Add up likely sources. Your TIAA or Fidelity 403(b) , Social Security for you and your spouse, and personal savings. Decide when

Happy Holidays! Equity markets approach the end of the year on firm footing, with the S&P 500 extending its winning streak to a seventh straight month in a dramatic reversal. Corporate earnings continued to outperform expectations, early holiday retail results appear solid, and the Atlanta Fed’s GDP tracker is estimating roughly 4% growth. With the Federal Reserve widely expected to cut rates again in December and growing speculation of a more dovish posture as the administ

In your 50s, your focus starts to shift from pure growth to preservation with purpose. You are closer to using the money, so the stakes feel higher. Managing risk does not mean avoiding growth. It means being intentional about the risks you take and making sure your TIAA or Fidelity 403(b) matches your comfort level and time horizon. What “Risk” Means Now in a TIAA or Fidelity 403(b) Risk is more than market dips. Shortfall risk: Falling short of what you need in retiremen

If you are in your 50s and feel behind on retirement, you are not alone. Many University employees start thinking seriously about the future at this stage, often with a mix of concern, urgency, and questions. The good news is that your 50s are not the end of the road. They can be a powerful runway for course correction. You may have a few decades of work behind you. You might be earning your highest income, carrying less debt, or preparing for a change in lifestyle. For many

Your 30s are about building good habits. Just as you maintain your car or update your home, your retirement account needs regular attention. This is where many University employees fall behind. They enroll once and then forget about it. Think of your 403(b) as a living plan. Life changes. The market changes. Your risk tolerance changes. A simple annual review can keep your plan on track. The 403(b) Annual Checklist for Employees in Their 30s 1) Review Your Contributions

The IRS just announced its contribution limits for 2026, and there’s exciting news for university staff with 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans: you can now save more than ever before. At Provizr, we know that retirement planning can feel like alphabet soup 403(b), 457(b), SECURE 2.0 but we’re here to translate it into real opportunities. Let’s break it down and show you what this means for your financial future. What’s Changing in 2026 The IRS is increasing the contribution

If you are like many University employees, you picked TIAA or Fidelity on your first day and have not thought much about it since. The choice between these providers, and how you allocate within them, can influence your long-term results. This overview will help you understand the strengths of each so you can make informed adjustments in your 30s. The Basics of Each Provider : Fidelity Robust lineup with more than  190  investment funds to choose from Many low-cost index

Hello Friends! Equity markets are off to a shaky start in November. Despite healthy double-digit gains for the year, the mood may be shifting. It feels as though investors are marching forward slowly, but doing so in the dark, and with each step, there’s the lingering question in the back of the mind about whether the next step is the one that leads to a fall. There’s some evidence of a weakening labor market, but the government shutdown is preventing access to full data,