The Hancock Group, Inc.

07/13/2026

At The Hancock Group, Inc., we believe the best conversations start by listening.

We're always looking for new ways to provide helpful information about retirement planning, investments, life insurance, and other financial topics—and we'd love your input!

- What questions do you have?
- Are there investment topics you'd like us to explain?
- Wondering about retirement planning or Social Security?
- Have questions about life insurance or protecting your family's future?
- Curious about estate planning, taxes, or other financial matters?

No question is too simple or too complex. If it's important to you, it's important to us.

Leave your ideas or questions in the comments below, and they may inspire one of our upcoming posts. Our goal is to create content that is informative, easy to understand, and most importantly—valuable to you.

Thank you for trusting The Hancock Group, Inc.. We look forward to hearing from you!

07/12/2026

Today we're celebrating a very special birthday—please join us in wishing Ray Kline a very happy birthday!

If you've ever visited or called The Hancock Group, Inc., chances are you've had the pleasure of interacting with Ray. For more than 25 years, he has welcomed clients with a friendly smile, answered countless phone calls, and personally called each of our clients every year to wish them a happy birthday.

Those are just a few of the many ways Ray helps make The Hancock Group, Inc. the welcoming place it is. Behind the scenes, he plays an important role in keeping our office running smoothly, and we're grateful to have him as both a valued coworker and a friend.

Today, it's our turn to celebrate him!

Please help us make Ray's day extra special by leaving your birthday wishes in the comments below. Happy Birthday, Ray!

07/09/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

07/07/2026

🍫 Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫

Today is the perfect excuse to enjoy a little chocolate... as if we really needed one! Whether you're a fan of chocolate bars, brownies, truffles, or a handful of Hershey's Kisses, we hope your day is just a little sweeter.

And here's a fun bonus: July 7 is also International Kissing Day! 💋

So, if you're trying to keep those calories in check, you can always skip the Hershey's Kisses and replace them with real kisses instead. They're calorie-free, heartwarming, and they might just make someone's day a little sweeter too! ❤️

Happy World Chocolate Day!

07/06/2026

The Hancock Group Inc would like to wish our Office Manager, Ann Betar, a very happy birthday! Ann works hard for our clients, as well as to keep the office running smoothly, for which we are all grateful.

If you stop in today, or speak with her on the phone, be sure to wish her a happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Ann!

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

The Big Boy is coming to Altoona!

Railroad fans, history buffs, and families won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014—the world's largest operating steam locomotive—is scheduled to be in Altoona July 8–11 as part of its nationwide America 250 tour. During its visit, the iconic locomotive will be on display in Altoona before making its historic climb over the world-famous Horseshoe Curve on Saturday, July 11.

This marks the first time the massive steam engine has traveled to Altoona, bringing together two of America's greatest railroad legends. Whether you're a lifelong railfan or just looking for an unforgettable family outing, don't miss the chance to experience the thunder, steam, and history of Big Boy No. 4014 right here in Blair County!

Here's a video discussing the history of the Big Boy locomotives.

Big Boy wasn’t just massive — it was built to solve one of the toug...

06/30/2026

⛽ Gas Prices: A Look Back Over the Last 20 Years

Many people feel like gas prices are higher than ever, but the story is more complicated.

📈 In 1990, the average price of gasoline in the U.S. was about $1.26 per gallon.

📈 Prices climbed steadily through the 2000s, reaching over $4.00 per gallon in 2008 during a major oil price surge.

📉 The Great Recession brought prices back down near $1.80–$2.00 per gallon, only for them to rise again above $3.50 per gallon by 2014.

📉 Oil market crashes in 2015–2016 and the pandemic-driven collapse in 2020 pushed prices lower, with national averages falling below $2.00 per gallon at times.

📈 As the economy recovered, demand surged and gas prices hit a record national average of nearly $5.00 per gallon in June 2022.

⛽ Today, prices have moderated, averaging around $3.00 per gallon, with June 2026 projections ranging from $2.81 to $2.91 per gallon.

💡 The bigger picture: When adjusted for inflation, gasoline costs have increased significantly over time. While today's pump prices may seem similar to some years in the past, the purchasing power of each dollar has changed dramatically.

Gas prices continue to be influenced by:
• Global oil markets
• Economic growth and recessions
• Geopolitical events
• Seasonal travel demand

What was the highest gas price you remember paying?

06/27/2026

Congratulations to Noah Kirsch, the 2026 Scholarship Recipient of The Hancock Group Employees and Associates Foundation! 🎉

Noah, a senior at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, has demonstrated exceptional achievement both in and out of the classroom, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA while making a positive impact throughout our community.

His dedication to service is evident through his volunteer work with the Blair County Food Drive, Food Bank, Pumpkin Fest, nursing homes, Art Camp, and youth activities at Saint Michael’s Church. Noah has also shown remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by operating his own lawn care business and completing a marketing internship with Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center.

A talented athlete, Noah has participated in numerous sports, including basketball, bowling, golf, tennis, volleyball, and track & field, where he placed in the top five at Districts in shot put. He is also a member of the Hollidaysburg Marching Band.

Through Penn State Altoona’s YEA business program, Noah founded ZEAL Nutrition, a protein bar business that earned $4,500 in startup funding from local business leaders and advanced to the national competition, where he presented his business live on air.

Noah plans to pursue a degree in business and finance, with the goal of earning his master’s degree. He has been accepted to both Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Saint Francis University.

We are proud to recognize Noah’s hard work, leadership, service, and entrepreneurial success. We wish him continued success as he begins this exciting new chapter!