Hanner Financial Services, Inc.

10/08/2026

🚨 Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and the financial toll is growing.

Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in scam losses last year, up 25% from the year before. And the real number may be much higher, since many victims never report what happened.

⚠️ The problem is also widespread: 98% of Americans surveyed said they believe scammers have targeted them, and 3 in 10 said they’ve personally lost money or information.

Recovering stolen funds can be difficult, especially when someone is tricked into authorizing a payment. Victims may also be targeted again by criminals claiming they can recover the original loss for a fee.

🔐 If someone contacts you unexpectedly about money, an investment, or recovering funds you’ve already lost, slow down before sending anything. Verify who you’re dealing with through a trusted source, and be especially cautious if there’s pressure to act quickly.


Source:

Virtually every American has been targeted by scammers in some way, exclusive new polling data shows.

09/22/2026

For many Gen Xers, retirement is starting to feel less like a distant milestone and more like a looming financial reality.

The oldest members of the generation will turn 62 next year, the earliest age to claim Social Security. At the same time, many are approaching retirement with limited savings and fewer pensions than previous generations had.

The median Gen X retirement savings balance is about $107,000, while members of the generation estimate they’ll need roughly $700,000 for retirement. Social Security may also become an increasingly important source of income, with 41% of workers over 55 saying they expect it to be their primary source in retirement.

That gap is prompting some Gen Xers to rethink when they’ll stop working, how much they may need to save, and what retirement could realistically look like.

If retirement is getting closer, this may be a good time to review your savings, expected Social Security benefits, and other sources of retirement income.


Source:

Millions of Generation X Americans expect to depend on Social Security as their main — or only — source of retirement income.

09/01/2026

08/21/2026

Some hospitals and medical providers are asking patients to pay more before receiving non-emergency care.

The trend comes as deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.

Traditionally, many patients received bills after treatment. Now, some providers are collecting preservice deposits based on their estimate of what a patient may owe.

A KFF Health News report noted that the average deductible for employer-sponsored family coverage is $3,762 per person. The average deductible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage rose 37% this year to $3,786.

For patients, upfront payment requests can create confusion, especially when insurance networks, deductibles, and estimated costs are unclear.

Emergency care has different rules. Hospitals that accept Medicare funding cannot demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an emergency room.

For non-emergency care, it may be worth asking for an itemized estimate, confirming network status, and checking with the insurance company before making a large payment.


Source:

Hospitals and other medical providers are increasingly asking for payment before providing care, collecting more of what patients might owe.

08/11/2026

August is here and that means Back to School! The staff at Hanner Financial Services, Inc thought we would join in the fun with pictures from our school days! We wish everyone a fantastic school year!

08/03/2026

Small business owners often think of their employees as family, but are they set up like it? This post opens the conversation around retirement options available to small business employees, reminding owners that a 401(k) isn't the only choice and that some options are built specifically for smaller teams.

07/15/2026

Resilient growth, rising inflation trends, and powerful earnings continue to shape the market backdrop. Dive into the Q3 Quarterly Outlook to explore what’s driving these forces and what they could mean for portfolios in the months ahead. Click to learn more:

Cetera Investment Management is pleased to present its Q3 2026 Market Outlook: “Steady Ground, Rising Stakes.” In this quarter’s outlook, we examine a market…

07/08/2026

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.

06/11/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

06/04/2026

Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.

Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.

A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.

For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.


Source:

A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.