Aaron Cahill, MBA, CRPC at Voya Financial Advisors

09/03/2026

Investor Bill Gurley once joked that the reason Silicon Valley has created so much wealth is because it's the city furthest from Washington, D.C.

There's some humor in that, but also an important reminder for investors as we approach the midterm elections.

Since 1974, midterm election years have experienced an average maximum intra-year S&P 500 decline of approximately 18%, compared with 14% during presidential election years and 12% during other years.

That's not a prediction for 2026. It's perspective.

Zoom out even further: from 2009 through August 2026, the S&P 500 compounded at approximately 15% annually—across five presidential terms, both political parties, a pandemic, inflation, geopolitical conflicts and countless unsettling headlines.

Politics matter. But over the long run, businesses, earnings, innovation and economic growth matter too.

As November approaches, the goal shouldn't be to predict the next headline or market move. It should be to make sure your financial plan is prepared for whatever comes next.

Stay informed. Stay diversified. Stay focused on the plan.

08/26/2026

Voya Financial Advisors will be on campus in person to support employees with their 403(b) and ORP-retirement savings plans.

Visiting SUNY Oswego on Wednesday, September 9th, and will be available from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in the Marano Campus Center room 239 for brief, one-on-one meetings.

👉 To reserve your preferred time, please click the link below to reserve your meeting today!

Open to all, especially for those New York State Tier 6 members, your pension is an important foundation—but it's often not designed to fully replace your income in retirement. Supplementing with a 403(b) can help close that gap, provide flexibility, and give you more control over your long-term financial security.

During our time together, we can:
- Get you enrolled in the SUNY-approved 403(b) and/or ORP if you're just getting started.

- Review and service an existing 403(b) and/or ORP to ensure it's working efficiently for you.

- Discuss if consolidating or switching to Voya, so your plan is easier to manage with ongoing local support is right for you.

- Regular check-ins—annually or during major life or career changes—can provide clarity and confidence in your retirement plan.

If you're unable to meet that day but would still like to talk, feel free to reach out directly and we'll find another time that works better with your schedule.

I look forward to meeting you and helping make retirement planning simple and stress-free.

timetap.com

08/14/2026

Important Retirement Update for SUNY Employees

The recently passed New York State Budget brings some positive changes for Tier 6 participants in the SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

Beginning October 1, 2026, employees will be required to contribute less toward the ORP, while SUNY will contribute more toward your retirement.

That's great news—but it also creates a financial planning opportunity.

If your required retirement contribution is going down and your budget allows, consider redirecting some or all of that difference toward your voluntary 403(b) and/or 457.

Think about it this way: you're already accustomed to that money coming out of your paycheck. Instead of allowing the additional take-home pay to gradually become part of your spending, consider putting those dollars back to work for your future.

Even an additional 1% or 2% invested consistently over the course of a career can make a meaningful difference.

The goal isn't simply to contribute less because you're now required to contribute less. It's to ask:

"How can I use this change to put myself in an even stronger position for retirement?"

If you're a SUNY employee and would like to better understand how the new Tier 6 changes impact you—or how your ORP, 403(b), and 457(b) can work together—I'd be happy to help.

08/13/2026

Summer is one of the best times for a retirement checkup. For many SUNY employees, the pace slows down just enough to finally focus on something that's easy to put off during the academic year—your financial future.

I've found that many people enroll in their retirement plan when they're hired and rarely revisit it. Years later, they're still invested the same way, contributing the same amount, and wondering if they're truly on track.

A simple retirement review can help answer questions like:

* Am I invested appropriately for my age and goals?
* Should I be contributing to a 403(b) or 457(b)?
* Would Roth contributions make sense for me?
* Am I paying more in investment expenses than I need to?
* Do I have a plan to turn my savings into retirement income?

Whether your retirement account is with Voya, TIAA, Corebridge, or Fidelity, one thing remains the same: you deserve to understand your options and feel confident about your plan.

As part of your SUNY retirement benefits, you have access to retirement planning at no additional cost. Whether you're just beginning your career, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, I'd be happy to sit down with you, review your current strategy, answer your questions, and help build a roadmap for the future.

The goal isn't to make changes for the sake of making changes.

It's to make informed decisions that help you maximize not only your return on investment, but your Return on Life.

💬 Question for you: If someone reviewed your retirement plan today, what would you want to know? Share your thoughts below or send me a direct message. If you've been meaning to schedule a retirement review, summer is a great time to start!

08/11/2026

PART 12 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Bringing It All Together

Over the past six weeks we've discussed retirement elections, investing, supplemental savings, taxes, and retirement income.

My hope is simple. That you're more informed today than you were six weeks ago.

Whether your retirement account is with Voya, TIAA, Corebridge, or Fidelity, one of your SUNY benefits is access to retirement planning and education.

Whether you're just starting your career or preparing for retirement, I'd love the opportunity to help you better understand your options.

Because retirement isn't just about your return on investment.

It's about your Return on Life.

💬 Let's continue the conversation. If this series sparked a question or you'd like a second opinion on your retirement strategy, leave a comment or send me a direct message. I'd be happy to help.

08/06/2026

PART 11 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Retirement Plans Should Evolve

Life changes. Families grow. Markets fluctuate. Goals evolve.

Your retirement strategy should evolve too.

One review every few years can make a meaningful difference.

💬 Question of the Week

When was the last time someone reviewed your retirement plan—not just your account balance?

08/04/2026

PART 10 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Retirement Is About Income

Saving money is only half the journey. Eventually your investments need to provide income.

Social Security. Taxes. Withdrawals. Healthcare. Investment management.

These decisions often determine how comfortable retirement feels.

Next Time

Why retirement planning isn't a one-time event.

💬 Question of the Week

If you retired tomorrow, would you know where your paycheck is coming from?

07/30/2026

PART 9 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Protecting an Overlooked Tax Benefit

One of the lesser-known aspects of the ORP is that eligible distributions may receive favorable New York State tax treatment.

That's one reason why maintaining good records throughout your career is so important.

Before rolling ORP assets into another retirement account, it's worth understanding how that decision could affect your ability to document and preserve available tax benefits.

Planning ahead can help avoid unnecessary complications later.

Next Time

Turning savings into retirement income.

💬 Question of the Week

Have you ever discussed the tax implications of rolling over your retirement accounts?

07/28/2026

PART 8 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Traditional or Roth?

Many SUNY employees don't realize they may have both Traditional and Roth contribution options.

Traditional contributions may lower your taxable income today. Roth contributions are made after tax, but qualified withdrawals are generally tax-free.

The right answer isn't always one or the other.

Sometimes it's both.

Next Time

One of the ORP's most overlooked tax benefits.

💬 Question of the Week

Would paying some taxes today create more flexibility later?

07/21/2026

PART 6 A SUNY Retirement Guide
Small Fees. Big Difference.

Everyone talks about investment returns. Few people talk about investment expenses. Expense ratios may look small.

Over a 20- or 30-year career... They may add up to thousands of dollars.

Reviewing your investments isn't about chasing performance. It's about making sure your money is working efficiently.

Next Time

Why every SUNY employee should know about the 403(b) and 457.

💬 Question of the Week

Do you know the expense ratio of the largest investment in your retirement account?