Beacon Financial Planners, Inc.

11/27/2025

🦃 This Thanksgiving, our hearts are full of gratitude.

We are thankful for:
💛 The trust our clients place in us to guide their financial journeys
👏 The dedication of our team, whose commitment makes everything possible
🏡 The communities we serve, which inspire us every day with their resilience and strength

We want to express our deepest appreciation in a season that reminds us of the importance of connection. The relationships we share with clients, colleagues, and friends are what make our work meaningful.

From our team to yours, may your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude, great company, and plenty of pie. 🥧🥧

11/25/2025

⏰ It’s Open Enrollment season, which means it’s time to review your health and benefits coverage for the year ahead.

According to Fidelity, here are the general timelines to keep in mind:
📌 ACA/HealthCare.gov: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 (enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage)
📌 Medicare: Oct 15 – Dec 7 (separate rules apply for Initial and General Enrollment)
📌 Medicaid/CHIP: Enrollment available year-round if eligible
📌 State marketplaces: Some states have slightly different windows—check your state’s site
📌 Employer plans: Typically run 2–4 weeks in Oct/Nov (HR/benefits will confirm exact dates)

💡 The reminder: Open Enrollment only comes once a year. It’s your chance to compare options, weigh costs, and align your coverage with your needs.

If you’d like to talk through how your benefits fit into your broader financial strategy, we’re here to help.

11/25/2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard Medicare Part B premium will rise to $202.90 per month in 2026, up from $185 in 2025 — a 9.7% increase.

CMS also confirmed the Part B annual deductible will increase to $283, up from $257.

According to CMS data, these adjustments reflect updated program costs for medical and preventive services covered under Part B. Since premiums are typically deducted from Social Security benefits, the change may affect the amount beneficiaries receive each month once the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is applied.

Medicare Part B premiums are often deducted directly from Social Security checks, and therefore affect how much of an increase beneficiaries may see in 2026.

11/21/2025

🎁 PricewaterhouseCoopers projects U.S. holiday spending will see its steepest drop since 2020:
▪️ Overall spending down 5 percent
▪️ Gift budgets down 11 percent
▪️ Gen Z cutting back a striking 23 percent

💭 When people spend less, the real question becomes: What drives the purchases we do make?

A 2023 Simple Money article, “The Psychology of Holiday Spending,” points out that overspending often happens when:
▪️ We try to “re-create” the holidays of our childhood with bigger or more gifts
▪️ We feel pressure to match the generosity of friends or family
▪️ Retailers remind us that “time is running out,” and we click buy now before thinking twice

🧠 The real opportunity this season isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending with intention.

As we know, the best gifts are rarely the ones wrapped in paper.

When financial choices align with values, the holidays can feel lighter, less stressful, and more meaningful. Wishing a wonderful holiday to you and all those you love.

11/20/2025

Homebuyer demand is picking up again. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 6% last week, reaching their strongest level since September, according to new industry data.



This increase comes even as the average 30-year fixed rate inched up to 6.34%, and points rose for borrowers making a 20% down payment. Analysts note that higher inventory and slower price growth in certain markets may be providing buyers with more opportunities.



Refinance activity moved in the opposite direction, slipping 3% for the week, but remained significantly higher than it was at this time last year.

Homebuyer demand for mortgages climbed last week to the highest level since September, even though interest rates also rose. Refinance demand, however, dropped.

11/19/2025

💡 Did you know? If you’re over 50, a big retirement savings rule change is coming in 2026.

It has to do with retirement plan catch-up contributions (the extra dollars allowed once you turn 50).

First, catch-up contributions aren’t going away. You’ll still be able to make them in 2026 and beyond.

BUT—here’s the important difference:
📌 High earners will face a new rule. If you earned more than $145,000 from your employer in the prior year (indexed for inflation), all of your catch-up contributions will be handled differently. For some, that may mean you’ll have a taxable event now but down the road certain retirement plan withdrawals could be tax-free.
📌 Keep in mind that many companies are updating their retirement plans to make it easier for higher-earners to follow the new rule.
📌 If you earn less than $145,000, you can still choose where to place your money depending on your plan's choices.

If you’re turning 50 soon or already making catch-up contributions, now is the time to review your strategy and see if your plan is keeping up with the new rule.

11/17/2025

The IRS has released the 2026 contribution limits for workplace retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, most 457 plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan.

Here’s what’s changing:
▪️Employee contribution limit: $24,500 for 2026 (up from $23,500 in 2025)
▪️Catch-up contribution (age 50+): $8,000 for 2026
▪️Special catch-up (age 60–63): $11,250, unchanged from last year

These annual adjustments reflect updated IRS thresholds and may influence how individuals approach their savings goals for the upcoming year.

The IRS has announced higher 401(k) contribution limits for 2026. Here’s what savers need to know.

11/17/2025

⏰ The end of the year presents unique opportunities for financial strategy decisions.

Here are a few smart moves to consider before December 31 that could make a real difference. According to Plancorp’s Ultimate Checklist:

✅ Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to see if you might need to make a final estimated payment by January 15
✅ Consider rebalancing your portfolio and exploring tax-loss harvesting before December 31
✅ Review your FSA contributions. Remember, FSAs may be “use it or lose it”
✅ Consider boosting your college savings while making the most of the annual gift exclusion

Year-end preparation isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about making small, timely moves that can have a lasting impact.

Taking an hour now can help you start 2026 confident and prepared.

💡 If any of these ideas create some interest—or if you have some of your own—we might be able to provide you with additional information. But we would encourage you to check in with your tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any changes.

11/14/2025

🚨 It could cost you $290,000/year to give your loved one 24/7 home care.

If you have a family member over the age of 75, this reality may already be on your mind.

63 million Americans are now caregivers, which is up 45 percent in 10 years.

The stats are brutal:
▪️ 1 in 4 caregivers go into debt or raid retirement accounts
▪️ The average caregiver works 27 hours/week (unpaid)
▪️ Medicare covers nursing homes for just 100 days max
▪️ Half of those under 50 are caring for aging parents and raising kids

What families who navigate this successfully do differently:
✅ Have the money conversation before the crisis hits
✅ Get power of attorney and healthcare directives sorted now
✅ Run actual care cost calculators (not wishful thinking)
✅ Understand what insurance actually covers (spoiler: not much)

"The new inheritance isn't money for your kids—it's having enough to cover long-term care."

Whether it's you or someone you know, don't wait for the emergency room call to start preparing.

What's your biggest concern about having to care for an aging parent?

11/12/2025

Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026 — an increase that adds about $56 a month on average to retirement benefits.

While the adjustment helps payments keep pace with inflation, it’s also renewing debate over how the annual COLA is calculated. Lawmakers are considering whether to replace the current CPI-W index, which tracks the spending of urban wage earners, with one that better reflects the spending patterns of older adults, such as higher medical and housing costs.

Experts note that changing the formula could slightly alter future adjustments, but it would also impact the program’s long-term finances. For now, the 2026 increase remains near the historical average for COLAs since 1975.

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 will not be a windfall for the millions of beneficiaries who rely on the program's monthly checks.

11/11/2025

Today, we honor the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform.

The courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of our veterans protect the freedoms we often take for granted.

Their service is a powerful reminder of what it means to put others before oneself.

Today, and every day, we are deeply grateful.

11/10/2025

Federal transportation officials have warned that ongoing funding disruptions could lead to the temporary closure of certain sections of U.S. airspace if staffing levels continue to decline.



Air traffic controllers and safety personnel have been working without pay through the shutdown, prompting concerns over fatigue and scheduling gaps. Industry analysts say even limited closures could create ripple effects across the national flight network, particularly in major hub cities.



While essential operations remain active, prolonged interruptions to air traffic management would likely slow travel and add to logistical challenges for businesses and travelers alike.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency may need to close "certain parts" of the nation's airspace if the shutdown drags on.