Phillip Brown - Northwestern Mutual

06/24/2026

Burnout can impact more than your career.

For many medical professionals, years of long hours and constant demands can affect long-term planning, decision-making, and overall quality of life.

Financial planning isn’t just about building wealth, it’s about creating flexibility and support for the future you want outside of work.

06/23/2026

Markets continue to show resilience, but the path forward may depend on inflation, the Fed’s next move, and whether AI-related investment remains strong as financing costs rise. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management CIO Brent Schutte shares why diversification remains important in today’s market environment. http://spr.ly/6189BDwjEz

06/21/2026

06/18/2026

You can work and collect Social Security, but there are a few important tradeoffs to understand.

If you claim benefits before full retirement age and continue earning income, your benefits may be temporarily reduced if you exceed certain income limits. In some cases, higher income can also make a portion of your benefits taxable and may even impact Medicare premiums.

The key takeaway: working in retirement can make sense, but timing and income planning matter.

06/16/2026

Big market headlines can create questions for clients. In this week’s commentary, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management CIO Brent Schutte looks at the SpaceX IPO, inflation, and the Fed—and why long-term discipline still matters when markets get noisy. http://spr.ly/6181BDGX5W

06/12/2026

How does your retirement savings compare to others in your 40s and 50s?

Recent data shows that 401(k) balances vary widely at this stage of life. On average, savers in their 40s have around $400K saved, while those in their 50s are closer to $600K. But the median, what’s often a more realistic picture, comes in significantly lower.

The bigger takeaway isn’t the exact number—it’s the gap between where many people are and where they may need to be for the retirement they envision. Your 40s and 50s are often peak earning years, making them a critical window to increase savings, take advantage of catch-up contributions, and refine your overall strategy.

Small adjustments now can make a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.

06/04/2026

Do Social Security taxes stop once you reach retirement age?

It’s a common assumption but not how it works.

If you’re still earning income, you’ll continue paying Social Security taxes, regardless of your age. What changes at full retirement age is how your benefits are treated—not the tax itself.

Understanding that distinction is important when planning for income in retirement.