SGS Wealth Management

09/02/2026

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.

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

09/02/2026

👉 Roughly 56 percent of IPOs bought at the offer price lost money after 3 years.

That's not the headline you see on day one.

You see the first-day pop. The company goes public, and its stock has averaged a 19 percent gain since 1980. Feels like a moment you should catch.

Here's what actually happens:

1️⃣ Institutional investors get the offering price before trading opens.

2️⃣ You buy at market open, after the move.

Then the real story starts.

🔎 This gap is based on research led by Professor Jay R. Ritter, who authored a 2026 report on IPO performance for the University of Florida. His analysis of 9,300 U.S. IPOs is one of the most comprehensive databases available.

Chasing IPOs can provide a thrill, but there are pros and cons.

A sound portfolio should reflect an investor's goals, risk, and time horizon. The risks of an IPO are not for everyone. 🎯

📋 Past performance does not guarantee future results. The return and principal value of IPOs and other stocks will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

09/02/2026

The sooner you begin investing, the longer your money can work for you.

Procrastination can be costly. When you get a late start, it may be difficult to make up for lost time.

08/31/2026

Inflation is still running above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in July and 3.7% from a year earlier. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy prices, increased 3.3% annually.

The report also showed personal income rose 0.4% while spending increased 0.2%.

For consumers, that means price pressures haven’t disappeared, even as some categories, including gasoline and other energy-related goods, moved lower during the month.

With inflation still elevated, the latest numbers may remain an important part of the Fed’s upcoming interest-rate discussions.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

08/31/2026

Are you planning to work after taking Social Security benefits? Know the rules.

Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits.

08/31/2026

A pay raise does not always mean a paycheck goes further.

New research found that from February 2021 to June 2022, real wages fell by more than 4% as inflation outpaced many workers’ pay increases. The impact lasted for many households, with 37% of workers in the study earning less in inflation-adjusted terms in December 2024 than they had four years earlier.

Now, a similar squeeze is happening again. In July, the Consumer Price Index rose at a 3.4% annual pace, while hourly wages rose 3.2% over the same period.

When prices rise faster than pay, purchasing power declines. That can make everyday expenses feel heavier, even when income is technically increasing.

When inflation rises faster than workers' wages, it feels like they're getting a pay cut. Companies, meanwhile, benefit.

08/28/2026

Do you actually know what your car costs you in fuel each year? Enter your driving habits and gas prices to find out what your MPG really means for your wallet.

Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency and see what you're spending on gas annually.

08/26/2026

How familiar are you with the Federal Reserve? Here is a quick history.

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

08/24/2026

Ready to retire? Prepare with these key questions for those ready to take the big step.

Key questions to answer when you are considering retirement.

08/21/2026

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles, and online accounts?

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?