Collective Wealth Planning

09/01/2026

September is here, and this month’s Collective Wealth Planning newsletter is all about planning for what’s next.

Inside, we’re sharing a new Oregon PERS IAP Member Choice resource, a Medicare Open Enrollment flowchart, two upcoming fall events, and one of our favorite Dolly Parton listens.

There’s a little something for current public employees, retirees, and anyone who enjoys a good resource — financial or otherwise.

Read the September newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/collectivewealthplanning/september2026newsletter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_9-qc-RDc

08/26/2026

If you’re an Oregon PERS member, September brings one of the few opportunities you have to directly customize part of your retirement benefits.

During the annual IAP Member Choice window, you can choose a different target-date fund for your Individual Account Program.

For many members, the default fund may be perfectly appropriate. But your birth year doesn’t tell the whole story — your actual retirement date, other investments, pension income, and comfort with market risk all matter too.

We put together a new guide (and short video) covering how the default fund is selected, how the investments change over time, and when choosing a different fund may make sense.

Read more here: https://collectivewealthplanning.com/oregon-pers-iap-member-choice-should-you-change-your-target-date-fund/

https://youtu.be/jxSw_NecbGE

If you’re an Oregon PERS member, September is your annual opportuni...

08/03/2026

Collective Wealth Planning founder Brenna Baucum, CFP® was recently quoted in this AARP article about common financial mistakes that can interfere with Gen X retirement planning.

The article explores how past experiences—including the Great Recession—can shape financial decisions today, along with steps Gen Xers can take to strengthen their retirement plans.

Read the article: https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/avoid-these-gen-x-mistakes/

Lack of planning, debt and emotional investing decisions can hinder savings

08/01/2026

Our August newsletter is here.

This month, we’re exploring planning beyond the numbers—including retirement decisions, Oregon PERS pension options, meaningful connection, recent market themes, and two upcoming fall events for women in the Salem community.

Take a look and find something useful to read, watch, or listen to: https://mailchi.mp/collectivewealthplanning/august2026newsletter



https://youtu.be/lOG4fiR08lk

In this August 2026 update, Brenna Baucum of Collective Wealth Plan...

07/14/2026

Markets rebounded in the second quarter, but the story beneath the headlines remained more nuanced—shifting leadership, continued enthusiasm around AI, a changing interest-rate outlook, and meaningful differences across sectors and global markets.

Our Q2 2026 Market Review takes a closer look at what shaped the quarter and why patience and diversification continue to matter.

https://collectivewealthplanning.com/q2-2026-market-review/

Q2 2026 Market Review covering stocks, bonds, international markets, AI-driven growth and the value of diversification.

07/13/2026

What do retirees really want to know when they reach out to a financial advisor? Most often, it comes down to one deeply personal question: “Am I going to be okay?”

Collective Wealth Planning founder Brenna Baucum, CFP® recently spoke with Kerry Hannon / Yahoo Finance about what retirees and near-retirees are looking for when they seek financial guidance:

“They are looking for clarity. They want to understand what they can spend, what they can give, and how to make decisions without constantly worrying that one wrong move will derail everything.”

Retirement planning is about more than managing investments. It’s about creating a long-term plan that brings all the pieces together—and gives you the confidence to use your money in support of the life you want to live.

Read the full article here: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/retirees-have-questions-for-financial-advisers-heres-what-they-want-to-know-141651781.html

Increasingly, retirees are turning to financial advisers for the first time to help. Here's what they are asking.

07/01/2026

Our July newsletter is here.

This month, we’re focused on thoughtful financial decisions — in retirement, Oregon PERS, charitable giving, and high-profile market moments.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A Kiplinger article featuring founder Brenna Baucum, CFP®'s perspective on why retirement often requires a “beginner’s mindset”
• A plain-English guide to how Oregon PERS works for newer members
• A New York Times podcast episode on the recent SpaceX IPO and the importance of pausing before getting swept up in market excitement
• A quarterly Collective Catch-Up from family, community, and the firm

We hope something in this month’s issue gives you a useful idea, a good question to ask, or a helpful pause before your next financial decision.

https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?e=dc831356ec&u=895efa2d9d693bc855d772fe5&id=72b1944940

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKRFiMQUmno

In this month’s newsletter video, Brenna shares July resources focu...

06/11/2026

Retirement planning is often framed around one big question: “Do I have enough?”

That question matters. But it’s not the only one.

In retirement, many accomplished professionals find themselves navigating something unfamiliar: becoming a beginner again. After decades of building expertise, saving diligently, and having a clear professional identity, retirement can ask you to experiment, learn, spend differently, and redefine what a meaningful day looks like.

We were glad to contribute to this Kiplinger article on why retirement often requires a beginner’s mind — and why the clients who thrive are often the ones willing to approach this next chapter with curiosity, structure, and permission to enjoy what they’ve built.

You can read the full article here: https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/happy-retirement/from-expert-to-amateur-why-retirement-demands-a-beginners-mind

You spent decades mastering your career, hobbies and savings. Now comes the hard part: learning how to be a novice all over again.

06/01/2026

Many people think of financial planning as investments, retirement projections, and tax strategies.

But some of the biggest challenges families face happen in the quieter moments: finding important documents during a health event, locating passwords, understanding benefits, or helping aging parents navigate financial decisions.

In this month's newsletter, we're exploring what we think of as the quiet side of planning, including:

• A The New York Times feature we contributed to on organizing important documents with Nokbox: Organizing for your Next of Kin
• A thoughtful piece on aging parents and money conversations
• A guide to understanding your annual Oregon PERS statement
• A new plain-English resource on common trust structures

You can read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/collectivewealthplanning/june2026newsletter



https://youtu.be/bPH6ohqXpzY

In this month’s update, founder Brenna Baucum, CFP® shares a few th...

05/14/2026

One of the less glamorous — but most meaningful — parts of financial planning is helping families prepare for the unexpected.

Collective Wealth Planning founder Brenna Baucum, CFP® was recently quoted in The New York Times Wirecutter article sharing her experience with Nokbox: Organizing for your Next of Kin, a tool designed to help loved ones access important financial and personal information during difficult times.

No one wants to think about emergencies, illness, or death. But a little organization today can spare the people you love a tremendous amount of stress later.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-original-nokbox-review/

Doing what we can today to make tomorrow a little easier for the people we care about — that’s at the heart of thoughtful financial planning.

“Getting your affairs in order” sounds like a terrible chore. This estate management system makes it much easier (and even more enjoyable) than you might fear.