KCU Investment & Retirement Services

10/22/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

10/19/2026

Some younger consumers are spending on luxury items even as major milestones feel harder to reach.

An article from The Economic Times explores whether Gen Z spending on items like expensive smartphones, sneakers, and travel may reflect a broader version of the “Lipstick Effect.” 📱👟✈️

The Lipstick Effect describes a pattern where consumers buy smaller luxuries during periods of financial uncertainty, especially when larger purchases feel out of reach.

In this case, the larger purchase is often homeownership.

As housing costs rise, some younger adults may feel that saving for property is increasingly unrealistic. Instead, they may choose purchases that offer more immediate enjoyment, identity, or a sense of progress.

That does not mean every purchase is financially harmful. But it does show how affordability pressures can shape behavior, priorities, and trade-offs.

The broader takeaway: spending decisions often reflect more than impulse. They can also reflect economic realities, delayed milestones, and the ways people look for meaning when traditional markers of success feel further away.


Source:

Financial advisor Prem Soni says Gen Zs spending on Rs 15,000 sneakers, expensive iPhones and foreign holidays may reflect the “Lipstick Effect.” He argues that with homes costing around Rs 3 crore and long-term EMIs, traditional milestones feel increasingly unreachable for young earners. Instea...

10/15/2026

Nearly 30 percent of ultra-high-net-worth families have experienced a cyberattack.
As your digital footprint grows, your security habits must evolve too. Securing your wealth is about more than just monitoring your portfolio. It is about building a proactive approach that covers your entire digital life.

Small steps like freezing your credit or segmenting your home network can significantly reduce your risk. These high-value habits are easy to implement and provide a stronger layer of defense for your family assets.

It may be time to revisit how your digital security fits into your broader financial strategy.
Reach out to your financial professional today to discuss a comprehensive approach to securing your digital wealth.

Sources:
JPMorgan.com, January 23, 2026
Risk-strategies.com, 2025
Toplinecu.com, March 18, 2026
Fidelity.com, 2026

10/12/2026

All branches will be closed today for employee training and the federal holiday. Digital banking is always available.

10/10/2026

This month's chart unpacks where we most commonly go for information. Take a look, and you'll see one source stands out from the rest.

10/08/2026

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.


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

10/05/2026

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.


Source:

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

10/01/2026

The price you see on the shelf may not be the exact amount you pay at checkout.

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel. Depending on the total, that could mean a few cents more or a few cents less.

Paying by credit card may come with another wrinkle. Some retailers and service providers are adding surcharges to help offset card processing costs, which may increase the final price.

That means the same purchase could cost slightly different amounts depending on whether you use cash, debit, or credit.

Before you pay, take a second to compare the total for cash, debit, and credit so you know which option makes the most sense for that purchase.


Source:

More merchants are rounding change for cash purchases to the nearest nickel due to the end of penny production, or adding surcharges to credit card transactions.

09/28/2026

Extended care is one of the biggest wild cards in retirement.

Costs vary by location, care type, and health needs—but they've all been rising faster than many realize.

These five insights can help you understand what drives costs and why they often catch retirees by surprise.



Sources:
CareScout.com, June 2026
AALTCI.org, June 2026
EBRI.org, 2026