Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective

A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.

<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/new-study-challenges-the-most-popular-myth-about-aging-11632735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Study Challenges the Most Popular Myth About Aging | Newsweek</a>



It’s a commonly held belief that declines in physical and mental abilities are a natural part of aging, but new research is challenging that notion. According to researchers at Yale University, improving with age is common and mindset may have a lot to do with it.



<a href="https://www.cpr.org/2026/03/12/state-budget-medicaid-cuts-caregivers-disability-services/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Impact of State Budget Cuts Gets Real as Lawmakers Start Trimming Medicaid Programs | CPR News</a>



Medicaid spending is on the chopping block as legislators work to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the State budget. The Joint Budget Committee is recommending cuts to caregiver hours and some services, since Medicaid is a large and growing portion of the budget. The full legislature will have to approve any cuts to Medicaid or other services.



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-scams-robocalls-protect-fraud-8e41d082dcdfd4648a2082a3464d1871" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tax Scams Are on the Rise. Here’s What to Know. | The Associated Press</a>



The Internal Revenue Service says it’s seen an increase in scam activity this tax season. The scammers often use threatening phone calls, emails, and text messages to trick people into providing personal information. Officials say scammers are also increasingly using artificial intelligence to try to fool their victims.



<a href="https://401kspecialistmag.com/average-retirement-savings-by-state-2026/?amp=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">15 States with Most, 5 States with Least Retirement Savings | 401k Specialist</a>



Colorado is doing better than a lot of other states when it comes to setting aside money for retirement. According to a new ranking from SmartAsset, Colorado tied with California and Ohio for 10th place overall, with median savings of $100,000 in tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s. The analysis didn’t include defined benefit plans or Social Security benefits.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Study Challenges Beliefs About Healthy Aging

<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hopes-to-boost-retirement-savings-for-private-sector-workers-2026-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How Relief for the 40 Million Americans Without a Retirement Account Could Work | Business Insider</a>



President Trump announced a plan to provide retirement savings accounts for Americans who don’t have access to a retirement plan through work. The accounts are expected to function similarly to the Thrift Savings Plan available to federal government workers.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/27/average-irs-tax-refund.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Average IRS Tax Refund is Up 10.2%, Based on Early Filing Data | CNBC</a>



Tax season is well underway with millions of Americans already filing their annual tax returns. Many taxpayers are receiving larger refunds this year, according to the IRS, with the average refund coming out to $3,804 for individual filers.



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/work-career-aging-caregiver-benefits-1f287e40a206e1a7f0012b5146b81713" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As the US Population Ages, More Employees are Seeking Caregiver Benefits at Work | The Associated Press</a>



Caring for an aging parent or other family member is a challenge many American workers face, and it’s starting to influence workplace benefits. Some employers are starting to offer paid time off for caregiving, allowing employees to handle family responsibilities without having to use other types of leave or take unpaid absences.



<a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/retirement-myths-how-to-plan-for-the-reality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 Retirement Myths to Leave Behind (and How to Start Planning for the Reality) | Kiplinger</a>



If you’re nearing retirement, you may be starting to envision what your life—and your expenses—will look like after you stop working full-time. A professional financial adviser shares some common misconceptions about retirement-related topics such as taxes and budgeting.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: How New Retirement Accounts With Federal Match Would Work

<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/retirement-social-security-savings-us-workers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Typical U.S. Worker Has $955 Saved for Retirement, Report Finds | CBS News</a>



A new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) found that many American workers still lack access to retirement plans at work, hindering their ability to save for retirement. The median savings for all workers is just $955, according to NIRS.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2026/02/03/congress-extends-medicare-telehealth-coverage-for-two-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Coverage For Two Years | Forbes</a>



President Trump signed into law a bill that temporarily extends telehealth coverage for retirees enrolled in traditional Medicare. The bill extends virtual care coverage through the end of 2027. All of <a href="https://www.copera.org/retirees/health-benefits-peracare">PERACare’s</a> Medicare Advantage plans include virtual visits at no additional cost.



<a href="https://www.thestreet.com/retirement/elon-musk-retirement-advice-experts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Elon Musk Says Stop Saving for Retirement: Experts Call It &#8216;Nonsense&#8217;&nbsp;| TheStreet</a>



Billionaire Elon Musk recently declared that saving for retirement will one day be obsolete. While discussing the topic on a podcast, Musk predicted AI and robotics will usher in an age of prosperity that will eliminate the need to set aside money for the future. But retirement experts say not so fast—saving and planning for retirement are more important than ever, and Musk’s vision of the future is anything but certain.



<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/older-patients-aging-geriatricians-goog_l_6984d80be4b04d5037ef2e76" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geriatricians Share Signs Of Good Aging | HuffPost Life</a>



Everyone has their own definition of what it means to age well, but doctors say there are a few key factors that can help ensure we stay happy and healthy as we get older. Here are some signs that you’re setting yourself up for success in your older years.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Retirement Plans Out of Reach for Many Workers

<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/09/retirement-will-take-a-miracle.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fewer People Think Retirement Will ‘Take a Miracle,’ Report Finds. But Inflation Worries Persist | CNBC</a>



A recent survey found Americans are feeling more optimistic about retirement. The survey found that 21% of respondents felt like it would take “a miracle” to enjoy a secure retirement, down from more than 40% who said so in 2021. The survey also found generational differences in expected retirement age, with millennials planning to retire in their early 60s and baby boomers who are not yet retired expecting to work until 70.



<a href="https://www.napa-net.org/news/2025/8/theyre-back--congress-returns-but-will-we-see-any-retirement-legislation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">They’re Back — Congress Returns, But Will We See Any Retirement Legislation? | National Association of Plan Advisors</a>



Congressional lawmakers are back at work following the summer recess. There’s a long list of legislative issues to tackle, including federal spending. Here are some of the retirement-related issues that lawmakers might take up this session.



<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-assesses-162-million-in-penalties-over-false-tax-credit-claims-tied-to-social-media" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IRS Assesses $162 Million in Penalties over False Tax Credit Claims Tied to Social Media | Internal Revenue Service</a>



Be careful where you get your tax advice—the IRS says it’s collected $162 million in penalties from thousands of people who fell for fraudulent tax return tips on social media. Officials say they’ve seen a significant increase in fraudsters posing as experts online and encouraging people to claim tax credits they’re not actually eligible for.



<a href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/as-falling-deaths-rise-for-older-adults-how-home-safety-can-make-a-difference" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Falling Deaths Rise for Older Adults, How Home Safety Can Make a Difference | Denver7</a>



Taking a fall can be increasingly dangerous as we age, and government statistics show an increase in fatal falls in recent years. Many of those falls happen at home, and a little bit of preventive maintenance to remove potential hazards can go a long way in making a home safer for its aging residents.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Americans More Optimistic About Retirement, Survey Finds

<a href="https://www.denver7.com/follow-up/state-unveils-10-year-plan-to-address-needs-among-colorados-growing-older-population" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State Unveils 10-Year Plan to Address Colorado&#8217;s Growing Older Population | Denver7</a>



The State of Colorado has released a strategic plan that aims to address the needs of older citizens over the next decade. The plan incorporates five goals to support the well-being of aging Coloradans, from improving access to health care and other services to boosting economic security.



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/14/social-security-90-anniversary-future-changes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Security Turns 90. Here’s What Could Happen to Future Benefits | CNBC</a>



Ninety years ago this month, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating the Social Security program that has become a vital source of income for many aging and disabled Americans. As the program hits a major milestone, there are multiple efforts underway to improve Social Security’s finances so it will remain secure going forward.



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-401k-private-equity-retirement-plans-d7fdae32d904c9454f4d4eb0b12b88ef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Opens the Door for Private Equity and Crypto as 401(k) Options | AP News</a>



President Trump signed an executive order that will allow employer-based retirement plans like 401(k)s to include private assets—such as private equity, cryptocurrency, or real estate—in their investment offerings. It’s not yet clear what those types of funds might look like, and experts say workers will want to carefully consider risks and costs associated with such assets.



<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/most-americans-know-having-a-will-is-important-yet-less-than-a-third-have-one-11791679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Most Americans Know Having a Will is Important, Yet Less Than a Third Have One | Investopedia</a>



A recent survey found the number of Americans who have created a will has declined, despite a majority of people understanding the importance of having one. Fewer than a quarter of people who responded to the Caring.com survey said they have a will, down from 33% in 2022.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Colorado Releases 10-Year Plan on Aging

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-trust-fund-trump-74e13292f510739724a555d7ded7c1a3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medicare and Social Security Go-Broke Dates Pushed Up | AP News</a>



This year’s annual assessment of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds found the programs could be forced to begin cutting benefits even sooner than previously expected, if the government doesn’t take action. Social Security is expected to deplete its trust funds one year sooner than last year’s estimate, while Medicare’s hospital insurance fund is expected to run out of cash three years earlier.



<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/fed-set-hold-rates-steady-middle-east-crisis-tariffs-cloud-outlook-2025-06-18/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Keeps Rates Steady but Pencils in Two Cuts by End of 2025 | Reuters</a>



The Federal Reserve is cautiously keeping its key interest rate unchanged for the time being due to concerns over inflation ratcheting back up. Chair Jerome Powell said that while inflation has been low in recent months, it’s possible prices will rise as the full effects of tariffs are realized. However, experts say rate cuts later this year are still possible.



<a href="https://www.planadviser.com/workers-dont-expect-succeed-saving-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Workers Don’t Expect to Succeed in Saving for Retirement | PLANADVISER</a>



If you ask people if their generation has it harder than their parents’ generation, 8 times out of 10 they’ll say “yes,” according to a recent report by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. The survey found that across generations, Americans say they’re struggling to meet their financial needs and save for retirement. The good news is employer-based retirement plans are a vital part of retirement success and more than three-quarters of Generation Z say they’re saving for retirement.



<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/16/aging-in-colorado-housing-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Colorado Ages, Seniors are Colliding with the Housing Crisis | The Colorado Sun</a> 



The Colorado Sun continues its series on aging in Colorado with an article that explores how the state’s seniors—the fastest-growing demographic group—are finding themselves dealing with the housing affordability crisis as they search for homes that meet their needs.







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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Social Security, Medicare Finances Worsen

<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/20/colorado-aging-demographics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado’s Median Age is Nearing 40 — and Getting Older. Here’s What That Looks Like. | The Colorado Sun</a>



Colorado has long been one of the “youngest” states in the country as measured by median age of its population, but that’s changing as birth rates and migration into the state have declined. The Centennial State’s median age has crept up to 37.9 years old, which is still one of the lowest in the nation, but our state is now aging at the third-fastest rate.



<a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/401ks/new-bill-would-lower-age-to-contribute-to-401k-to-18-from-21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Bill Would Lower Age to Contribute to 401(k)s to 18 from 21. What You Need to Know | Kiplinger</a>



Federal lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that seeks to expand access to employer-based retirement plans like 401(k)s for younger workers. The Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act would lower the minimum required age to 18 from 21 and make it easier for employers to offer plans to those workers.



<a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/fda-approves-alzheimers-blood-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What to Know about the First FDA-Cleared Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease | AARP</a>



The Food and Drug Administration has for the first time given approval to a blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s traditionally involves brain imaging and invasive procedures like lumbar punctures, so doctors hope a simple blood test will make it easier to identify the disease. &nbsp;



<a href="https://www.realsimple.com/signs-you-are-aging-well-11739429" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">5 Subtle Signs You’re Aging Well, According to Longevity Experts | Real Simple</a>



We hear a lot about aging and some of the health concerns and other issues that can arise, but how do you know you’re aging well? Here are five things that medical experts say are good signs you’re living your best life as you get older.



News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Colorado is Getting Older Faster

<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/when-will-i-get-my-2025-tax-refund/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will the Expected IRS Staff Cuts Delay my 2025 Tax Refund? | CBS News</a></h2>



The federal government’s downsizing efforts have extended to the Internal Revenue Service, where thousands of positions are expected to be cut in the middle of the busy tax season. While most taxpayers likely won’t encounter any trouble with their returns, there may be delays for anyone who needs to reach out to the IRS for customer service.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandoonan/2025/03/03/the-unsung-economic-engine-retiree-pension-spending/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unsung Economic Engine: Retiree Pension Spending | Forbes</a></h2>



An annual analysis from the National Institute on Retirement Security highlights the significant contributions retirees make to local and national economies. Their pension spending results in $1.5 trillion in economic output and supports 7.1 million jobs nationwide, according to NIRS. On a more local level, PERA <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/measuring-the-impact-of-4-5b-in-annual-retirement-benefits-in-colorado" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paid $4.55 billion in benefits</a> to more than 114,000 retirees who lived in Colorado 2023, resulting in $7.1 billion in economic output and supporting more than 28,000 jobs.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://401kspecialistmag.com/401k-millionaire-ranks-grew-27-in-2024-fidelity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">401(k) Millionaire Ranks Up 27% in 2024, Says Fidelity | 401k Specialist</a></h2>



Retirement plan recordkeeper Fidelity says its data show a significant increase in the number of people with over a million dollars saved for retirement last year. The company noted a 27% increase in 401(k) “millionaires” over the course of 2024, most of them members of the Baby Boom generation and Generation X. On average, they’ve been saving for 26 years and contribute 17% of their income to their retirement accounts, according to Fidelity.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/more-older-adults-living-disability-free-lives-and-thats-extremely-encouraging-researcher-says/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">More Older Adults Living Disability-Free Lives, and That’s ‘Extremely Encouraging,’ Researcher Says | McKnight&#8217;s Senior Living</a></h2>



We know people tend to live longer than they did generations ago, and new research sheds some light on the quality of that extended lifespan. A recent analysis finds that the percentage of older Americans who say they’re living without a disability has increased in recent years—reaching 65% in 2017.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: Will IRS Staff Reductions Affect Tax Filing Season?

<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2024/12/10/colorado-economic-forecast-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Experts Predict What the Economy Will Look Like in 2025 | The Colorado Sun</a></h2>



Every year, local experts have the difficult task of taking stock of the state economy and predicting what a new year will bring. For 2025, experts say the state’s population continues to grow, albeit slower than in years past. And that slower growth rate could have a ripple effect on the job market as employers struggle to find enough employees to fill open positions.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-many-retirees-to-make-required-withdrawals-from-retirement-plans-by-year-end-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IRS Urges Many Retirees to Make Required Withdrawals by Year-End Deadline | Internal Revenue Service</a></h2>



If you’re retired and you have savings in a defined contribution plan like a 401(k), 457, or IRA, you’re likely required to make minimum required distributions (RMDs) by the end of each year. The IRS sent out a notice reminding retirees of the deadline and new rules enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/quiz-test-your-financial-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quiz: Test Your Financial Literacy | Kiplinger</a></h2>



How would you rate your financial literacy? Believe it or not, three simple questions can help you gauge your literacy. If you can correctly answer all three multiple-choice questions, you’re doing better than over half of all Americans.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/real-estate/2024/12/10/how-america-can-age-in-plaec/76826197007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baby Boomers Are Aging, and Most Want to Stay at Home Forever | USA Today</a></h2>



A recently released survey from AARP finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans say they want to stay in their homes and their local communities while they age, but many are unsure they’ll be able to do so. Half of the survey’s respondents said they were not confident their current living situation will meet their needs in the future, and over half of that group said they expect to move.



News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

News You Should Know: How Will Colorado’s Economy Fare in 2025?

<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://money.com/trump-2024-victory-money-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump is the President-Elect. Here’s What It Means for Your Wallet | Money</a></h2>



Former President Donald Trump has won another term in the White House. What does that mean for the economy and the finances of everyday Americans? Here’s what we can likely expect, based on what Trump has said on the campaign trail.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2024/10/23/colorado-hospital-price-lookup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coloradans Can Now Compare Hospital Prices for Specific Procedures, Insurance Plans | The Colorado Sun</a></h2>



The State of Colorado is looking to make it easier for people to shop around for their medical costs. A new website, ColoradoHospitalPrices.com, provides a one-stop shop for searching and comparing costs for various procedures and other medical care at different hospitals. The site also shows what different insurance providers pay for the same procedure. Officials hope the added transparency will help Coloradans lower their costs and increase competition between providers and facilities.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/11/03/new-required-minimum-distribution-2024/76026379007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 New Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules Everyone Should Know for 2024 | USA Today</a></h2>



The end of the year is approaching and so is the deadline for most people to take their annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. There have been some changes to RMD rules in recent years, so make sure you’re up-to-date and don’t face any penalties for not meeting the requirements.



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://fortune.com/well/article/end-of-life-planning-conversation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Discuss End-of-Life Planning with Aging Parents | Fortune Well</a></h2>



Talking about death can be uncomfortable or even taboo, but it’s an important discussion to have with loved ones. Here are some tips for navigating conversations about end-of-life wishes with parents who are getting older.



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News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.

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