The “B” Word: Use a Budget to Jump-Start Your Financial Strategy
Let’s face it: budgets get a bad rap, much of the time. For many of us, the thought of budgeting summons visions of tracking every expense, constantly monitoring spending, and feeling guilty when the numbers don’t match the plan. Maybe that’s why only about 32% of American households follow a monthly budget plan. But the […]
A Year-End Gift for Plan Participants: SECURE 2.0
As part of the $1.7 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that passed Congress just before the holiday break, some major changes are coming for employer-sponsored plans like 401Ks (for-profit businesses) and 403Bs (educational and nonprofit organizations). The SECURE 2.0 (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act of 2022 has gone to President Biden’s desk after […]
Five Years from Retirement: What Firefighter Couples Need to Know
Firefighters, like others who serve alongside colleagues in hazardous professions, depend heavily on the strong bonds of trust that develop over the years spent in the profession. Your fellow firefighters are like family in a way that’s difficult to explain to someone who has never had the experience of working in a similar situation. But […]
Arizona’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System: What’s in It for You
Established in 1968 to “provide uniform, consistent, and equitable statewide retirement programs” for firefighters and law enforcement officers throughout Arizona, including those employed by municipalities and other local government entities, as well as Arizona State Highway Patrol employees. The Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) was created to bring equity and uniformity to the then-widely […]
Forced Retirement: Tips for Public Safety Officers
It’s a scenario no public safety officer wants to face: retiring earlier than you planned, due to injury or illness. Next to facing injury or death in the line of duty, forced retirement is probably one of the worst things that can happen to a dedicated, career-oriented officer. The goal, after all, is to walk […]
Your Law Enforcement Retirement Pension: How Much Is Enough?
Recognizing the sacrifice and dedication of their law enforcement personnel and other public safety servants, most states provide a pension plan designed to benefit those who are retiring after long careers of service to their communities. In the vast majority of those cases (84–90%), public employees—law enforcement, fire safety, other public safety personnel, teachers, government […]
Looking Ahead for Firefighter Couples: A Pre-Retirement Checklist for 2022
Especially for firefighter families and couples, transitioning into retirement requires some careful thought and planning. After all, your career has required you to spend lots of time away from your family while “on call” to protect our homes and neighborhoods. Retirement is going to be a time when you begin spending more time than ever […]
Law Enforcement Officers: Avoid These Financial Mistakes
Most law enforcement officers pride themselves on being in control. And there’s no doubt that the ability to correctly assess a situation and act or react in a way that keeps it under control is a big part of the job. But for too many officers, their financial life is an area that is not […]
Firefighter’s Spouse: What You Need to Know about Your Mate’s Retirement
As the spouse of a firefighter, you already know about the sacrifices required from both of you by your mate’s chosen career: days spent away from family; danger on the job; juggling schedules; and all the rest of it. No doubt, you’re looking forward to your spouse’s retirement, along with opportunities it can bring for […]
