Hello,

What makes you most anxious about retirement?

If you’re like most people planning for retirement, you’re worried about finances and not having enough money to support yourself when you retire.¹

Financial concerns aren’t the top worry for today’s retirees, though.¹

They’re far more nervous about health issues than money.

That’s just one disconnect between what we think we know about retired life versus what it’s actually like living it. 

Firsthand experiences can be eye-opening.

And they don’t have to be our experiences to impart lasting life lessons.

When it comes to retirement and making the best possible plans, you don’t have to do it by trial and error.

Learning from those who’ve “been there and done that” can teach us some deeper lessons about retirement without the growing pains it took to gain that wisdom.

Those subtler retirement lessons are the focus of this month’s Visual Insights Newsletter.

Click here to see it!

Retirement is so much more than a milestone.

The better we understand what life in retirement looks like, the better we can be at planning for the retirement of our dreams.

Go ahead and click here to see what today’s retirees would do-over if they could go back in time.

Sincerely,

Your Eagle Wealth Team

The Week on Wall Street

Stocks edged lower last week despite a powerful end-of-week rally.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.48 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 0.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.60 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped 0.90 percent.^2,3

Selling Then Buying

Stocks were under pressure right out of the gate on Monday for no apparent reason other than worries over the loss of year-end momentum. By the end of trading on Monday, markets recovered some losses, but the selling picked up again on Tuesday.^4,5

After being closed for the New Year’s holiday, stocks opened higher for the first trading day of 2025. But sellers gained the upper hand by the end of trading. On Friday, Investors perked up with tech stocks leading a recovery rally that erased most of the week’s losses.^6,7

Megacap's Mega Influence

Megacap tech stocks have captured many headlines over the last two years as the S&P 500 posted double-digit returns (24 percent for 2023 and 23 percent for 2024).

And for a good reason—megacap tech stocks were doing most of the work. For example, during the past 12 months of trading, more than half (53 percent) of the S&P 500’s return can be attributed to the Magnificent Seven–the seven megacap tech companies that most investors would consider household names.⁸

<sup>Source: YCharts.com, January 4, 2025. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, December 27, to Friday, January 3. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Any companies mentioned are for informational purposes only, and this should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of their securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance.</sup>

<sup>1. MassMutual, 2024 [URL: https://www.massmutual.com/global/media/shared/doc/2024_massmutual_retirement_happiness_study.pdf]

2. The Wall Street Journal, January 3, 2025</sup>

^{3. Investing.com, January 3, 2025}

^{4. CNBC.com, December 30, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, December 31, 2024}

^{6. CNBC.com, January 2, 2025}

^{7. CNBC.com, January 3, 2025}

^{8.  The Wall Street Journal, December 31, 2024}

^{Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.}

^{The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.}

^{The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.}

^{The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.}

^{U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.}

^{International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.}

^{Please consult your financial professional for additional information.}

^{This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.  Copyright 2025 FMG Suite.}