👋 Financial Breakaway Newsletter | May 2025
Welcome to the May edition of the Financial Breakaway Newsletter!
The spring thaw hasn’t just hit the forecast —it’s showing signs in the markets, too. After a choppy Q1, April & May brought a modest rebound with strong earnings from tech and consumer sectors. Inflation readings are cooling slightly, and investors are watching closely for the Fed’s next move.
Whether you're in retirement or growing your nest egg mid-career, now is a great time to review your plan, rebalance your accounts, and reinforce your long-term strategy. Volatility isn’t gone—it never is—but opportunity is still on the table for those who stay proactive.
Newsletter Highlights
📈 Retirement: Should You Delay Social Security in 2025?
🛠️ Mid-Career: How to Build an Investment Plan That Works in All Seasons
📚 Short Shifts: Fresh reads and tools for smarter financial decisions
❓❓QUIZ TIME❓❓:
Which of these is a common investing bias that causes people to hold losing investments too long?
A.) Recency biasB.) Loss aversion
C.) Confirmation bias
D.) Anchoring
*Answer below
• Retirement •
What I’ve Been Reading…
Should You Still Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security?
kplinger.com
Delaying Social Security benefits can increase monthly payouts by up to 8% annually after full retirement age. This strategy may make sense for those with longer life expectancies or other retirement income sources. However, the article notes that claiming early could be beneficial if you need the income sooner, have health concerns, or prefer the flexibility of accessing your own savings first.
My thoughts on this article... For many, delaying benefits leads to greater lifetime income—especially if you expect to live into your 80s or beyond. But it’s not always the right answer and if you’ve ever talked to me about social security you know my thoughts on this :) If you haven’t reach out I’d love to talk map out the impact on your broader retirement plan.
• Mid-Career •
What I’ve Been Reading…
This is What Real Market Uncertainty Looks Like
morningstar.com
Markets in 2024 and 2025 are being pulled in different directions—strong economic data on one hand, and persistent inflation and geopolitical tension on the other. This article unpacks why investors are struggling to interpret mixed signals, and how uncertainty has become the norm rather than the exception.
My thoughts on this article...Uncertainty isn’t new, but how we respond to it matters. The goal isn’t to predict the future, it’s to prepare for it. Let’s refocus on what you can control: diversification, time horizon, and decision-making in moments of doubt.
• Short Shifts •
- 📊 Don’t Buy Into This Easy Fix for Stock-Market Craziness | Wallstreetjournal.com
- 🏠 Why Home Equity Is Becoming a Key Retirement Asset | Marketwatch.com
- 📉 How to Keep Your Cool in a Volatile Market | Morningstar.com
Quiz Answer:
A.)Loss Aversion
Source:investopedia.com