- America’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Boom Could Send ESG Stocks Soaring
This year, and next, might see investors start to reap the rewards of Biden's ultimate "green presidency".
In the past few years, we've seen six ESG megatrends on the rise with trillions of dollars being invested into them, from cloud computing and clean water, to finance, resource efficiency and the mega of ESG megatrends--EVs.
read more - US Businesses Face Historic Difficulty Finding Qualified Workers
Remote work is here to stay even amidst rapid reopening
Amid a rapid reopening of the US economy and a huge increase in demand for workers, a new survey from The Conference Board found that businesses are having immense difficulty finding qualified workers. In fact, 80 percent of organizations hiring mostly industry and manual services workers report difficulty finding qualified workers, with 25 percent reporting…
read more - Five Questions You Should Ask Before Accepting Your First Job Offer
Find a company invested in your financial future
Goodbye, college. Hello, 9 to 5. Whether you’re looking for a starter position or aspiring to land your dream job, it’s important to find a company that is invested in your financial future.
read more - Retirement-Readiness, Confidence Differs By Age, Gender
Plan sponsors are concerned by the impact of COVID-19, though many savers feel they are still on track for retirement
A large majority of workers saving for retirement through their employers’ 401(k) plans want options that will help them generate income in retirement, according to the fifth annual DC Pulse Survey from BlackRock.
read more - Kids & Money
Setting new financial literacy standards
The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) has released updated and expanded Kids' Financial Literacy Standards. These new standards remain in alignment with the original core mission of the NFEC's original kids' financial education standards – to improve the quality and enhance the impact of instruction in financial literacy.
read more - How COVID-19 Stress-Tested US Pensions
Optimism, caution mark the ’next steps in pension risk management'
Defined Benefit (DB) pension plans in the US are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic into one of the most favorable policy and market environments they have seen in years – but DB sponsors remain cautious from years of secular headwinds.
read more - Overwhelming Bipartisan Majority Oppose Social Security & Medicare Cuts To Reduce Deficit
Seniors speak in unison: Leave our benefits alone
An AARP survey released today finds that 85% of Americans age 50+ oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the federal budget deficit. The poll shows overwhelming opposition from both Republicans (88%) and Democrats (87%) on cutting Social Security benefits to pay down the deficit. Similarly high proportions of Republicans (86%) and Democrats (87%)…
read more - Employee Burnout Rising As Employers Pull Back On Support For Mental Health Benefits
People are 'still trying to adjust to a situation that is changing constantly'
Employees are more stressed and burned out by work today than they were at the start of the pandemic, and they're increasingly looking to employers for mental health benefits and solutions, according to survey data released today by Headspace for Work.
read more - As Student Debt and College Costs Grow, 529 Plan Awareness Still Lingers
Two-thirds of Americans still cannot identify 529 plans as education savings tools
Following a decade of increasing student debt and rising college tuition, only one third of Americans (36%) can correctly recognize a 529 plan as an education savings tool, according to a recent study conducted by Morning Consult with financial services firm Edward Jones.
read more - First Quarter U.S. Life Insurance Policy Sales Highest Since 1983
Back then, it was UL replacement; Now, it’s increased consumer awareness
Total individual life insurance policy sales increased 11% in the first quarter, compared with first quarter 2020. This is the highest growth in the number of policies sold in a quarter since 1983. New annualized premium also experienced significant growth, up 15% from prior year, according to LIMRA’s First Quarter U.S. Individual Life Insurance Sales…
read more - US Dividends Fall 0.4% In Q1 2021 As One In Ten Companies Cut Payout
Wells Fargo, Boeing, Walt Disney, Occidental Petroleum and Marriott accounted for half of the US dividend cuts by value in Q1
One year after the anniversary of the start of global COVID-19 lockdowns, US dividend payments remained resilient, dropping just 0.4% to $127.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021.
read more - Covid’s Impact On Paid Death Benefits
Q1 data show signs of pandemic-era peak in US life industry
According to a new insurance analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence, death benefits paid by U.S. life insurers surged to a new high on an absolute basis in the first quarter as a resurgence of COVID-19 contributed to adverse mortality for several leading carriers.
read more - Operation ‘Economic Well-Being’
How Prudential teamed up with the VA
to provide service members with the tools needed to attain financial stability
by James Beamesderfer
In March, Prudential launched its first-ever financial wellness partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This collaboration will help Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families improve their economic well-being and financial stability.
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