“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”
– Will Smith
Welcome to the September Edition of Ryan’s Retirement Ramblings – The monthly newsletter that will bring you the latest developments from the qualified plan space & provide updates for the retirement team at Wheeler Retirement Plans.
On A Personal Note…
I’m gonna rock roll all nite and party every day……No truer verse was uttered that would describe the last month on the road. Well maybe not the “party every day” portion. Ha.
I was able to take in two AWESOME shows at the Armory in Minneapolis this past month. First, it was the Black Keys. Patrick and Dan charged through a setlist of their hits over the past 12+ years reminding the audience what Southern, Bluesey rock is here to stay. Not one week after, I found myself back at the Armory for the all sister group Haim. Crowd participation….check. Two hour setlist….check. Their summery rock was evident from the first note of “Gone”. Two thumbs up.
Summer may be over but for those about to rock…..I SALUTE YOU.
Moving Target Dates: Delayed Retirement Realities
For many American workers over 50, retirement timelines have become a moving target, with increasing numbers now planning to stay employed longer due to economic volatility, market uncertainty, and the rising cost of living. Gen Xers, now in their mid-to-late 40s, 50s, and early 60s, are increasingly anxious about their retirement readiness. With median retirement balances of a 55-year-old at $50,000 and confidence in Social Security eroding, some say they simply can’t afford to stop working….
Opening the Door Wider to PE
According to the 2024 DC PLANSPONSOR Benchmarking Report, only 2.2% of plan sponsors include any alternative investments whatsoever within their 401(k)s. That number may soon begin to shift. On August 7, President Trump signed an executive order intended to expand access to private equity (PE) and other alternative assets in retirement plans. Even so, this remains a complex topic for plan sponsors, who must weigh multiple factors before adding PE to their lineup….
Supreme Court Lowers Bar for ERISA Lawsuits
A recent Supreme Court ruling has changed the rules of the game for retirement plan lawsuits — and it could make life more challenging for plan sponsors. On April 17, 2025, the Court issued a unanimous decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University that makes it easier for certain ERISA lawsuits to move forward, potentially leading to more cases, higher litigation costs, and increased settlement pressure….
Participant Corner
Road to Retirement:
Should You Borrow or Keep Driving
Before You Take a Retirement Plan Loan Know the Facts
Your retirement plan may allow you to borrow from your account—but before you do, it’s important to understand how it can impact your future savings. Think of it like a U-turn on your savings highway. It could cost you more time and money than you expect….
Mr. C’s Movie (Show) Review
Horror With Teeth, But Not a Perfect Bite
Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian, returns with Weapons, a haunting puzzle-box mystery about the eerie disappearance of 17 students on the same night, at the same time, from the same classroom. However we learn very early that one boy showed up to class the next day. The movie is told through overlapping perspectives, most notably the teacher Justine (Julia Garner), the one remaining student in class Alex (Cary Christopher), the father of a missing boy Archer (Josh Brolin) and the local cop assigned to the case Paul (Alden Ehrenreich). The plot moves with moments of dark humor, constantly forcing you to question whether this is a horror movie. The director keeps the audience in they dark for 75% of the movie forcing viewers to hypothesize what truly caused the bizarre behavior from the missing kids.
The last quarter of the movie introduces us to the wildly creepy Aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) who has come to live with Alex due to his parents becoming suddenly comatose. From this point on, the body horror is ratched up a notch and the plot lines are put into motion. The audience is let in on the movie’s namesake and chaos ensues. It’s hard to write the review as the real fun in this movie is its reveal.
Still, Weapons is bold, unsettling, and memorable — a step up in scope from Barbarian, even if less precise. It lingers after the credits roll, flaws and all.
On a scale of: “Like It”, “Love It”, or “Gotta Have It”; Weapons isn’t Barbarian but I liked it. The slow building tension throughout the movie may turn some viewers off that were looking for an in-your-face horror movie. The gore filled conclusion left a divisive answer to many of the questions posed over 2 hours. It wasn’t the perfect movie but it’s hard not to walk away impressed with its uniqueness. It will stick with you.