Tax Policy - Most states offer at least one tax break to retirees [1] - Some states exempt multiple forms of retirement income [1] - Eight states have no income tax at all [1]

Core Insights - French retirees now earn more than working-aged adults, contrasting with trends in the U.S. and U.K. where retirees struggle financially [1][2] - The average pensioner in France earned approximately €1,626 gross per month ($1,926) at the end of 2022, which is about 2% more than the average income of working adults [2] - Over the past five decades, median income for French retirees has increased by over 160%, while working-aged citizens saw a 100% increase [4] Economic Context - French retirees benefit from a government pension plan that allows them to receive up to 50% of their annual average earnings [5] - The average yearly income for pensioners is based on the top 25 earning years, with a requirement of at least 42 years of work to qualify for the full state pension [6] - Since 2001, France has increased its GDP spending on old-age benefits and healthcare by about 2.9%, compared to a peer average of just over 1.5% [7]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend investing for retirees, particularly those of traditional retirement age, highlighting a focus on quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs [1] - The author expresses a long-term investment strategy, aiming to supplement retirement income through dividends within the next 5-7 years [1] - There is a goal to assist lower and middle-class workers in building investment portfolios that consist of high-quality, dividend-paying companies [1] Group 2 - The article does not disclose any current stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, nor does it plan to initiate any within the next 72 hours [2] - The opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and are not influenced by any business relationships with the companies mentioned [2] - The article serves educational purposes and encourages readers to conduct their own due diligence regarding investments [2]

Retirement Planning & Investment - 24% of retirement plans are considering adding alternative assets in the next year to enhance diversification and offset downside risk and inflation [1][2] - Adding alternative assets has the potential to enhance retirement income by about four years or more [2] - The average 55-year-old American has less than $50,000 saved, which is woefully short of recommended savings [2][3][4] - It's crucial for individuals to seek professional financial advice to navigate their personal retirement journey, considering their risk tolerance and retirement vision [4][8][9][10] - Over 11,000 Americans are turning 65 every day, creating a retirement challenge as people are living longer but not necessarily saving more [5][6] Credential Financial's Role - Credential Financial sees the retirement challenge as a significant opportunity to provide solutions, advice, and tools to meet customers where they are [6][7] - Credential Financial has 3,000 financial advisors available to help people navigate their financial journey [4] - Credential Financial emphasizes that it's never too late to seek financial advice, regardless of how prepared individuals feel [8][9][10] Life Insurance - There is a $12 trillion life insurance gap in the country, indicating a need for greater awareness of its importance in financial portfolios [12] - Life insurance is viewed as the foundation of a financial house, providing protection in the event of an early death and building generational wealth [11][12] - Credential Financial is the largest life insurer in the country and leans into life insurance awareness and education [10][11][12]

Core Insights - Almost all retirees in the United States rely on Social Security retirement benefits as a significant income source, but these benefits may not meet their financial needs [1][10] - The average Social Security benefit varies by age, with higher benefits for older retirees, reflecting the impact of delaying claims [4][9] - Social Security benefits are designed to replace only about 40% of pre-retirement income, while retirees typically need to replace around 80% to 90% of their income [11][12] Summary by Sections - **Average Social Security Benefit** - The average benefits for retirees increase with age, with specific amounts listed for ages 62 to 70 [8] - As of June 30, the average benefits are as follows: $1,377 at age 62, increasing to $2,188 at age 70 [8] - **Income Replacement** - Social Security is not intended to be the sole source of income for retirees, as it only replaces a portion of their earnings [11] - The benefits formula is progressive, favoring lower earners, which means higher earners may receive a larger benefit but still insufficient for living expenses [12]

Group 1 - Social Security provides essential support by lifting millions out of poverty and serving as a primary source of retirement income for many individuals [1] - The program includes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) designed to help retirees keep pace with inflation [1] Group 2 - The expected COLA for 2026 is around 2.7%, slightly higher than the 2.5% increase in 2025, with historical increases often below 3% [4] - The average monthly Social Security retirement benefit was $2,007 as of July, translating to approximately $24,000 annually; a 2.7% COLA would increase this to $2,061, adding $54 per month or $648 annually [4] Group 3 - Social Security's COLAs are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which may not accurately reflect the spending patterns of retirees [5] - A more suitable measure for retirees could be the CPI-E, which better accounts for expenses like healthcare [5] Group 4 - The Social Security program is facing financial challenges, with projections indicating that by 2034, only 81% of benefits may be payable due to a shift from surplus to deficit [8] - The future of COLAs in relation to potentially reduced benefits remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether they will apply to the full benefits or the reduced amounts [8]

Retirement Planning - Explores expat havens for retirees seeking to live comfortably on a budget [1] - Suggests locations where one can live well for under $2,000 per month [1]

Asset allocation strategies can help ensure that inflation doesn't eat into your retirement income. Here's how to balance income and growth needs in retirement. https://t.co/wUJQklw5wK ...

Retirement Planning - The report highlights three expat havens where individuals can potentially live comfortably on a retirement income of less than $2,000 per month [1] Cost of Living - The focus is on locations offering a lower cost of living, enabling retirees to stretch their retirement income further [1] Investment Opportunity - The report suggests exploring opportunities in international locations to optimize retirement finances [1]

Retirement Planning - Expat havens offer a way to stretch retirement income [1] - Some locations allow retirees to live comfortably for less than $2,000 per month [1] Lifestyle - The report suggests retirees can live "the good life" for less in certain expat destinations [1]