​We are thrilled to announce a series of technology upgrades that are on the horizon and are designed to improve the client experience and overall engagement with StraightLine’s team. We believe that with greater connectivity comes greater opportunity for us to help maximize our clients’ potential to achieve their financial goals. The technological investments we have made are meant to complement the human engagement that is so critical to the advisor/client relationship as we support each and every client’s unique financial journey.

One of the most powerful tools in retirement planning is one I find many clients resist using and that is the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Clients are reluctant to make that shift from a traditional medical plan to the HDHP with an HSA because of the higher out of pocket costs associated with higher deductibles. I find those that do make the shift often wish they had made it sooner once they have had a few years of savings built-up in their HSA and they see the long-term benefit of using the HSA as an additional retirement plan.

Maybe all markets needed was turning the calendar over to November! Stocks and bonds remained highly correlated during a tough three-month stretch, which saw notable declines in both areas. The S&P 500 experienced a 10% correction from the July highs, as the rapid increase in long-term bond yields caused investors to reprice stocks. Then came last week, where the Fed held rates steady, and the October jobs report was perhaps the weakest we have seen all year. This caused bond yields to decline from the highs and stocks to rally. We are hopeful that stocks will continue to rally into year-end as investors price in the likelihood that the Fed has completed this leg of the hiking cycle. Where we go from there remains to be seen though, as much will rely on the data and an uncertain economic outlook.