Hanner Financial Services, Inc.

Resilient growth, rising inflation trends, and powerful earnings continue to shape the market backdrop. Dive into the Q3 Quarterly Outlook to explore what’s driving these forces and what they could mean for portfolios in the months ahead. Click to learn more:

2026 Third Quarter Market Outlook Cetera Investment Management is pleased to present its Q3 2026 Market Outlook: “Steady Ground, Rising Stakes.” In this quarter’s outlook, we examine a market…

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source:

CAPTCHA scams are surging as hackers exploit a security tool Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick users into enabling malware and scam notifications Security experts warn the ta

Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.

Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.

A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.

For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.


Source:

Fed officials see rate hike ahead if inflation stays elevated, minutes show A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.

Extended care is one of the biggest wild cards in retirement.

Costs vary by location, care type, and health needs—but they've all been rising faster than many realize.

These five insights can help you understand what drives costs and why they often catch retirees by surprise.



Sources:
CareScout, Cost of Care Report, July–December 2024
AALTCI, Long-Term Care Insurance Statistics & Data 2025
EBRI/Greenwald, 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, April 2025

In honor of Memorial Day, Hanner Financial Services Inc. will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

Heads up for Hanner Financial Services clients! The East side parking lot and entrance to the South (25th Street) is unavailable today. You are still able to use the West side entrance (Taylor Road) and parking spots. Thank you for your understanding and have a great Friday!

A growing number of Americans are carrying credit card balances, highlighting ongoing financial pressure for many households.

Recent data shows that about 50% of credit card holders—roughly 111 million people—currently carry debt, marking a notable increase over the past several years.

At the same time, borrowing costs remain elevated. Average credit card interest rates are now above 23%, making it more expensive for balances to grow over time.

Some households are adjusting by cutting back on discretionary spending, delaying larger purchases, or relying more heavily on credit to cover everyday expenses.

These trends reflect how shifts in costs, interest rates, and income can influence day-to-day financial decisions across a wide range of households.


Source:

Record share of Americans carry credit card debt, can't pay monthly bills About 111 million Americans are carrying credit card balances, a 17% increase in five years, new research shows.

Some high-earning couples may currently receive $100,000 or more per year in Social Security benefits, based on lifetime earnings and when benefits begin.

A new policy proposal suggests capping those benefits—potentially limiting annual payments to $100,000 for couples and $50,000 for individuals—as one way to address long-term funding challenges.

The idea is one of several being discussed as policymakers consider how to support the program’s future. Current projections indicate that Social Security trust funds may face shortfalls in the coming decade.

It’s important to note that this is not a finalized change, but part of a broader conversation around how to balance sustainability, benefits, and contributions over time.

As discussions continue, proposals like this highlight the range of approaches being considered to address the program’s long-term outlook.


Source:

Social Security benefits can top $100,000 a year for high-earning couples. A new proposal would cap them High-earning couples who consistently pay the maximum into Social Security during their careers stand to get the biggest benefits in retirement.