Aaron Cahill, MBA, CRPC at Voya Financial Advisors

10/15/2026

The S&P 500 has reached 28 new all-time highs in 2026, but history tells an even more interesting story.

Between 2001 and 2006, the S&P 500 didn't reach a single new all-time high. After briefly setting records in 2007, investors waited until 2013 to see another.

Fast forward to more recent years:

📊 2021: 70 all-time highs
📊 2024: 57 all-time highs
📊 2025: 39 all-time highs
📊 2026: 28 all-time highs (through October 6)

So, what can investors learn from this?

Markets are constantly changing. Periods of growth are often followed by volatility, uncertainty, or stretches of little progress.

While it's tempting to react to market headlines, attempting to predict the next market move can be difficult.

The key isn't trying to time the market. It's making sure your financial plan is built to navigate it.

Whether markets are reaching new highs or experiencing downturns, maintaining a disciplined investment strategy aligned with your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance remains important.

Successful financial planning isn't about predicting tomorrow. It's about preparing for it.

10/15/2026

Social Security Announces 3.6% Cost-of-Living Increase for 2027!

The Social Security Administration officially announced that benefits will increase by 3.6% in 2027, compared to the 2.8% adjustment in 2026.

What does this mean for retirees?

For the average Social Security retirement beneficiary, this translates to approximately:

$75 more per month
$900 more per year

The increase will take effect with January 2027 benefit payments and impact nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries.

But here's something important to consider…

While an increase in benefits is welcome news, it doesn't necessarily mean retirees will have more money in their pockets.

Rising healthcare expenses, Medicare premiums, inflation, and taxes can all influence how much of that increase retirees actually keep.

Retirement planning is about more than just how much income you receive. It's about how far that income will go.

10/09/2026

SUNY Oswego Employees, Are You Ready for Retirement?

Retirement planning comes with important decisions, and it's never too early to start preparing!

Join us for an informative workshop focused on retirement income planning, Social Security, pensions, managing risks, and strategies to help you prepare for the retirement you envision.

Marano Room 205
Wednesday, October 21st
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Bring your questions! We'll have an open Q&A throughout the workshop, providing opportunities to discuss the topics that matter most to you. Lunch will be provided. We ask you to let us know in advance if you bring a guest to ensure we have enough food for everyone.

Click the link below to complete your reservation

We look forward to seeing you!

timetap.com

10/09/2026

My Q3 2026 Quarterly Market Letter is officially here!

The third quarter of 2026 brought continued market volatility, rising interest rates, higher energy prices, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Despite these challenges, strong corporate earnings and a resilient economy helped push markets to new highs.

In this edition, we break down the key market trends from the quarter, provide perspective on what drove performance, and share what we're watching as we head into the final quarter of the year.

We're grateful for the continued trust of our clients and community.

You can read my full Quarterly Market Letter below:

As always, if you'd like to discuss how current market conditions may affect your personal financial plan, retirement strategy, or investment portfolio, don't hesitate to reach out.

cahill-financial.com

09/24/2026

Looking forward to spending time with Corning Community College employees this October!

Join Human Resources and other benefit partners for your Open Enrollment on October 22nd. I'll be presenting and available to answer questions about the SUNY retirement benefits and planning.

I'll then be back on campus October 29th from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM for individual meetings and open office hours.

Whether you're just getting started, reviewing your current plan, or looking for guidance on your next steps, we're here to help.

Interested in meeting one-on-one? Reach out directly to schedule a time for October 29th or reserve your meeting today by clicking the link below.

timetap.com

09/22/2026

Liverpool CSD Employees — Are You Maximizing Your Employer Contribution?

As a Liverpool Central School District employee, you may be eligible for an employer contribution based on your base salary:

Teachers Unit
Up to 1.5% of base salary

Teaching Assistants, Teacher Aides & Office Staff (OPLAS)
Up to 1% of base salary

Understanding how the employer contribution works can be an important part of making the most of your retirement benefits.

Have questions or need help getting started?

09/16/2026

For many SUNY employees, retirement isn't just about choosing a date — it's about understanding how all the pieces fit together.

With SUNY Oswego recently announcing a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program, some employees may be facing important financial decisions sooner than expected.

Before making that decision, it's important to understand the bigger picture:

• Pension & retirement income
• Social Security
• 403(b), 457(b) & other retirement accounts
• Healthcare costs
• Taxes
• Long-term income needs
• How an incentive fits into your overall retirement plan

These are significant decisions, and you shouldn't have to navigate them alone.

I work with SUNY employees throughout their careers to help them better understand their benefits, evaluate their options, and build a plan designed to provide confidence around retirement.

If you're considering retirement — now or in the next few years — I'm happy to be a resource.

09/03/2026

Investor Bill Gurley once joked that the reason Silicon Valley has created so much wealth is because it's the city furthest from Washington, D.C.

There's some humor in that, but also an important reminder for investors as we approach the midterm elections.

Since 1974, midterm election years have experienced an average maximum intra-year S&P 500 decline of approximately 18%, compared with 14% during presidential election years and 12% during other years.

That's not a prediction for 2026. It's perspective.

Zoom out even further: from 2009 through August 2026, the S&P 500 compounded at approximately 15% annually—across five presidential terms, both political parties, a pandemic, inflation, geopolitical conflicts and countless unsettling headlines.

Politics matter. But over the long run, businesses, earnings, innovation and economic growth matter too.

As November approaches, the goal shouldn't be to predict the next headline or market move. It should be to make sure your financial plan is prepared for whatever comes next.

Stay informed. Stay diversified. Stay focused on the plan.

08/26/2026

Voya Financial Advisors will be on campus in person to support employees with their 403(b) and ORP-retirement savings plans.

Visiting SUNY Oswego on Wednesday, September 9th, and will be available from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in the Marano Campus Center room 239 for brief, one-on-one meetings.

👉 To reserve your preferred time, please click the link below to reserve your meeting today!

Open to all, especially for those New York State Tier 6 members, your pension is an important foundation—but it's often not designed to fully replace your income in retirement. Supplementing with a 403(b) can help close that gap, provide flexibility, and give you more control over your long-term financial security.

During our time together, we can:
- Get you enrolled in the SUNY-approved 403(b) and/or ORP if you're just getting started.

- Review and service an existing 403(b) and/or ORP to ensure it's working efficiently for you.

- Discuss if consolidating or switching to Voya, so your plan is easier to manage with ongoing local support is right for you.

- Regular check-ins—annually or during major life or career changes—can provide clarity and confidence in your retirement plan.

If you're unable to meet that day but would still like to talk, feel free to reach out directly and we'll find another time that works better with your schedule.

I look forward to meeting you and helping make retirement planning simple and stress-free.

timetap.com

08/14/2026

Important Retirement Update for SUNY Employees

The recently passed New York State Budget brings some positive changes for Tier 6 participants in the SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

Beginning October 1, 2026, employees will be required to contribute less toward the ORP, while SUNY will contribute more toward your retirement.

That's great news—but it also creates a financial planning opportunity.

If your required retirement contribution is going down and your budget allows, consider redirecting some or all of that difference toward your voluntary 403(b) and/or 457.

Think about it this way: you're already accustomed to that money coming out of your paycheck. Instead of allowing the additional take-home pay to gradually become part of your spending, consider putting those dollars back to work for your future.

Even an additional 1% or 2% invested consistently over the course of a career can make a meaningful difference.

The goal isn't simply to contribute less because you're now required to contribute less. It's to ask:

"How can I use this change to put myself in an even stronger position for retirement?"

If you're a SUNY employee and would like to better understand how the new Tier 6 changes impact you—or how your ORP, 403(b), and 457(b) can work together—I'd be happy to help.