Brad Wethington Financial Advisor

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Monthly Market Insights | June 2026 Monthly Market Insights | June 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq Composite, which rose 15.29 percent in April, tacked on another 8.36 percent. The Standard & Poor...

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

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⚠️ The biggest Social Security mistakes often can’t be undone.

Every year, many retirees make permanent decisions about their benefits without fully understanding the long-term impact.

Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Claiming too early without evaluating lifetime income tradeoffs
• Not coordinating spousal benefits
• Ignoring survivor income planning
• Overlooking how Social Security affects taxes in retirement
• Failing to align claiming strategy with investment withdrawals
• Making emotional decisions based on market headlines

Social Security is one of the few retirement decisions that can directly impact income for the rest of your life.

Taking time to review your options before you file can help you avoid costly surprises later.

If retirement is on your horizon, now is a smart time to make sure your strategy is working for you — not against you.

🎯 If you are within 10 years of retirement, now is the time to build your Social Security strategy.

This decision can impact:

• Retirement income stability
• Investment withdrawal strategy
• Required risk level in your portfolio
• Taxes in retirement
• Survivor income protection

Social Security is too important to treat as an afterthought.

April is a great reminder to review your plan and make sure you are positioned for the retirement you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

If you’ve been meaning to have that conversation — now is a smart time.

⏳ When you claim Social Security matters more than most people realize.

Claiming at 62 vs. waiting until full retirement age…
or even age 70…

can mean a significant difference in lifetime income.

But the right decision depends on:

✔ Health and longevity expectations
✔ Other retirement income sources
✔ Investment portfolio strategy
✔ Tax considerations
✔ Spousal planning
✔ Retirement timing

There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer — only the answer that fits your situation.

A thoughtful review can help you make a confident decision.

📊 April is National Social Security Month

For many retirees, Social Security will be one of the most important sources of retirement income.

Yet surprisingly, many people:

• Don’t know their expected benefit
• Claim too early
• Don’t understand spousal or survivor options
• Miss strategies that could increase lifetime income

Your Social Security decision is not just a filing decision — it’s a retirement strategy decision.

Taking time to review your options can make a meaningful difference in long-term financial security.

Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the biggest retirement choices you’ll face. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some factors to consider:

📌 Are you still working?
📌 How long do you expect to live based on health and family history?
📌 How do early or delayed benefits fit into your retirement picture?

This guide walks through the basics to help you start thinking about your options.

U.S. stocks slipped in Q1 as AI disruption fears and Middle East tensions rattled investors. The S&P 500 fell 4.63%, the Nasdaq dropped 7.11%, and the Dow lost 3.58% — though six of eleven S&P 500 sectors still finished in the green, led by Energy's standout 37.91% gain. As the weather warms up and spring gets us outside, it turns out Americans are right there with you — over 181 million U.S. residents participated in outdoor recreation in 2024. Check out this month's by-the-numbers for more on the outdoor recreation economy.

Quarterly Market Insights | April 2026 Quarterly Market Insights | April 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks fell in the first quarter amid concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt certain industries and geopolitical issues that unsettled investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.58 percent while the Standard &...