Sapphire Wealth Advisory Group

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.

Monthly Market Insights | May 2026 Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results.

💼 If the office had a control tower, it would not be in a corner office.

Administrative Professionals Day is for the people who keep the runway clear, the calendar sane, and the details tight.

In most firms, that role is bigger than a title.

It’s the person who anticipates what is needed before anyone asks.

It’s the person who protects focus, keeps everything on track, and makes sure our clients feel taken care of.

It’s the person who wears five hats and still brings calm to the day.

Grateful for the administrative professionals and the behind-the-scenes leaders who make the work better. 💼

Any guess how much you’ll spend on healthcare costs in retirement?

A 2025 study by Fidelity puts the after-tax cost at about $330k for an average retired couple and $165k for a single person, excluding long-term care.

Did you know…

⚠️ The $330k and $165k estimates are after-tax and do not include long-term care.

⚠️ Healthcare costs have typically risen faster than the average rate of inflation, the Fidelity report showed.

⚠️ Costs can vary by medical conditions and where someone lives, so rules of thumb can miss.

A lot of people underestimate this line item, enough that if you haven’t included assumptions for it in your retirement strategy, you should.

It deserves an in-depth financial conversation.

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 Stocks fell in the first quarter amid concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt certain industries and geopolitical issues that unsettled investors.

💡 Get this—investors working with a financial professional are about half as likely to report high financial stress (Source: Vanguard 2025). That gap makes sense.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and the American Psychological Association has repeatedly found that money is a source of stress for many Americans. 😟

Do any of these questions worry you?

❓ Do I have enough for the retirement I’ve imagined?
❓ Do we have enough to support parents or other family members in need?
❓ What if the markets get choppy?

Clarity does not eliminate uncertainty, but it can help manage the mental load.

CFP® Board research from 2025 also points in the same direction; 49 percent of CFP® clients reported less financial anxiety through an advised relationship.

A good strategy does not promise outcomes. It replaces worry with decisions and decisions with a process that holds up when life changes.

Did you know the typical first-time homebuyer is now 40?

That is why more parents are stepping in, nearly 80 percent of Gen Z homeowners say they received family financial help.

If you are considering helping an adult child buy a home, the key question is usually not “should we help,” it’s “how do we structure it?”

Before money moves, pressure test four things:

➡️ Gift, loan, or shared ownership? Each has different implications.
➡️ Protect your strategy. Help them without creating pressure on your own liquidity and goals.
➡️ Protect the family. Prepare such that you’re protected if life changes or the home is sold.
➡️ Keep it fair. Think ahead about sibling dynamics and future gifts.

Most families are surprised by how many options exist and how different the outcomes can be.

If you have done this, what worked best in your situation?

Did you know that starting in 2026, if you're 50 or older with prior year wages over $150k, you must place catch-up contributions to a Roth IRA account?

That’s a big change, and here are 5 things you need to know:

1️⃣ This applies to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) plans.
2️⃣ When catch-up contributions are put into a Roth account, you pay taxes on that money today, but qualified withdrawals and earnings can be tax-free later if requirements are met.
3️⃣ The 2026 catch-up limit is $8,000 for 50+, and a “super catch-up” limit of $11,250 may apply for ages 60 to 63 if the plan allows.
4️⃣ Regular contributions can still be elected as traditional pre-tax or Roth when a plan offers both options, while catch-up contributions may be Roth-only for those who meet the wage threshold.
5️⃣ The threshold is based on wages from the year before, specifically prior year F**A wages, so 2025 wages determine 2026 treatment.

The change eliminates what used to be a choice. For people with higher taxable income approaching retirement, this affects the approach to contribution timing and broader Roth conversion strategies.

Let’s talk if you have questions about how this could impact you. Your tax, legal, or accounting professional may also have insights.

Remember, with most retirement accounts, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. Roth accounts are the exception. Withdrawal penalties may apply if you take the money before age 59½. Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after the account holder reaches age 59½.

Tax legislation can be complex, but its impact is often concentrated in a handful of lines.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act highlights several changes that can impact household decisions in 2026, especially in high-tax states.

Key Facts to Know:

1️⃣ The State and Local Tax (SALT) cap: Increased to $40,000, begins to phase out above $500,000 of income, then reverts to $10,000 in 2030.
2️⃣ Standard Deduction: Made permanent and increased to $16,100 single and $32,200 joint, indexed for inflation after 2025.
3️⃣ Estate and Gifting: Lifetime exclusion increases to $15 million per person and $30 million for couples, indexed for inflation.
4️⃣ Charitable Giving: A permanent charitable deduction returns for non-itemizers, plus new limits and thresholds for itemizers, including a 0.5 percent Adjusted Gross Income floor and a cap for top bracket households.

When rules change, households that take a proactive approach and coordinate with their tax, legal, and accounting professionals may have a better understanding of how new rules affect them. 📌

Stocks were mixed in February as AI disruption concerns and escalating geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 slipped 0.87% and the Nasdaq fell 3.38%, while the Dow edged up 0.17%. Canada’s S&P/TSX advanced 7.57%. As attention turns to the Fed’s March meeting and its updated Summary of Economic Projections, markets will be watching closely for signals on the path ahead. From 73% of the world’s maple syrup produced in Canada to a \$1.64 billion global market, this month’s by-the-numbers highlights the industry behind one of North America’s most iconic products.

Monthly Market Insights | March 2026 U.S. stocks struggled in February amid fears that artificial intelligence would disrupt a wide swath of industries, unsettling investors. Late in the month, geopolitical concerns weighed on the market amid tensions in the Middle East.

What do 5, 45, and 59 have to do with Women’s History Month?

There are 3 numbers that should shape how women think about personal finances:

💡 5: Women live about five years longer on average, which can materially change retirement and healthcare preparation.
💡 45: Women are on track to control as much as 45 percent of investable assets in the U.S. and Europe by 2030, per a 2025 study by McKinsey & Company.
💡 59: The average age of widowhood is about 59, meaning many women become the primary financial decision maker earlier than expected.

A simple checklist that helps:

✅ Confirm titling, beneficiaries, and key documents reflect reality today
✅ Build liquidity for flexibility during transitions
✅ Stress test the strategy for longevity, healthcare, and single-income scenarios

Bottom line for this month: wealth is growing, timelines are longer, and transitions can occur earlier; therefore, consider putting a strategy in place.