Patten Financial Group

10/08/2026

Most year-end tax moves for people approaching or in retirement come with a December 31 deadline. Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, qualified charitable distributions, and catch-up contributions all deserve a look before the year closes.

We put together a 2026 year-end checklist for both pre-retirees and retirees, covering six moves to review and how they interact with each other. If you're in Northwest Indiana or the Greater Chicagoland area, this one's for you.

Your 2026 year-end tax checklist: 401(k) limits, HSA, Roth conversions, RMDs, and QCDs, with Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland in mind.

10/06/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – October 5th, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market.

10/02/2026

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7. 🗓️

It's a great time to review your coverage, and also to look at how healthcare costs fit into your bigger retirement picture: monthly budget, cash reserves, taxes, and income planning.

Our new article walks through what to review and the questions worth asking before the deadline.

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Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Learn how healthcare costs, income, and IRMAA fit into your retirement plan before you review coverage.

09/29/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – September 28th, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market.

09/25/2026

A financial plan isn't a one-time document. It should evolve as your life does.

If your plan hasn't been reviewed since your last major life event, or you're not sure what you pay each year, those are worth a closer look. Our newest article covers 8 signs it may be time to change financial advisors. It also explains why a direct conversation with your current advisor is a smart first step.

At Patten Financial, we offer quarterly review meetings because we believe consistent communication is at the heart of a strong advisory relationship.

Read more: https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/signs-its-time-to-change-financial-advisors

09/22/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – September 21st, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market.

09/18/2026

The Fed just raised interest rates for the first time since 2023 — a quarter point, bringing the benchmark rate to 3.75%–4%.

Here's the part that gets lost in the headlines: this doesn't affect everyone the same way. Savers and CD holders should see modestly better yields. Borrowers with variable-rate debt or a mortgage on the horizon will likely feel it in their payments.

The real question isn't "what did the Fed do" — it's "what does this mean for my plan specifically." We broke down both sides in our latest article.

The Fed raised rates 25 bps on 9/16/26, the first hike since 2023. See what it means for savers, borrowers, and your financial plan.

09/11/2026

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month — and it's a good time to ask a question most of us avoid: does your coverage actually match the legacy you want to leave?

Life insurance isn't just a payout. Done right, it's a planning tool — one that can give your family immediate liquidity, help equalize an inheritance among heirs, and cover costs that would otherwise force a quick sale of assets.

In our latest article, we break down what life insurance really protects in a legacy plan, term vs. permanent, and a few questions worth asking about your own coverage this month.

Read it here: https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/life-insurance-and-your-legacy-what-its-really-protecting

Have questions about how your coverage fits into your bigger picture? Send us a DM, comment, or reach out directly at (219) 312-4128

Life insurance is more than a payout — it's a legacy planning tool. See how it provides liquidity, equalizes inheritances, and fits your estate plan.

09/03/2026

"Fee-only. Fee-based. Commission-based." The labels matter — but they're not the whole story.

We break down what these terms actually mean for your retirement, and why we believe the compensation model is just the starting point. The advisor who actually serves you well comes down to something harder to put on a business card: character, transparency, and doing right by you even when it isn't the easy choice.

Read the full breakdown 👇
https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/what-fee-based-really-means-for-your-retirement

Ready to talk through your retirement plan? Message us directly or Schedule a complimentary call: https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/bookings/patten-financial-aaron-patten

Fee-only, fee-based, commission-based — what do these terms actually mean for your retirement, and why does the advisor matter more than the label?

09/01/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – August 31st, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market.