MN Retirement Services

Looking ahead to 2025: Social Security projections are in!

▪️ The Senior Citizens League forecasts a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2025.
▪️ This potential increase would mean an average monthly bump of about $48 for recipients.
▪️ While lower than in recent years, it's close to the 20-year average of 2.6%.

Remember, these projections aren't set in stone. The official announcement typically comes in mid-October.

It's always wise to stay informed about potential changes to Social Security, as they can impact long-term financial strategies. Understanding these trends can help you make more informed decisions whether you're nearing retirement or years away.


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Social Security benefits are projected to rise 2.5% in 2025 Social Security Administration is expected to disclose cost-of-living adjustment for retired workers in mid-October.

The Fed’s decision to lower short-term rates by 0.5% caught some by surprise. What will policy makers do next?

Is your household's inflation rate higher than the national average?

Inflation & Retirement Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.

The latest inflation numbers are in, and they're looking good! Consumer prices rose 2.5% last month, bringing U.S. inflation to a 3-year low.

What does this mean for you?
▪️ Gradual relief from high prices, especially in groceries and gas
▪️ Potential interest rate cuts by the Fed, which could impact borrowing costs
▪️ A sign that the economy is stabilizing after post-pandemic turbulence

Remember, while this news is positive, it's important to maintain a balanced, long-term approach to your financial strategy. Every economic shift brings both opportunities and challenges.

What financial goals are you focusing on in this changing economic landscape? Let's discuss!



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Annual US consumer inflation fell to 2.5% in August, a 3-year low The post-pandemic spike in U.S. inflation eased further last month as year-over-year price increases reached a three-year low.

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Social Security benefits for 2025 are expected to change, but perhaps not as much as they did in previous years.

Mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest point since February 2023, with the average 30-year fixed rate now at 6.29%. That's down from 6.43% just last week, marking six consecutive weeks of declines. 🏠

What's behind this trend? It mixes cooling inflation, a slowing job market, and an anticipated Fed rate cut. But here's the twist: despite these lower rates, mortgage demand only increased by 1.4% last week.

Why the muted response? Many homeowners already have low rates, affordability remains challenging, and housing inventory is still limited. It's a complex landscape for both buyers and refinancers.

Are you navigating the current housing market? How are these changes affecting your homeownership journey?


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Mortgage rates hit lowest level since February 2023 Mortgage rates fell for the sixth straight week last week, but mortgage demand still seems to be waiting for something bigger.

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Just a moment...

The Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting (Sept 17-18) is drawing attention.

🔑 Key factors include:
▪️ Job market health
▪️ July job openings at a 3.5-year low
▪️ Unemployment rate: 4.3% (still relatively low)

What's at stake:
▪️ The size of the rate cut - 0.25% or 0.50%?

👀 What to watch:
▪️ Friday's jobs report
▪️ Next week's consumer price index

Why it matters:
Fed decisions impact everything from mortgages to business loans, shaping our economic landscape.
Stay tuned as we navigate these economic shifts together.


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Fed rate-cut size this month to hinge on job market health Federal Reserve policymakers are increasingly attentive to the U.S. labor market as they prepare for a policy-setting meeting later this month, when their assessment of job-market health will be key to how big an interest-rate cut they deliver.

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Stocks notched modest gains in August, helping investors forget a volatile month of trading, punctuated by upbeat comments by Fed officials about interest rates.

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Wondering what to tell your financial pro? Check out this quick video for guidance!

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The latest Fed minutes suggest we might see an interest rate cut as soon as September. Here's what you need to know:

▪️ Most Fed officials believe easing policy could be appropriate if data continues as expected
▪️ Markets are fully pricing in a September cut
▪️ Inflation is moving towards the 2% target, but labor market risks have increased

What does this mean for your portfolio? It's a great time to review your investment strategy and consider how potential rate changes might impact your financial goals.

Stay tuned for more updates, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about positioning your finances in this changing economic landscape!


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Fed minutes point to ‘likely’ rate cut coming in September The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released minutes from its July 30-31 policy meeting.

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Interest rates are going to move lower, according to Fed Chair Powell. At its September meeting, 64% of investors anticipate the Fed will cut short-term rates by 0.25 percent. The others see a 0.5% cut. The current Fed Fund target rate is 5.25% to 5.5%. In the table, you can see that speculators no longer consider that range a possibility.

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a significant adjustment to our understanding of the job market:

Here are the key points:
💼 818,000 fewer jobs existed in March 2024 than initially reported. This marks the largest downward revision since 2009.
💼 The average monthly job gains from April 2023 to March 2024 were 173,500, vs. the previously reported 242,000.

While this revision is substantial, it's important to remember that job growth was still historically strong. This data gives us a more accurate picture of the labor market's health and could influence the Fed's decisions on interest rates.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about how this might affect your financial goals.


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New data shows US job growth has been far weaker than initially reported | CNN Business US job growth during much of the past year was significantly weaker than initially estimated, according to new data released Wednesday.

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Important developments in the housing market:
▪️ The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreases to 6.55%
▪️ Rates reached their lowest point in 15 months
▪️ It's the largest weekly reduction observed in two years

What factors are contributing to the rate drop? Two factors: the Federal Reserve indicates that potential interest rate cuts may be soon, and the labor market is showing signs of deceleration.

These changes may present opportunities for more favorable housing costs and refinancing options. However, it's important to note that low housing inventory continues to exert upward pressure on prices in numerous regions.
Staying well-informed is crucial for making sound decisions regarding your home and financial strategy. 💼🏘️

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US 30-year mortgage rate drops on weak jobs data, Fed rate-cut signal The interest rate for the most popular U.S. home loan plunged last week to its lowest level in 15 months, after the Federal Reserve signaled it could start cutting its policy rate in September, and a downshift in the job market bolstered financial market bets the cuts would be big.

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