The financial services industry's shift toward digital efficiency has unintentionally distanced clients from the emotional weight of their decisions to buy products like life insurance, writes Lori Friedman, founder of The Love Policy. Friedman urges advisors to encourage families to talk openly about mortality and help them build enduring legacies.

"What greater act of love could anyone possibly demonstrate than leaving their legacy prepared, organized and filled with intention in a place and way that will have an impact possibly for generations?" -- Lori Friedman, founder of The Love Policy

Special needs trusts are crucial tools for helping families plan for loved ones with disabilities while maintaining eligibility for government benefits, writes John Campbell of Calamos Wealth Management. He presents a case study of a grandmother who wishes to leave $750,000 to her granddaughter, who has autism and receives Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits. By amending her plan to establish a third-party special needs trust, the grandmother ensured the inheritance would supplement, not replace, existing benefits.

Thirty-five percent of adults plan to delay retirement or have already done so, according to a New York Life survey, with inadequate savings and inflation among the factors cited. In addition, just 45% of respondents have factored long-term care or health care costs into their plans. "Many individuals are optimistic about their future selves, but these findings highlight a significant gap between their expressed confidence and their actual financial circumstances," said Jessica Ruggles of New York Life.

A Pearl.com survey has found that 1 in 5 people have acted on financial advice from artificial intelligence, and 19% of those have lost at least $100 as a result. The figure rises to 27% among members of Generation Z. "AI lacks the nuanced judgment, ethical training, and real-world experience that are essential for high-stakes situations," says Pearl.com CEO Andy Kurtzig. "An algorithm can inform, but only a human professional adds the required wisdom."

The IRS and the Treasury Department have issued final regulations on a SECURE 2.0 provision mandating Roth catch-up contributions for high-income participants aged 50 and over. The rules, which will take effect in 2027, allow plan administrators to use prior-year wages from separate employers to determine eligibility and include changes to provisions for correcting compliance failures and implementing deemed Roth elections.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins has signaled a more collaborative regulatory approach, pledging businesses will get notice of technical violations before facing penalties. The move marks a sharp break from former Chair Gary Gensler's aggressive enforcement era, with Atkins focusing enforcement on fraud while advancing the White House's crypto-friendly agenda.

To prepare for the Great Wealth Transfer, advisors should consider how asset fragmentation among multiple beneficiaries could increase administrative complexity without boosting assets under management, writes Greg Cornick of Osaic. He suggests advisors work with partners that offer flexible business models, scalable technology, asset portability and expertise across market segments.