Christian West - Rigden Capital Strategies

What the Social Security Administration’s 2025 Annual Report Means for Your Retirement

Social Security’s latest annual report highlights the program’s continued importance, its projected funding shortfall, and what trust fund depletion could mean for future benefits. Here’s what retirees and workers should know and how to plan with greater flexibility.

The Three Camps in the RIA Landscape... And Why the Best Advisors Don’t Fit in Just One

When people begin searching for a financial advisor, they often assume all firms operate the same way. In reality, the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) landscape tends to fall into three distinct “camps.” Each brings value, but each also has limitations that can impact the quality of advice clien

The 4 Risks That Never Retire: Part 4. Emotion

Part 4: Emotion — The Behavioral Side of Financial Decisions While markets and economic factors play a role in retirement outcomes, investor behavior can also be an important influence. Emotional responses to uncertainty, market movements, and financial stress may affect decision-making. Common Beha

National Investing Day: A Reminder of Why We Invest in the First Place

On May 1st, we recognize National Investing Day! A newer observance founded by Charles Schwab to promote financial education, long-term investing, and greater access to the markets. The date isn’t random. It traces back to May 1, 1975 often called “May Day” on Wall Street, when commission rates were

The 4 Risks That Never Retire: Part 3. Volatility

Part 3: Volatility — Navigating Market Fluctuations Market volatility refers to the natural fluctuations in the value of investments over time. While it is a normal part of investing, it can present challenges - particularly during retirement. Understanding Volatility Financial markets do not move i

The 4 Risks That Never Retire: Part 2. Inflation

Part 2: Inflation — The Gradual Impact on Purchasing Power Inflation represents the general increase in prices over time. While it may not always feel immediate, its long-term effects can meaningfully impact retirement planning. How Inflation Affects Retirement Over time, even moderate inflation may

The 4 Risks That Never Retire: Part 1. Longevity

Part 1: Longevity — The Risk of Living Longer Than Expected For much of history, the primary concern was not living long enough. Today, many retirees face the opposite challenge: living longer than their financial resources were originally designed to support. This is commonly referred to as longevi

World Backup Day: Your Financial Plan Needs One Too

Every year on March 31st, World Backup Day serves as a simple but powerful reminder: protect your digital life. Photos, documents, passwords—everything that would be painful to lose. Most of us understand this instinctively. We’ve either experienced data loss ourselves or know someone who has. And o

Caregiving Is a Financial Event: Whether You Plan for It or Not

Caregiving is no longer a rare or short-term responsibility. Millions of Americans are balancing full-time careers while caring for children, aging parents, or other dependent family members. For many, this happens simultaneously—placing them squarely in the sandwich generation. Yet caregiving is st

What You Need to Know About Roth-Required 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions Starting in 2026

Retirement savers age 50 and older have long relied on catch-up contributions to boost savings as they approach retirement. These additional contributions provide a meaningful opportunity to save more—especially for high earners in their peak earning years. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) int