📈 Stock Quote

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

📖 – Jimmy Dean, American country music singer, actor, and businessman

🧩 Riddle Me

⛵️ Sailing Trivia
What is the nautical term for steering a boat slightly off the wind to maintain forward motion even when sailing against it?

A) Reefing

B) Tacking

C) Drifting

D) Heaving to

Think you know it? Scroll down for the answer, me hearties!”
(answers below)

💵 COLA 2026

Helping you Maintain Purchasing Power

The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026.

Source: https://www.ssa.gov/cola/

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

📅 Reminder:
Medicare Open Enrollment - Now to December 7

The changes you make during Open Enrollment are effective January 1 of next year.

Depending on your current coverage, your open enrollment options may include Changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan, changes to your drug plan, and changes to how you get coverage, such as switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa.

See our recent podcast titled: Medicare: Upcoming Changes and How to Prepare for more.

Additional resources: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment

🚀 Moon Shot

Scientists are weighing their options regarding asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a roughly 4% chance of colliding with the moon in 2032.

Options being studied include nudging the asteroid off course or destroying it with a nuclear explosion before it gets too close.

Both approaches come with risks:

🌙 Deflection would require precise knowledge of the asteroid’s mass.

🌙 A failed nuclear strike could create a dangerous debris field around Earth and the moon.

NASA says there are no immediate plans to intervene, but scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope will study the asteroid next year to refine its trajectory. For now, the research highlights how planetary defense ideas once reserved for science fiction are becoming serious considerations.

🔁 Section 1035

Changing Course Without Losing Momentum

Did you know? There’s a way to “change course” financially without triggering taxes. Under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code, certain life insurance and annuity holders can exchange one policy for another—potentially updating to a newer contract with lower costs, improved benefits, or different investment options—without creating a taxable event.

In other words, you can shift direction while staying on course toward your goals. That flexibility can be valuable when your needs, or the markets, evolve over time.

Rules and exceptions apply, so it’s important to understand the fine print before making a move. Contact your Vector advisor.

🔗 Recent Vector Posts & Pods

Discussions from our blog that aim to spark dialogue, enhance retirement readiness, and help make more informed financial choices.

ICYMI – Curated Post & Pods from Vector

🎧 5 Tax-Prep Opportunities Before Year End

Fall is the perfect time to review your financial plan and uncover year-end tax opportunities. In our latest podcast, we highlight strategies like Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and charitable giving. (Mike Nesheim Video Podcast)

🎧 Online Scams: How to Spot and Stop Them Before It’s Too Late

Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting even the most cautious investors. We share a recent online scam that targeted a client. Plus simple steps you can take to protect your accounts and personal information. (Suzy & Charlie Video Podcast)

🎧 3 Ways to Use Your Portfolio for Short-Term Borrowing

Discussion of smart, flexible ways to access short-term liquidity. In this episode, we explore three liquidity strategies using your portfolio—60-day IRA rollovers, margin loans, and pledged asset lines. (David Moser Video Podcast)

🎧 Minnesota Estate Taxes: What Non-Residents Need to Know about Owning Property in MN

Minnesota’s estate tax laws can surprise even seasoned investors—especially those who split time between states. Learn how your estate could be affected and what you should know to protect your heirs and legacy. (Sharon Calhoun Video Podcast)

🎧 Financial Checklist: 5 Simple Tasks

These five simple tasks—from reviewing beneficiaries to organizing key documents—can help you start the new year with clarity and confidence. (Chris Wagner Video Podcast)

🌅 Sailing Trivia Answer

Answer: B) Tacking

When the wind isn’t in your favor, sailors don’t stop — they tack. By turning the boat in a zigzag pattern, they use the wind’s angle to keep moving forward, even against it.

It’s a good reminder that progress doesn’t always mean sailing in a straight line. Whether it’s the markets, your plans, or life itself, the key is adjusting your sails — not giving up on the destination.

Here’s to smooth sailing ahead, wherever the wind takes you. ⛵️

Well Balanced Vol. 41