Employer retirement plans can be one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available, yet they are also among the most confusing. In this episode of the Women's Money Wisdom podcast, Melissa Joy, CFP®, breaks down how to make the most of your workplace retirement benefits in 2026.

Melissa walks through the key retirement plans many employees have access to, including 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans, and explains why 2026 is a pivotal year for retirement planning. With multiple legislative changes now in effect, including SECURE Act 1 and 2 and new tax rules impacting catch-up contributions, understanding your options has never been more important, especially for high earners.

This episode covers updated contribution limits, new catch-up contribution rules for those over age 50, and the temporary super catch-up opportunity for individuals ages 60 to 63. Melissa also explains the new Roth mandate for high earners, what it means for your tax strategy, and how it may change the way you approach retirement savings going forward.

Beyond contribution limits, Melissa explores advanced planning opportunities such as after-tax contributions, mega backdoor Roth strategies, and how different employer plan designs can dramatically affect how much you are able to save. She also highlights commonly overlooked strategies for dual-income households, spousal IRAs, and the growing role of Health Savings Accounts as an extension of retirement planning.

If retirement planning feels overwhelming, this episode offers clarity, structure, and actionable guidance to help you confidently use your employer benefits to support your long-term goals.

Key topics discussed include:

• 2026 retirement contribution limits and what’s changed
• Catch-up and super catch-up contribution rules
• The new Roth requirement for high earners over age 50
• Coordinating retirement savings for couples
• Using HSAs as a long-term retirement strategy
• Mega backdoor Roth opportunities and plan design considerations
• Common mistakes that can reduce employer matching

For personalized guidance, Melissa encourages listeners to review their options with a financial planner to ensure their retirement strategy aligns with both current tax laws and long-term goals.

The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https:...

Long-term care is one of the most personal topics in financial planning, and also one of the most frequently avoided.

Melissa Joy, CFP®, is joined by Pearl Planning colleague Alexa Kane, CFP®, to unpack how families can think about care earlier and more realistically.

This conversation goes beyond nursing homes to explore in-home care, assisted living, and memory care, along with the emotional and financial realities families face when care is needed. Melissa and Alexa explain why long-term care planning often affects women more heavily, why waiting until later in life can limit options, and how today’s long-term care solutions differ from the policies many people remember from past generations.

Rather than assuming insurance is the answer for everyone, they walk through how Pearl Planning approaches long-term care thoughtfully, weighing costs, health considerations, family dynamics, and alternatives. The discussion also highlights what modern hybrid policies are designed to do, how underwriting works, and what options exist for those who cannot or choose not to pursue insurance.

Key takeaways include:

• Why long-term care planning is often a bigger issue for women
• How rising care costs can impact retirement plans and family decisions
• The importance of starting the conversation earlier than most people expect
• The difference between traditional long-term care insurance and newer hybrid options
• Practical alternatives to insurance, including self-funding and housing-based strategies

This episode offers a calm, realistic framework for approaching a difficult topic and encourages listeners to plan ahead before long-term care becomes an urgent decision.

The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https:...

If you’ve ever looked at a successful woman and wondered how she really built it — you’re not alone. Behind every thriving business is a story that doesn’t always show up on social media.

In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, talks with Veronica McGibney, creator of LeadHer Magazine, a new print and digital publication dedicated to sharing the real, behind-the-scenes journeys of female founders.

Veronica shares how a moment of clarity at a business retreat sparked the creation of Lead Her, and how that idea quickly grew into a platform spotlighting women’s honest experiences — from uncertainty and burnout to growth, resilience, and long-term vision. Together, Melissa and Veronica discuss why branding is more than marketing, how visibility impacts opportunity and funding, and why telling the full story matters for women building businesses today.

You’ll learn:

• Why branding plays a critical role in both business growth and personal clarity
• How moments of uncertainty can signal it’s time to pivot or reassess
• What inspired the creation of Lead Her Magazine and its mission
• The realities women founders face that often stay behind the scenes
• Why visibility remains a challenge for women-led businesses
• Practical ways founders manage time, priorities, and competing responsibilities

If you’re building something, considering a pivot, or looking for a more honest picture of what success really takes, this conversation offers insight and perspective.

Resources:

• Learn more about Lead Her Magazine: leadhermagazine.com
• Connect with Veronica McGibney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicamcgibney
• Follow Lead Her Magazine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadhermagazine/

The previous presentation by PEARL PLANNING was intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING or any other investment professional of your choosing. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, or any non-investment related or planning services, discussion or content, will be profitable, be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. No portion of the video content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A copy of PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at https:...