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The SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022 made a number of changes designed to increase the retirement security of Americans. Two of these changes specifically impact Roth 401(k) contributions, including removing the requirement of minimum distributions and considering Roth contributions as elective deferrals. This article provides a brief summary of some of the key provisions of SECURE 2.0 with a focus on how employer matching of Roth contributions and the removal of the requirement to make minimum withdrawals may impact an employee's decision to allocate elective deferrals to a Roth account and potentially, the employee's wealth accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Progranulin (PGRN) is a holoprotein that is internalized and taken to the lysosome where it is processed to individual granulins (GRNs). PGRN is critical for successful aging, and insufficient levels of PGRN are associated with increased risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases like AD, PD, and FTD. A unifying feature among these diseases is dysregulation of peripheral immune cell populations. However, considerable gaps exist in our understanding of the function(s) of PGRN/GRNs in immune cells and their role in regulating centralperipheral neuroimmune crosstalk. One of the most upregulated genes and proteins in humans with GRN haploinsufficiency and in aged Grn knock-out (KO) mice is glycoprotein non-metastatic B (GPNMB) but its normal role within the context of immune crosstalk has not been elucidated. Methods: To address this gap, peritoneal macrophages (pMacs) from 5-to-6-month old WT and Grn KO mice were assessed for Gpnmb expression and stimulation-dependent cytokine release in the presence or absence of the Gpnmb extracellular domain (ECD). Cellular localization, as well as inhibition of, the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was assessed to determine its mechanistic role in Gpnmb overexpression in Grn KO pMacs. Results: We observed an increase in GPNMB protein and mRNA as a result of insufficient progranulin in peripheral immune cells at a very early age relative to previous reports on the brain. Stimulation-dependent cytokine release was decreased in the media of Grn KO pMacs relative to WT controls; a phenotype that could be mimicked in WT pMacs with the addition og GPNMB ECD. We also found that MITF is dysregulated in Grn KO pMacs; however, its nuclear translocation and activity are not required to rescue the immune dysregulation of Grn KO macrophages, suggesting redundancy in the system. Discussion: These findings highlight the fact that knowledge of early-stage disease mechanism(s) in peripheral populations may inform treatment strategies to delay disease progression at an early, prodromal timepoint prior to development of neuroinflammation and CNS pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Progranulin (PGRN) is a holoprotein that is internalized and taken to the lysosome where it is processed to individual granulins (GRNs). PGRN is critical for successful aging, and insufficient levels of PGRN are associated with increased risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases like AD, PD, and FTD. A unifying feature among these diseases is dysregulation of peripheral immune cell populations. However, considerable gaps exist in our understanding of the function(s) of PGRN/GRNs in immune cells and their role in regulating centralperipheral neuroimmune crosstalk. One of the most upregulated genes and proteins in humans with GRN haploinsufficiency and in aged Grn knock-out (KO) mice is glycoprotein non-metastatic B (GPNMB) but its normal role within the context of immune crosstalk has not been elucidated. Methods: To address this gap, peritoneal macrophages (pMacs) from 5-to-6-month old WT and Grn KO mice were assessed for Gpnmb expression and stimulation-dependent cytokine release in the presence or absence of the Gpnmb extracellular domain (ECD). Cellular localization, as well as inhibition of, the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was assessed to determine its mechanistic role in Gpnmb overexpression in Grn KO pMacs. Results: We observed an increase in GPNMB protein and mRNA as a result of insufficient progranulin in peripheral immune cells at a very early age relative to previous reports on the brain. Stimulation-dependent cytokine release was decreased in the media of Grn KO pMacs relative to WT controls; a phenotype that could be mimicked in WT pMacs with the addition og GPNMB ECD. We also found that MITF is dysregulated in Grn KO pMacs; however, its nuclear translocation and activity are not required to rescue the immune dysregulation of Grn KO macrophages, suggesting redundancy in the system. Discussion: These findings highlight the fact that knowledge of early-stage disease mechanism(s) in peripheral populations may inform treatment strategies to delay disease progression at an early, prodromal timepoint prior to development of neuroinflammation and CNS pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers have an assortment of information sources available to them when making financial decisions. As information has become more readily available and less costly to access over time, the types of information that are relied upon by consumers have changed. Given that the choice of information sources can influence financial decision making, this article examines trends in the resources used by U.S. households when making financial decisions and specifically explores the sources most frequently used by life insurance policyholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining a college education can yield a variety of positive financial and nonfinancial outcomes for individuals and their families. However, this can come at a cost, and these costs are rising. So, too, is the volume of student loan debt. Using survey data, this study finds evidence of differences among households across a variety of factors when taking into consideration the presence of student loan debt and degree completion. If financial planners can assist in properly planning for educational expenses, their guidance could impact the financial well-being of individuals, their families, and the economy as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of inclusive school settings for students in six Indiana school corporations were investigated. Results reveal that students without disabilities educated in inclusive settings made significantly greater academic progress in mathematics and reading. For students with disabilities, there were no significant differences in reading and math achievement across the comparison groups. However, a review of group means and the percentage of students making comparable or greater than average academic progress when compared to students without disabilities indicates a pattern in favor of inclusive settings. The academic progress of students with specific disability labels, namely, learning disabilities and mild mental handicaps, also supported inclusive education.

Over the past 20 years, the number of personal financial advisors has more than tripled and wages have increased significantly. During this same time, the "average American" has changed substantially due to a variety of factors, including immigration and increased life expectancy. This paper explores the demographic changes that have occurred over the years, the variation in the number of financial advisors across states, and how this information can be useful to financial advisors as they look to maintain and/or grow their business in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The market share of surplus lines insurers has grown considerably. We examine the impact of surplus lines representation within insurer groups on the extent of product diversification. Initial evidence suggests that groups with greater surplus lines representation are more diversified than other groups. These results hold when controlling for the joint impact of surplus lines representation and size, as well as surplus lines representation and the percentage of overall business written in personal lines. However, when examining the subsample of groups affiliated with surplus lines insurers, we find some evidence that supports the product focus hypothesis, which states surplus lines insurers are used to further focus on existing product lines already being written by other members of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses barriers to the development of inclusive school programs for secondary students with mild disabilities, and the implementation of an inclusive program in a 9th-grade general math class and an 11th-grade English class. Describes the development of partnerships between general and special education teachers. (CR)

Numerous studies suggest there is a significant portion of working Americans who are not adequately saving for retirement. At retirement, these individuals may be heavily dependent on Social Security, reliant on family for support, or forced to work longer or return to work. All of these outcomes can have adverse effects on these individuals and the economy as a whole, including a lower standard of living and reduced consumption. One proposed solution to the lack of widescale availability of employer-sponsored retirement plans and inadequate personal savings is state-based retirement plans. This article discusses the current status of these plans, explores the potential impact on retirement savings, and considers the possible implications for financial planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]