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Financial stress among first responders is a growing concern — and one that deserves more attention. Irregular schedules, overtime variability, and the psychological demands of the job can make personal financial management especially challenging in public safety professions. Over time, this can contribute to higher levels of stress, both on and off duty. Key strategies that may help include: • Building a structured monthly budget • Establishing an emergency savings reserve • Automating key financial decisions where possible • Taking advantage of employer-sponsored benefits • Setting clear, realistic short- and long-term goals Addressing financial health is not only a personal benefit — it’s part of sustaining overall wellness and long-term readiness in the field. While the profession comes with unique demands, practical and consistent planning can make a meaningful difference. 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #FirstResponders #FinancialWellness #PublicSafety #BehavioralHealth #FinancialEducation #RetirementReadiness

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Financial stress among first responders is a growing concern — and one that deserves more attention. Irregular schedules, overtime variability, and the psychological demands of the job can make personal financial management especially challenging in public safety professions. Over time, this can contribute to higher levels of stress, both on and off duty. Key strategies that may help include: • Building a structured monthly budget • Establishing an emergency savings reserve • Automating key financial decisions where possible • Taking advantage of employer-sponsored benefits • Setting clear, realistic short- and long-term goals Addressing financial health is not only a personal benefit — it’s part of sustaining overall wellness and long-term readiness in the field. While the profession comes with unique demands, practical and consistent planning can make a meaningful difference. 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #FirstResponders #FinancialWellness #PublicSafety #BehavioralHealth #FinancialEducation #RetirementReadiness

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🚨 The Financial Truth Every First Responder Should Know 🚨 Crafted in accordance with FINRA Rule 2210. Balanced. Educational. Non-Promissory. In law enforcement and public safety, your career demands everything — your time, your energy, your health. But what about your financial future? Too often, financial planning gets deferred. Not because first responders lack discipline — but because few are ever taught how financial systems intersect with the unique trajectory of a law enforcement career. Here’s the hard truth: 📌 Delaying your financial plan can cost more than just dollars — it costs options. Financially successful first responders don’t get there by accident. They: ✅ Make intentional decisions early in their careers ✅ Understand their pension benefits — and the risks of cashing out too soon ✅ Know how to layer retirement strategies (457(b), 401(a), IRAs) ✅ Prepare for disruptions — medical events, injury, burnout, or career pivots ✅ Prioritize long-term clarity over short-term convenience The most common regret? Not starting sooner. Not asking questions earlier. Not having a strategy in place when opportunities — or emergencies — arrive. If you're a first responder, your mission-driven work deserves a mission-aligned financial plan. One built with purpose, not pressure 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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🚨 The Financial Truth Every First Responder Should Know 🚨 Crafted in accordance with FINRA Rule 2210. Balanced. Educational. Non-Promissory. In law enforcement and public safety, your career demands everything — your time, your energy, your health. But what about your financial future? Too often, financial planning gets deferred. Not because first responders lack discipline — but because few are ever taught how financial systems intersect with the unique trajectory of a law enforcement career. Here’s the hard truth: 📌 Delaying your financial plan can cost more than just dollars — it costs options. Financially successful first responders don’t get there by accident. They: ✅ Make intentional decisions early in their careers ✅ Understand their pension benefits — and the risks of cashing out too soon ✅ Know how to layer retirement strategies (457(b), 401(a), IRAs) ✅ Prepare for disruptions — medical events, injury, burnout, or career pivots ✅ Prioritize long-term clarity over short-term convenience The most common regret? Not starting sooner. Not asking questions earlier. Not having a strategy in place when opportunities — or emergencies — arrive. If you're a first responder, your mission-driven work deserves a mission-aligned financial plan. One built with purpose, not pressure 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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🚨 Burnout Doesn’t End at Retirement—It Can Shape It In high-stress professions like law enforcement, fire, and EMS, the physical demands of the job are well known. But the financial impact of burnout is often overlooked. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and accumulated trauma can lead to long-term health challenges, which may increase healthcare expenses, reduce the ability to work longer, and potentially lead to drawing down retirement assets earlier than anticipated. The connection between occupational wellness and long-term financial stability is real—and it matters. Financial planning in these careers shouldn’t just focus on investments or income. It should also account for the possibility of earlier-than-expected retirement, health-related costs, and sustainable cash flow under uncertain conditions. If you serve in a role that puts others first, make sure your plan is designed to support you—no matter when the job ends. 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #FirstResponderFinance #FinancialWellness #RetirementPlanning #OccupationalHealth #BurnoutAwareness #PublicSafetyProfessionals #FinancialPlanning

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🚨 Burnout Doesn’t End at Retirement—It Can Shape It In high-stress professions like law enforcement, fire, and EMS, the physical demands of the job are well known. But the financial impact of burnout is often overlooked. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and accumulated trauma can lead to long-term health challenges, which may increase healthcare expenses, reduce the ability to work longer, and potentially lead to drawing down retirement assets earlier than anticipated. The connection between occupational wellness and long-term financial stability is real—and it matters. Financial planning in these careers shouldn’t just focus on investments or income. It should also account for the possibility of earlier-than-expected retirement, health-related costs, and sustainable cash flow under uncertain conditions. If you serve in a role that puts others first, make sure your plan is designed to support you—no matter when the job ends. 📌 No products will be sold. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #FirstResponderFinance #FinancialWellness #RetirementPlanning #OccupationalHealth #BurnoutAwareness #PublicSafetyProfessionals #FinancialPlanning

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🚨 Understanding Financial Planning Considerations for First Responders Financial planning can look different for those serving in public safety roles. Their careers often involve distinct benefits, risks, and timelines that may influence financial decision-making. Some important considerations for first responders include: 🔹 Eligibility for earlier retirement compared to the general workforce 🔹 Variable compensation structures (e.g., overtime or incentive pay) 🔹 Physical and emotional demands of the profession that may impact long-term planning 🔹 Multiple benefit programs to coordinate, such as 401(a), 457(b), DROP accounts, pensions, and healthcare These factors can introduce complexity. For some, working with a financial professional may provide support in identifying strategies to align with their goals and family needs. Topics that may come up in a financial planning conversation include: ✅ Structuring distributions from qualified retirement accounts ✅ Coordinating pension options with personal circumstances ✅ Reviewing risk management and insurance considerations ✅ Discussing financial wellness as one aspect of overall well-being Every individual’s situation is unique. This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or guarantee of results. Individuals should consult with their financial, tax, or legal professionals regarding their personal situation. 📌 For important disclosures, visit thrivent.com/social. #FinancialPlanning #FirstResponders #PublicSafety #RetirementPlanning #FinancialWellness #Thrivent

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🚨 Understanding Financial Planning Considerations for First Responders Financial planning can look different for those serving in public safety roles. Their careers often involve distinct benefits, risks, and timelines that may influence financial decision-making. Some important considerations for first responders include: 🔹 Eligibility for earlier retirement compared to the general workforce 🔹 Variable compensation structures (e.g., overtime or incentive pay) 🔹 Physical and emotional demands of the profession that may impact long-term planning 🔹 Multiple benefit programs to coordinate, such as 401(a), 457(b), DROP accounts, pensions, and healthcare These factors can introduce complexity. For some, working with a financial professional may provide support in identifying strategies to align with their goals and family needs. Topics that may come up in a financial planning conversation include: ✅ Structuring distributions from qualified retirement accounts ✅ Coordinating pension options with personal circumstances ✅ Reviewing risk management and insurance considerations ✅ Discussing financial wellness as one aspect of overall well-being Every individual’s situation is unique. This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or guarantee of results. Individuals should consult with their financial, tax, or legal professionals regarding their personal situation. 📌 For important disclosures, visit thrivent.com/social. #FinancialPlanning #FirstResponders #PublicSafety #RetirementPlanning #FinancialWellness #Thrivent

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Many first responders underestimate one of their most powerful financial tools: the pension. It’s easy to focus on day-to-day demands and put long-term planning on the back burner. But asking the right questions early in your career can make a big difference down the line. Questions like: • How are pension benefits actually calculated? • What happens if you transfer departments or leave the field? • How are disability or early retirement scenarios handled? • What are the survivor benefits for loved ones? Understanding these areas can help you navigate your financial path with greater clarity and confidence. This is the kind of conversation I have often with those who serve our communities — and the earlier it starts, the better. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures #FirstResponders #PensionPlanning #FinancialWellness #RetirementReadiness #FirePoliceEMS

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Many first responders underestimate one of their most powerful financial tools: the pension. It’s easy to focus on day-to-day demands and put long-term planning on the back burner. But asking the right questions early in your career can make a big difference down the line. Questions like: • How are pension benefits actually calculated? • What happens if you transfer departments or leave the field? • How are disability or early retirement scenarios handled? • What are the survivor benefits for loved ones? Understanding these areas can help you navigate your financial path with greater clarity and confidence. This is the kind of conversation I have often with those who serve our communities — and the earlier it starts, the better. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures #FirstResponders #PensionPlanning #FinancialWellness #RetirementReadiness #FirePoliceEMS

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🚨 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is here — and it’s time to give some much-deserved recognition to the voices behind the headset. Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of emergency services. While the lights and sirens often get the spotlight, it's the calm, steady voice on the other end of the radio that sets everything in motion. They’re the first to know, the first to act, and often the last to be thanked. I’ll never forget the steady, composed voices cutting through chaos — providing vital info, sending help, and keeping us grounded when everything else felt upside down. Those voices quite literally save lives. To every new recruit and every seasoned veteran out there: do yourself a favor this week — if you can, go visit your dispatchers in person. Say thank you. Shake a hand. Put a face to that voice that always has your back. (Pro tip: If you want to go home on time… highly recommend it. 😉) Let’s be real — dispatchers hear more, handle more, and carry more than most people realize. This week we celebrate them — but let’s carry that appreciation all year long. #NPSTW #ThankADispatcher #PublicSafety #FirstResponders #BehindTheHeadset

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🚨 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is here — and it’s time to give some much-deserved recognition to the voices behind the headset. Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of emergency services. While the lights and sirens often get the spotlight, it's the calm, steady voice on the other end of the radio that sets everything in motion. They’re the first to know, the first to act, and often the last to be thanked. I’ll never forget the steady, composed voices cutting through chaos — providing vital info, sending help, and keeping us grounded when everything else felt upside down. Those voices quite literally save lives. To every new recruit and every seasoned veteran out there: do yourself a favor this week — if you can, go visit your dispatchers in person. Say thank you. Shake a hand. Put a face to that voice that always has your back. (Pro tip: If you want to go home on time… highly recommend it. 😉) Let’s be real — dispatchers hear more, handle more, and carry more than most people realize. This week we celebrate them — but let’s carry that appreciation all year long. #NPSTW #ThankADispatcher #PublicSafety #FirstResponders #BehindTheHeadset

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Your pension plan shouldn’t be your only retirement plan

Too often, first responders assume their pension will carry them through retirement. But as this recent Police1 article points out, relying solely on a pension can leave serious gaps in your long-term financial picture. Here’s why: • Pensions might not keep up with inflation, especially without a strong cost-of-living adjustment. • Health care costs continue to rise and can quickly consume a fixed income. • Many leave service before reaching full vesting or maximum benefit levels. • Supplemental retirement strategies — like deferred compensation, IRAs, and other investment vehicles — are essential to cover the full span of retirement. Most public safety professionals retire earlier than the general workforce, which means their money needs to last longer — and work harder. This is exactly where specialized financial planning makes a difference. I work with police officers and firefighters to build comprehensive strategies that go beyond the pension — so they’re not just prepared for retirement, but better equipped to navigate it. Your pension is just the beginning. The rest of the plan determines how far it will actually take you. Read the full article here: https://www.police1.com/police-jobs-and-careers/articles/your-pension-plan-shouldnt-be-your-only-retirement-plan-8zymYzdZ6rtTqtSu/ Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Improve the odds of retiring on your terms by taking advantage of other account and employment...

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Understanding your personal finances is a goal everyone should pursue. The more you understand about money—budgeting, saving and investing—the more empowered you are to make decisions that align with your goals.​

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Understanding your personal finances is a goal everyone should pursue. The more you understand about money—budgeting, saving and investing—the more empowered you are to make decisions that align with your goals.​

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Market uncertainty: Tariffs and economic policy drive volatility

Uncertainty around economic and trade policies is weighing on confidence for both individuals and businesses. Read more from Thrivent's Chief Investment Strategist on current volatility and other market conditions.

It can be difficult for markets to assess the impact of tariffs because they can be added or removed quickly, and there isn’t always insight into what’s coming...

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Burnout isn't just a mental and physical drain — it's a financial burden too. In the first responder world, burnout can cost you more than just your well-being; it can significantly impact your long-term financial health. Beyond the obvious toll on health, burnout increases healthcare expenses, with rising medical bills, counseling costs, and the need for medications all taking a financial hit. Additionally, burnout can shorten career longevity, affecting retirement planning. Small daily expenses, like spending on unhealthy coping habits, compound over time, depriving you of potential retirement savings. Protecting your mental and physical health now can mean financial security later. Prioritize self-care and seek support before burnout takes its toll. #MentalHealthMatters #Burnout #FinancialHealth #LawEnforcementWellness Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

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Burnout isn't just a mental and physical drain — it's a financial burden too. In the first responder world, burnout can cost you more than just your well-being; it can significantly impact your long-term financial health. Beyond the obvious toll on health, burnout increases healthcare expenses, with rising medical bills, counseling costs, and the need for medications all taking a financial hit. Additionally, burnout can shorten career longevity, affecting retirement planning. Small daily expenses, like spending on unhealthy coping habits, compound over time, depriving you of potential retirement savings. Protecting your mental and physical health now can mean financial security later. Prioritize self-care and seek support before burnout takes its toll. #MentalHealthMatters #Burnout #FinancialHealth #LawEnforcementWellness Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

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