(Gene Lanzoni, Head of Enterprise Content, Guardian) - For many people, the term “well-being” may bring to mind a quiet walk outdoors or a trip to the gym. In fact, according to this year’s Mind, Body, and Wallet® report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), most Americans (93%) say that physical and mental health are essential or very important to their overall well-being. Safety and security and healthy relationships also rank highly as key factors impacting their wellness.

When it comes to how people achieve their wellness goals, financial health plays an important role. Put simply, when individuals have poor financial health, it’s often much harder for them to achieve their mental and physical health goals. For example, rising healthcare costs mean many Americans are skipping routine or preventive doctors’ appointments, and market uncertainty can lead to stress around retirement planning.

Given the importance of financial health to supporting overall well-being, it’s especially concerning that a significant number of Americans are struggling with their finances. The same Guardian report found that only 30% of Americans say they have good financial health—a significant drop from 44% in 2022 and an all-time low in the 14-year history of the report.

In sum, financial wellness is about more than building wealth. By lowering stress and freeing up time to attend to physical and mental wellness needs, good financial health can help improve overall well-being in countless ways.

So how can you help support your financial wellness in order to pursue your mental and physical well-being goals? Here are a few ways to get started.

• Take a closer look at the benefits you already have: If you’re currently working, your employer might offer benefits that can help with your financial health. Take the time to learn about these options, especially non-health insurance offerings. For example, life and disability insurance can provide financial confidence in case the unexpected happens. Supplemental health plans like accident, critical illness, cancer, or hospital indemnity insurance can give you extra support by paying a cash benefit directly to you for getting preventive care or if you are hospitalized. Talking to your HR team is a great first step to understanding what’s available and making sure you’re taking full advantage of these resources.
• Start planning for your future today: Having a clear retirement savings plan can help reduce unnecessary stress. To build this plan, begin by reviewing the savings you already have, then assess your current expenses and how they might change in retirement. Don’t forget to account for inflation. Once you have a basic idea of your retirement income needs, you can develop or adjust your savings plan to fill any gaps. This might mean putting more money into your retirement account or adding new products like annuities to your savings strategy. The sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be for a happy and secure retirement.
• Connect with a financial professional: By working with a financial professional, you can access the tools, solutions, and advice needed to plan for today and the future. Financial professionals can help you develop a plan to support your short- and long-term financial goals. With the support of a financial professional, you can feel more confident in your financial wellness and empowered to achieve your broader wellness goals.

To learn more, visit https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/mind-body-wallet.

Disclaimer

Guardian’s Group Insurance products are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY.  Products are not available in all states.

Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, medical, or financial advice. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, medical or finance advice. Consult your tax, legal, medical or finance professional regarding your individual situation.

Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Copyright© 2025 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. All rights reserved.

8108285.1 (06/2027)

(Keith Namiot, Head of Annuities, Guardian) - Saving for retirement can be challenging under everyday circumstances, and especially so during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility. For many, it can be a major concern that affects their financial health and overall well-being.

According to recent data from Guardian’s 2025 Mind, Body, and Wallet® report, retirement-related concerns are the top financial stressors keeping Americans up at night, with nearly half of Americans indicating that having a source of guaranteed income in retirement and having retirement savings last as long as needed are their top financial stressors. One way to help alleviate the concerns associated with retirement income is to consider adding an annuity product to your retirement saving strategy.  

Annuities can help diversify a retirement portfolio and offer a range of potential benefits, from protection against market loss to tax-deferred growth. They can also provide a guaranteed stream of income that lasts throughout retirement, offering greater financial confidence even in uncertain economic times.

There are several types of annuities to consider, including Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs) and Deferred Income Annuities (DIAs). Both types of these income-producing annuities can help alleviate concerns about outliving one’s nest egg and not maintaining an acquired standard of living in retirement.

Exploring a Registered Index-Linked Annuity

In addition to SPIAs and DIAs, Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs) are another popular annuity solution. One example of a RILA, Guardian MarketPerform®, offers growth potential for retirement assets and tax deferral on investment growth while providing a level of downside protection during market downturns.

In addition, RILAs allow individuals the flexibility to choose from a select range of investment options including different indices. These protection-oriented growth solutions can be customized to suit the individual’s unique needs and timeline.

RILAs are a long-term investment product offered by prospectus only, and there are many factors to take into account when considering an annuity that should be discussed with a financial professional.

Supporting your retirement planning goals

With Guardian finding that 73% of Americans said they haven’t saved enough for retirement, and 69% regret not starting to save sooner, annuities can help address many of today’s retirement planning challenges. Whether you’re looking to accumulate more retirement assets with a level of protection or turn your retirement savings into a steady stream of lifetime income, people choose annuities as a way to build protection into their retirement nest egg, along with an IRA, 401(k), or pension.

Each annuity has unique benefits: SPIAs provide immediate, steady income; DIAs allow you to plan and lock in income for the future; and RILAs allow you to balance retirement planning, growth potential, and a level of protection. This can help enable you to continue striving towards growth goals while also knowing you have a certain level of protection in the face of turbulence.

Enabling overall well-being

Having an annuity within your retirement plan could play an important role in supporting not only your financial well-being but also your mental and physical health. According to Guardian’s report, for instance, 74% of US adults with poor physical health also report poor financial health.

Given the close connection between mental, physical, and financial well-being, setting a strong foundation for retirement and tapping into the power of an annuity can be an impactful way to support your overall wellness.  

Getting started today

Working with a financial professional can help you develop the retirement savings strategy that’s right for you. They can listen to your needs and help determine what role an annuity could play in supporting your retirement goals, as well as which type of annuity might be the right fit.

June is Annuities Awareness Month, and the perfect time to start the conversation. Don’t wait to make a game plan to reach your retirement goals—reach out to a financial professional today. 

To learn more, visit https://www.guardianlife.com/retirement.

Disclaimer

This product is sold by prospectus only. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The prospectus contains important information regarding this product, including fees and expenses. A prospectus may be obtained by calling 888-Guardian (888-482-7342). To download a prospectus, please visit guardianlife.com. Guardian MarketPerform^® may not be available in all states.

Index Protection and Crediting Strategies are not a permanent part of the contract and may be removed due to circumstances beyond the control of GIAC. These circumstances and the special rules that govern how assets in a discontinued index interest account may be reallocated are outlined in the contract. We will not issue a Contract on February 29 in leap years. The Contract would be issued on the following business day.

If you do not remain invested in your IPCS options until the Term End Date, you could experience a loss that is greater than the level of protection the Protection Strategy provides or a gain that is lower than the return the Crediting Strategy provides on the Term End Date.

The renewal rates under each Strategy are based on the economic environment at the time renewal rates are declared and may be less favorable than those declared at issue. Renewal rates may be reduced as the contract approaches the end of the surrender charge period.

All guarantees are backed exclusively by the strength and claims paying ability of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC). Guardian MarketPerform^® is issued by GIAC, a Delaware corporation, and distributed through Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). GIAC and PAS are wholly owned subsidiaries of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian). Guardian, GIAC and PAS are located at 10 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. Product availability and features may vary by state.

Guardian MarketPerform^® products are issued on contract forms 23-RILA, 23-RILA BUFFER, 23-RILA FRS, 23-RILA ROPDB, 23-RILA WSC, 23-RILA STRATEGY SPEC (or state equivalent forms). Product availability and features may vary by state.

8061022.1 (06/2027)

(NewsUSA) - The digital age has ushered in rapid societal changes, including the financial system. Cryptocurrencies have emerged and evolved, and it’s no longer just early adopters who are integrating these digital assets into modern financial planning. Consumers of all ages and in all phases of life are exploring the market’s potential for their financial futures. 

Financial literacy: an ongoing process 

According to a security.org study, nearly three in 10 American adults now own cryptocurrencies. The survey also reports that 40% of those owners lack confidence in the safety and security of the technology instrumental to the asset’s integrity, indicating a potential disconnect and knowledge gap that could be risky to some.  

Education is crucial for building confidence in financial decision-making. Financial literacy evolves throughout life, initially focusing on saving and budgeting, then progressing to borrowing, credit, and debt management. As financial understanding deepens, investing becomes relevant, requiring knowledge of asset classes and their associated risks and rewards. 

Cryptocurrencies are becoming widely accepted investment vehicles and one more way to diversify. Andrew Wiggins, forward for the Miami Heat who has partnered with Coinbase, explains, “I want to make sure my money is working in more places than just savings, stocks or real estate. Crypto is one way I’m doing that.” 

Just as they would carefully evaluate stocks, bonds or mutual funds in traditional finance (the long-standing system of banks, stock exchanges, etc., involved in transactions), consumers need to do their research when it comes to cryptocurrency. Wiggins agrees, “I’ve taken the time to learn about it, I’ve asked the right questions, and I work with people that I trust.”  

Decentralized finance presents opportunity 

Cryptocurrency operates within a decentralized finance system, unlike government-issued fiat money. Cryptocurrencies are managed by global peer-to-peer networks using open-source software. Each has a blockchain, a transparent and cryptographically secured digital ledger of all transactions.

Like traditional financial assets, cryptocurrencies fluctuate in value, and a variety of platforms now help people incorporate digital money into their financial plans. "For the past decade, Coinbase has been dedicated to making crypto more accessible and secure for people around the world. As bitcoin and crypto moves further into the mainstream, Coinbase is ready to help consumers take part in this transformation," says Scott Shapiro, Senior Product Director of Coinbase.  

“A consumer only needs to create a wallet to start engaging with cryptocurrency, whether to save and invest or to trade and spend,” continues Shapiro. The Coinbase platform provides customers with clear overviews of their cryptocurrency holdings as well as analyst insights for informed decision-making. Plus, it offers features such as recurring buys to take advantage of investment concepts like dollar cost averaging. 

Cryptocurrencies are touted for their openness, flexibility, speed and transparency, as well as their growth potential. One Bitcoin, for example, was valued at over $107,000 on June 16. However, these assets come with volatility and may not be suitable for risk-averse investors. 

One of the ways Coinbase is reaching new audiences and introducing new consumers to crypto is through its official partnership with professional sports leagues and teams, which brings added brand visibility and engagement opportunities through in-arena signage and activations.

Taking an educated approach and balancing risk with reward are critical. As Wiggins notes, “Investing isn’t about chasing quick wins, it’s about building a smart, well-rounded portfolio that can grow despite market shifts. It’s about investing for the long term that will make sure my money grows along with the shifts of technology and the economy.”

(NewsUSA) - Demand for apartments is at a record high, with renters signing new leases and renewing their existing stays in droves. Residents’ expectations have also increased as they want their renting experience to be as seamless as the rest of their online life. That means integrated technology, financial wellness tools and rewards for their loyalty.

RealPage, the leading provider of AI-enabled software platforms to the real estate industry, is addressing the needs of modern residents through an innovative technology called LOFT. RealPage created this new mobile app as a one-stop solution for a fulfilling apartment lifestyle from leasing to living, with easy move-in guidance, a financial wellness platform and a loyalty program to earn rewards when residents pay rent on time. Residents can pay their way, through their digital wallet, by snapping a picture of a check or splitting it into smaller chunks. Since launching in early 2025, RealPage’s LOFT is already being offered by more than 500 apartment properties across America, giving more than three million residents access to LOFT, with many more to come.

“Residents, and especially digital natives, demand digital experiences as part their apartment living lifestyles,” said Isabelle Meyer Stapf, RealPage Senior Vice President and General Manager, Payments. “Through LOFT, RealPage is prioritizing financial wellness for renters, bringing them solutions to earn rewards, make flexible rent payments and build their credit.”

LOFT also simplifies the renter’s journey from leasing to living. LOFT Leasing is a first-of-its-kind leasing experience that guides residents through application, approval and signing – with AI capabilities to streamline the back and forth. LOFT Moving enables a simplified moving experience for residents with a configurable moving checklist and integrations with local providers to order utilities, internet and moving services. And LOFT Loyalty allows residents to earn points for paying rent online and on time with any payment method. Residents can then redeem those points for rewards from airline and hotel travel to local restaurants and movie theatres.

Property managers find value in LOFT, as their residents have one app for all of their essential tasks. Jess Molasky, Chief Operating Officer of Ovation, a RealPage customer who owns and manages apartments throughout the country added, “If I can reward my residents to show up, if I can reward my residents to make payments on time, and again, if I can have that stronger relationship because their moving experience was a good one, we become their ally.”

Visit loftliving.com to learn more.

Photo caption: New LOFT app by RealPage allows residents to earn rewards for paying rent on time and the ability to make flexible rent payments, all while building credit