The Office of Personnel Management continued its rapid pace processing the annual deluge of early-year retirement claims, completing more than 10,000 requests for the second straight month.

OPM processed 10,711 retirement requests in March, an increase of nearly 700 claims over the previous month, and nearly 1,800 more than the same period a year ago. Combined with the number of new claims continuing its descent since Januarys high-water mark of 12,997 to 7,943 last month, the overall backlog of pending claims fell from 19,591 in February to 16,823 last month.

That figure is a marked improvement over 2023, when OPMs retirement backlog did not fall below 17,000 until June. At the end of March 2023, the backlog still sat at 22,925 pending claims. OPMs target steady state of pending claims at any given time is 13,000.

Despite those gains, the average processing time for retirement claims measured on a monthly basis ticked up, from 47 days in February to 55 days last month. An overall average, measured since the fiscal year began in October, was 61 days as of the end of March, a slight improvement from the average 62 days measured the previous month.

For years, OPMs retirement process has been embattled by complaints of opacity and sluggishness. Although a major reformdigitizing the process and federal personnel recordsremains in development, a number of short-term fixes appear to have borne fruit amid this years retirement rush.

The agency has devoted additional staff and work hours to processing claims, while leadership has published a series of guides and checklists to both help federal workers better understand the process, including which agency is responsible for which phase, as well as to help them avoid common pitfalls when filling out the application, which is the biggest cause of processing delays.

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OPM continued to make strides on retirement process in March - Government Executive

For Vadaire James, a wellness counselor from Winston-Salem, N.C., being single is fine especially right now while she is helping care for her octogenarian parents.

What nags at her, though, is what her life will look like when shes their age.

I moved here six years ago from Washington, D.C., to help support my parents, and since then, my retirement saving priorities have taken a bit of a back burner, the 51-year-old told Yahoo Finance. I feel like I'm way behind the eight ball right now, and I don't feel comfortable at all about what my future might look like.

In 2022, there were 43.5 million single adult women in the US, up from 37 million a decade earlier, according to the most recent figures from the US Census Bureau. Thats the highest level ever and for many of them, like James, the risk of running out of money in retirement is a serious concern.

Heres why single women are uniquely vulnerable: Its the combination of potentially longer life spans and the persistent pay gap when compared to their male peers, along with fewer years in the workforce due to timeout for caregiving all without the fallback of a partners income to rely on.

Single women dont have anybody else to lean on but themselves when it comes to their money, said Cindy Hounsell, president of the advocacy group Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

Now, several new research reports are shedding light on the precarious state of their financial security and retirement savings.

Lets start with the pay gap women in the US earn $0.84 for every $1 earned by men, according to the National Womens Law Center.

That, in turn, translates to less money available to set aside in retirement funds. Many women also tend to take time out of the workforce for caregiving of children and family members, which often means a pause in contributions to retirement accounts. That, combined with the pay issue, results in lower future Social Security checks.

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According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly retirement benefit for retired men age 65 and older was $2,020 in 2022, and for retired women of the same age, it was $1,638.

In addition, about a quarter of women workers are not offered any retirement benefits by their employers, compared with only 16% of men, according to a 2023 Transamerica Institute report. That discrepancy is due in part to the fact that women are twice as likely as men to work in part-time contract jobs and many employers dont offer retirement benefits to their part-time employees.

The challenge is even greater considering that women tend to live longer than men nearly six years longer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means women must get by for longer on far less.

See related story: Retirement planning: A step-by-step guide

Among women and men who have never been married, the wealth gap is notable, according to a recent analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The research focused on the segment (23%) of adults who have never been married, which strips out any outside sources of wealth that could come from being divorced or widowed.

In 2022, never-married women had $19,200 in inflation-adjusted median household wealth, and men in that group had $28,100. These women had $0.68 for every dollar of wealth owned by the men much wider than the broader gender income gap, which stood at $0.90.

The data reveals racial disparities among women as well. Never-married white women had a median $31,000 in wealth, almost 10 times the amount owned by their Black counterparts. Median wealth for never-married white men stood at $40,000.

An early start to retirement savings makes a big difference, but for many women in their 20s, debt can be a stumbling block to getting started.

Women hold an average of $31,276 in student debt, leaving them with a monthly loan payment of $307 the year after graduation.

In fact, women take about two years longer than men to repay student loans, according to an American Association of University Womens analysis. The reason: smaller salaries than their male counterparts. From the moment women graduate from college, most face a gender pay gap which widens as they age.

The upshot is that some women may put off saving for retirement, and even delaying by a few years can make a difference decades down the road when you consider the power of compounding interest and reinvested dividends.

Hounsell added that many single women figure they will just work longer if they are behind on savings. "But you might not be able to work as long as you expect, she said.

Read more: Tips for quickly paying off student loans

Caregiving is a key challenge. Overall, women are more than twice as likely as men to leave the workforce for more than one year to care for children or aging parents, according to new research, Challenges Women Face Saving for Retirement, from Goldman Sachs.

The data found that 40% of working women reported leaving their jobs for caregiving needs (childcare and eldercare), and 21% reported leaving a full-time job for part-time work to provide caregiving.

"Single women may have to step away from a job if they're going to help their parents, Kimberlee Davis, author of The Fiscal Feminist: A Financial Wake-Up Call for Women, told Yahoo Finance. And that could be really detrimental to them because they're the only game in town for saving for their retirement.

Women are programmed to be caregivers, and they also are programmed to put others ahead of themselves at their own financial risk, she said. And at some point, we need to learn that we have to be a little bit more selfish.

Her tip: Women who have enough income should start a taxable brokerage account and make it an automated investment. Whether it's only $250 a month, a hundred dollars a month, it's to get that habit going and get that feeling of seeing your account grow, Davis said. Because taxable accounts are as important as retirement accounts.

Only a quarter of single women have a retirement account vs. half of married women, according to New York Life Wealth Watch data. And two-thirds are not confident that their retirement savings will last the rest of their life. At the same time, 6 in 10 feel very knowledgeable or somewhat knowledgeable about saving for retirement.

James is in that knowledgeable crew now.I needed to make changes in my job so I could be with my parents, and it has been nice, even if they can be a handful, she said.

Her decision meant a significant drop in salary, but she hasnt stopped saving in her retirement account. I add money every month, although I waver on how much I'm able to do, she said. If my income was greater, of course, I would put more aside.

She admits she holds a lingering regret. I remember when I was 21, and my mom sat me down and said, If you put money in a retirement account now, this is how much itll be when you're 30, 40, 50, 60. Of course, that went in one ear and out the other, and while I have saved over the years, it has been inconsistent. I look back on it now and wish I would've taken her advice.

Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist, and the author of 14 books, including "In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work" and "Never Too Old To Get Rich." Follow her on X @kerryhannon.

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For women who stay single, the pressure is higher to save more for retirement - Yahoo Finance

Colony Retirement Homes III in Worcester has been granted $8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the departments Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, which issues direct loans and grants to support a variety of green initiatives for eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties.

Colony III is one of four locations for Colony Retirement Homes and is a 100-apartment retirement living community offering affordable housing to low-income seniors, according to the nonprofits website.

Colony III will use the funds to help subsidize energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations for its apartments, according to a Thursday press release from the HUD.

The climate crisis and housing crisis are intertwined, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said in the release. Ensuring our housing stock is more efficient promotes better health outcomes for our community, including our seniors. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership we have with federal agencies like HUD and I look forward to these improvements.

The funding is provided by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which issued $837 million to the climate resilience program. Awards provided are used for a number of eco-conscious initiatives such as projects to improve energy or water efficiency, enhance indoor air quality or sustainability, implement the use of zero-emission electricity generation, low-emission building materials or processes, energy storage, and building electrification strategies, according to HUDs website.

The senior living facility is one of 109 properties housing more than 12,600 households and individuals awarded HUD funds to address green and climate resilience efforts. As of March 28, the GRRP has administered $544 million in funding for such projects.

This funding from HUD is an incredible opportunity to make important sustainable renovations to Colony Retirement Homes III, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista said in the release. It is critical that all of our housing stock be outfitted with energy efficient and sustainable resources as we work toward meeting the goals of the Green Worcester Plan to holistically combat the climate crisis in our growing city.

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Worcester retirement home receives $8M from HUD for green renovations - Worcester Business Journal

Above / Mayor Scott Wehrli, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres, Officer Arzania Zook Williams, Park Police Chief Steve Schindlbeck and Park Board President Mary Gibson are pictured during recognition of Officer Zooks 40-year career of public service to Naperville. (Photo courtesy Naperville Park District)

During the April 11, 2024, park board meeting, Park Police Officer Arzania Williams, also known as Zook, was recognized for his trusted and knowledgeable service to the Naperville community as he officially retired.

Officer Williams began his career in law enforcement with the City of Naperville in the mid-1980s. For the last decade, he served as one of the Districts park police officers where he mentored young officers and brought a strong sense of camaraderie to the department.

Officer Williams was presented with a shadow box and a certificate of recognition from Board President Mary Gibson and Park Police Chief Steve Schindlbeck.

Mayor Scott Wehrli and Naperville Police Chief, Jason Arres, also recognized Officer Williams and presented him with the Meritorious Service Award, honoring his years of dedication and excellence as a Naperville police officer before he joined the Naperville Park District Police.

Regular board meetings are livestreamed and may be viewed via the Park Districts YouTube channel.

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Naperville Park District recognizes Officer Arzania 'Zook' Williams upon his retirement - Positively Naperville

GREELEY, CO - NOVEMBER 18:The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, located at 1555 North 17th Ave., is seen as the sun sets in Greeley Nov. 18, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

No Weld County Health Department retirees will see any reduced benefits after learning last month that they overpaid into their pension fund.

Just over 20 retirees affected found out late last week that there will be no impact to their retirement benefits moving forward despite an accounting error made by previous staff, according to the county.

Public Employees Retirement Association Senior Communications Director Patrick Von Keyserling said that since both the county and the retirees made contributions, there is no harm to the pension fund moving forward, and the 22 retirees affected by the mistake will not see any change to retirement benefits.

Along with the retirees, the error affected an additional 110 current and former employees, Weld County Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Pattelli said. Those employees should receive a refund for the excess payments in the coming weeks.

We are pleased with the outcome and appreciate the partnership with PERA, Pattelli said.

Through a survey performed late last year, PERA discovered an issue with how the county handled pre-tax deductions for employees who were PERA members on or before June 30, 2019.

Pattelli said the county had not taken out pre-tax deductions from Section 125 benefits for the affected employees salaries when calculating retirement benefits. It resulted in overstating employees salaries to PERA and the employees and the county paying more into the retirement fund than required.

Money placed in Section 125 flexible spending accounts, other than contributions to health savings accounts, arent considered salary for PERA purposes for those whose membership began on or before June 30, 2019. For those who began membership after that date, contributions to such accounts are includable, according to the PERA website.

Staff do not know how the error occurred, because it occurred before the current staffs tenure, according to the county.

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Weld Health Department retirees to see no change to retirement benefits - Greeley Tribune

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced Thursday she would step down at the end of her term next spring, putting liberals' majority on the pivotal swing states highest bench at stake.

The April 2025 election to replace Bradley promises to be an expensive and bitter race and will likely feature many of the same momentous issues like abortion rights and redistricting that defined a 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race that ultimately gave liberals their first majority on the bench in 15 years.

In a statement, Bradley, 73, said she would not run for a fourth 10-year term on the court, saying it was a good time to bring fresh perspectives to the court.

My decision has not come lightly. It is made after careful consideration and reflection. I know I can do the job and do it well. I know I can win re-election should I run, but its just time to pass the torch, wrote Bradley, who was elected to the technically nonpartisan court in 1995.

The election for Bradley's seat will come two years after liberal Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Dan Kelly in what was the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history and one of the most closely watched elections of 2023.

The race was largely defined by Protasiewiczs support for abortion rights and opposition to the states heavily gerrymandered legislative maps two issues that were set to come before the court. During the campaign, conservatives criticized Protasiewicz for having taken public stances on divisive political issues. Following her win, some Republicans in the state threatened her with impeachment.

Just days after Protasiewicz was sworn in, the court took up the case of the state's legislative maps and months later ruled them unconstitutional. The new maps that were drawn are all but certain to cut down on the GOPs majority in the Legislature this November.

Wisconsin Democrats promptly praised Bradley on Thursday for her tenure, but also warned of how much was at stake if conservatives were to retake the majority especially on the issue of abortion in the state, where, following the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a 175-year-old near-total ban technically went back into effect.

Theres no question that reproductive freedom and abortion bans in Wisconsin will be a central issue not just this fall, but also in the Supreme Court race next spring, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said on a call with reporters. The far right is trying to take over the Supreme Court so that they can put the 1849 abortion ban into effect.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradleys announcement this morning that she wont be running for re-election next year is a reminder that Wisconsin is still only one bad election away from an ultra-right wing, abortion banning Supreme Court majority, he added.

The Biden campaign praised Bradley and argued that "with her decision not to seek reelection, the future of reproductive rights in Wisconsin is once again in flux."

"As Donald Trump brags about overturning Roe and enabling extreme state abortion bans across the country, its clear that the surest way voters can protect their abortion rights in Wisconsin is to reelect President Joe Biden this November," the campaign's Wisconsin communications director, Brianna Johnson, said in a statement Thursday.

The race will have huge political ramifications in the battleground state.

Democrats in the state had viewed the new court majority as a prime opportunity to break the GOP's yearslong grip on power and policy. But another election with the majority again at stake could scramble those hopes.

It's also likely to further ratchet up existing tensions on the court.

While the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been plagued by acrimony, divisions and allegations of partisanship for years, the 2023 election and the flip in ideological balance on the bench following it caused those tensions to erupt anew into public view.

Protasiewiczs first few weeks on the court were marred by sudden personnel moves overseen by the courts new liberal majority, rancorous news releases and tweets by justices that included insults and accusations of partisanship.

Adam Edelman is a political reporter for NBC News.

Sarah Dean and Megan Lebowitz contributed.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to retire, putting liberals' majority at stake next year - NBC News

Sebastian Vettel has made the headlines in recent weeks after admitting that a Formula 1 comeback could be appealing for 2025. But how many other drivers have ended their retirements to return to the sport over the years and, more importantly, how did they fare? Weve put together a shortlist

Niki Lauda initially called time on his F1 career at the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix, where he told Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone that he no longer wanted to drive in circles instead ploughing his energy into getting his own airline business off the ground.

READ MORE: 10 of the most remarkable injury comebacks in F1 history

But a few years on, McLaren and sponsor Marlboro dangled the carrot of an F1 return and the chance to add to the two world titles he had achieved with Ferrari in the 1970s in front of the Austrian, and it was an opportunity he grabbed.

After a brace of wins in 1982 and a couple more podiums in 1983, McLaren delivered the rapid, Porsche-powered MP4/2 for 1984, in which Lauda managed to pip team mate and rising star Alain Prost to the title by half a point.

Lauda continued for one more season, taking his 25th and final win at the 1985 Dutch Grand Prix, before embarking on a range of consultancy and managerial roles with Ferrari, Jaguar and most recently Mercedes, where he remained until his passing in 2019.

Alan Jones made his F1 debut in the mid-1970s and, some five years later, had reached the heights of title glory with Williams becoming only the second Australian driver to achieve the feat after triple world champion Jack Brabham.

Having come close to doubling up in 1981, placing third in the standings behind team mate Carlos Reutemann and Brabhams eventual title winner Nelson Piquet, AJ decided that hed had enough of travelling around the world and announced his retirement.

BEYOND THE GRID: 1980 World Champion Alan Jones on racing and winning for Williams

Victory in his then final race at Caesars Palace was a fine way to bow out, only for Jones to return to action little more than a year later with Arrows, despite breaking his leg in a horse-riding accident. However, when sponsorship money failed to materialise the two parties went their separate ways, having started just one Grand Prix together.

Some three years later, Jones returned full-time with Haas, but the regular podiums and wins from his initial stint in F1 were swapped for regular retirements a P4 finish in Austria and P6 result in Italy the two highlights from an otherwise painful 1986. He retired again thereafter.

Nigel Mansell realised his long-held ambition of becoming F1 world champion with Williams and their all-conquering FW14B in 1992, but no sooner had the Briton put his hands on that coveted prize, he departed the team and the sport as a whole.

Indeed, after falling out with team chiefs Frank Williams and Patrick Head over the terms of a new deal, and the impending arrival of Prost (with whom hed experienced a tense relationship at Ferrari), Mansell opted for a move to America and the Indy Car World Series.

READ MORE: 5 bold F1 driver moves that paid off and 5 that didnt

A year later, and with the CART title also under his belt, Mansell returned to F1 and Williams following Ayrton Sennas death, making several appearances through 1994 and scoring a pole position/victory double at the season finale in Adelaide only for Williams to give David Coulthard a full-time drive alongside Damon Hill in 1995.

Mansell subsequently headed to another legendary British team in McLaren, but having struggled to fit into the narrow MP4/10B and missing the start of the season, he could not get to grips with the car when he eventually sat behind the wheel and permanently retired after two challenging race weekends.

After Brawn GPs sensational title double in 2009, it was all change at the Brackley team for 2010 as German automotive giant Mercedes bought the operation and signalled their full-time return to F1 competition with a view to emulating their success from the 1950s.

Neither Jenson Button (heading to McLaren) nor Rubens Barrichello (moving to Williams) would represent the marque, though, with team bosses instead signing an all-German line-up of Nico Rosberg and returning world champion Michael Schumacher.

READ MORE: Today was a little present to myself The story of Michael Schumacher's 91st and final F1 win

Schumacher, who had racked up a pair of titles with Benetton in the 1990s and five with Ferrari in the noughties, was keen to add another chapter of success to his F1 story, but while a three-year spell with the Silver Arrows brought plenty of points, it yielded just one podium finish.

Schumacher was, however, credited with helping to lay the foundations for Mercedes success in the turbo-hybrid era that followed the team winning eight constructors titles and seven drivers titles from 2014 to 2021.

While it was not officially announced as a retirement at the time, Kimi Raikkonen stepped away from the F1 grid at the end of a challenging 2009 season with Ferrari, despite having a contract to race with the team who signed Fernando Alonso in his place through 2010.

Over the next couple of years, the Finn dabbled in his passion for mixed-surface competition with outings in the World Rally Championship and also sampled the world of NASCAR, but the F1 paddock remained interested in his services and he returned with Lotus for 2012.

WATCH: I just did whatever made me happy Take an animated trip through Kimi Raikkonens stellar career

A brilliant victory and radio message followed at that years Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, before he kicked off the 2013 campaign with a similarly impressive win in Australia. After bagging several more podiums, Raikkonen soon found himself heading back to the squad he had left in Ferrari.

While Raikkonens next spell at Maranello was not as successful as his first, which included a run to the title in 2007, he added plenty more trophies to his cabinet and took a very popular 21st and final victory at the 2018 United States Grand Prix, before embarking on a farewell stint with Alfa Romeo.

Alonso came agonisingly close to winning the title with Ferrari after replacing Raikkonen but with the top prize remaining elusive across a five-year spell in red he made a return to McLaren for 2015, where matters went from bad to worse thanks to an ailing Honda power unit.

Alonso patiently waited for progress across three seasons powered by the Japanese manufacturer, and another when Renault stepped in as their replacement, but with no sign of the race and title-contending form he had been craving, the Spaniard walked away from F1.

READ MORE: From Hungary 2003 to Spain 2013 Ranking Alonsos best wins from 10 to 1

Like Raikkonen, Alonso tried a host of different categories in the years that followed, with highlights including a pair of victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the overall World Endurance Championship title, alongside outings in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, the Dakar Rally and the Indianapolis 500.

Alonso was then tempted back to F1 by Alpine, or Team Enstone, where he won his pair of world titles in 2005 and 2006, with a move to Aston Martin and a move up the grid soon following as his quest for that third championship continues.

What's more the Spaniard has just signed on at Aston Martin through to 2026, with chapters of his F1 journey still to be written.

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The drivers Vettel could follow by coming out of retirement - Formula 1

SmartAsset: Here's How Much the Average Person Lost in Retirement Savings in 2022

Even investors who understand that the stock market is volatile did not feel good about the losses stocks posted during 2022. The Standard & Poors 500 Index dropped by nearly 20% and the average workplace retirement plan balance fell from $144,280 at the start of that year to $111,210 by years end. Heres a breakdown of how much money retirement savers lost from thesedefined contribution plans.

Afinancial advisor can help you create a financial plan to protect your retirement nest egg.

Alights 2023 Universe Benchmarks Reportlooked at data from almost three million eligible participants spread across 100 retirement plans. The median plan balance fell to $23,818 the lowest in a decade. The median annual return was -14.7% during 2022.

Other findings from the study were similarly downbeat: The average participation rate in workplace savings plans dropped slightly, from 84% in 2021 to 83% in 2022, while the average contribution rate slipped from 8.6% to 8.3%.

When considering former employees, the rate of those who kept their money invested in the workplace plan dropped from 61% in 2021 to 55% in 2022. Such withdrawals may indicate workers rolled money from their previous employers plan to that of a new employer, or into an individual retirement account; it also can include workers cashing out their accounts to keep money on the sidelines, or used it to meet financial obligations.

Despite Challenges, Workers Focused on Long-Term Savings

Still, most workers saving in 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored plans stayed the course, despite being hit by increased living expenses that resulted from high inflation.

Most people did not make drastic, knee-jerk reactions to their investments, Rob Austin, head of research at Alight Solutions, said in a statement. Only 3% of people stopped contributing, and the number of people who increased contribution rates was more than twice the number who decreased their savings.

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And, the percentage of workers eligible for workplace plans with fewer than two years of service increased by 30% during 2022an indication that automatic enrollment plans seem to be getting more workers to save for retirement

So far for 2023, markets have been more encouraging, with the broad S&P 500 index up more than 14% by the end of June. Similarly, balances for defined contribution plans, such as 401(k)s, are up for the year, according to the Investment Company Institute, which reported that plan assets were $9.8 trillion at the end of the first quarter, up 5% percent from the end of 2022.

Bottom Line

A tough year for the stock market was difficult for participants in workplace retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, where they contribute money toward retirement. Because of the long time horizonmost workers have before retirement, plan participants tend to invest much or all of their contributions in stocks to achieve long-term growth after inflation. But that means they also have to weather the inevitable downturns in the market.

Retirement Planning Tips

A financial advisor can help protect your retirement savings. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Knowing how much you will need to pay for retirement is crucial to make your plan sustainable. Our retirement calculator can help you get an estimate for how much you will be able to save over time.

Photo credit: iStock.com/fizkes, iStock.com/Inside Creative House,iStock.com/Nikola Ilic

The post Heres How Much the Average Person Lost in Retirement Savings in 2022. How Do You Compare? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

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Did You Lose More in Retirement Than The Average American Did Last Year? - Yahoo Finance

There will inevitably, and rightly, be an enormous level of affection for Rachel Daly after the shock news of her retirement from international football, which came merely 12 hours after appearing for England as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

But beyond the recognition for this unique footballer full-back, wing-back, wide midfielder, winger and Womens Super League Golden Boot winner when actually used in her best position as a striker there are a couple of pertinent questions. Why has Daly made this decision? And what does it say about Sarina Wiegmans England? Dalys retirement message gave little away. But it seems clear this is a footballer who felt overlooked.

In the aftermath of Euro 2022 it seemed clear Alessia Russo would become Englands first-choice centre-forward. Ellen Whites retirement meant there was a vacancy up front. Russo had been introduced as a substitute in all six games at the Euros, scoring four times including the famous backheel against Sweden in a 4-0 semi-final victory. At 23, Russo was set to explode into a consistent world-class striker.

That, so far, has not quite happened. Russo scored nine WSL goals for Manchester United the season before Euro 2022, and improved only slightly to 10 in 2022-23. She moved to Arsenal last summer, but has only managed six this time around. Russos all-round game has improved, but her goalscoring return remains modest.

The goalscoring explosion has instead come from Daly. Her situation was always somewhat peculiar; primarily a full-back for England, but a centre-forward in the NWSL for Houston Dash, and in a brief loan spell for West Ham United during the behind-closed-doors 2020-21 campaign. But her move to Aston Villa, a week after the Euro 2022 success, meant her penalty-box threat could no longer be ignored by Wiegman. She won the Golden Boot, with 22 goals in 22 WSL games, which must have come as a surprise even to her considering she did not manage more than 10 in a season during her seven years in the NWSL.

That form was rightly rewarded with an opportunity up front for England. Against Italy in the second of their three Arnold Clark Cup games last February, Daly started as Englands No 9 for the first time, and in a 2-1 victory scored two classic centre-forwards headers. Russo started the other two matches, against South Korea and Belgium, managing a single goal. There was, therefore, a genuine debate about Englands best option up front: Russo or Daly.

But Daly has not received many more chances. She was a substitute in the penalty-shootout victory in the Finalissima against Brazil this time last year, and also the 2-0 home defeat by Australia, where she partnered Russo in the final half hour, playing just off her. She did start up front in a goalless draw with Portugal shortly before the World Cup, but was substituted at half-time and dropped for Russo for Englands opening 1-0 win over Haiti.

From then, Daly returned to the side as a left-back and left wing-back, starting the next six matches, including the final. When England were 1-0 down at half-time to Spain, Wiegman surprisingly took off both Russo and Daly, who might have fancied her chances of being switched up front. No that was her tournament over, and Wiegman ended up turning to third-choice Bethany England and regular plan B Millie Bright.

Since then, Russo has generally led the line. Even when Wiegman has left the Arsenal forward out, she has favoured a rotating trio with Lauren Hemp usually deployed through the middle rather than in her usual position on the wing.

This week, it seems, was the final straw for Daly. She was not used at all in the 1-1 draw against Sweden. Russo started up front, headed in the opener, and when substituted 10 minutes from time, winger Chloe Kelly came on, and Hemp moved up front. For the trip to the Republic of Ireland, with Wiegman making five changes, Daly might have expected a rare start. No she got only four minutes to impress.

GO DEEPER

Bronze seems undroppable for England - but should she be?

All of which has prompted the early retirement of a striker who has outscored Russo 29-16 in the WSL since Euro 2022. Most would agree Russos all-round game is superior, particularly in terms of bringing others into play, and it is reasonable that Wiegman considers her a better option.

But you can understand the frustration from Dalys perspective: getting a chance up front, taking it with two great headers against Italy, and then only being sporadically used in that role. To Dalys great credit, she has never complained about being used at left-back, but now finds herself behind Niamh Charles in the pecking order. Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter might also be preferred in that role when Bright and Leah Williamson are available for selection together in the middle, for the first time in over a year.

Dalys retirement is a huge personal decision. She is only 32, and surely has another few years left in her. She would surely have travelled to Euro 2025 next summer. With respect to Aston Villa, she does not play for one of the WSLs title contenders, so international football was her best chance of winning another major trophy. It must also be acknowledged that a players commercial opportunities are much greater when they are involved with England, whose popularity remains absolutely huge despite a slightly disappointing recent run of form.

For England, this is a significant blow. Russo was the only other proper centre-forward in this weeks squad selection. Her form is inconsistent, and if she goes down injured then Wiegman will probably be counting on Tottenham striker England in and out of the squad over the past couple of years. Ebony Salmon has also been involved, but is ultimately Dalys back-up at Villa. Nikita Parris, who was part of the Euro 2022 squad and has scored eight WSL goals this season, is another option. Chelseas Aggie Beever-Jones is promising, but a different type of attacker and has only nine WSL starts to her name. Hemp still seems at home on the wing. None of these players compare to the player who is for a couple of months still the WSLs current Golden Boot holder.

All of which leaves us to conclude that Wiegman, seemingly so adept at keeping non-playing squad members happy, has played this situation badly and perhaps taken Daly for granted.

There are some who insist playing for your country is a privilege that should never be refused, but 32-year-olds dont want to spend their time constantly getting call-ups, travelling around Europe, giving 100 per cent in training and then not getting a chance, especially when the alternative is conditioning your body properly for upcoming WSL tests. Wiegmans coaching of England has been outstanding for the most part, but Dalys retirement, for the first time, will lead to questions about her managerial acumen.

(Top photo: Naomi Baker The FA via Getty Images)

Originally posted here:
Daly's England retirement is understandable but it raises difficult questions for Wiegman - The Athletic

In the 1950s, the Duarte's Westminster Gardens retirement community began as a place for Presbyterian missionaries to retire after returning to the United States. These days, the 32-acre property houses older adults from all stripes of life a non-profit life plan community. Soon, it could continue on that path, but with brand new buildings.

A notice issued by the City of Duarte indicates that an update to the Westminster Gardens specific plan is entering the environmental review stage. The project site, bounded by Huntington Drive to the north, Central Avenue to the south, Santa Domingo Avenue to the West, and Bradbourne Avenue to the east, sits just northeast of the A Line's Duarte Station.

Currently, the Westminster Gardens campus is developing with 149 units of independent and assisted living housing in a variety of low-rise structures, which L.A. County Assessor records date to the 1920s and 1960s. Phased redevelopment could replace many of those structures with a total new structures featuring a combined sum of 550 affordable and market-rate independent living units, as well as new assisted living and memory care units.

Proposed conceptual planCity of Duarte

The completion of the project proposed by the specific plan updated could result in 400 more homes and 625,000 square feet of new development relative to what exists today, including new back-of-house functions, resident amenities, and retail space.

Plans from MIG show a new mixed-use building at the northwestern corner of the site, with buildings between three and four stories in height scattered throughout the property, and smaller independent living cottages located at the western and southern sides of the lot. Plans also show new park space located along Huntington Drive to the north, and the retention of the existing Morrison House at the southwest corner of the site.

According to a project description, redevelopment of the Westminster Gardens site would occur incrementally over a 15-to-20-year span.

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Redevelopment planned for 32-acre Westminster Gardens retirement community in Duarte - Urbanize LA