City of Lynn Financial Wellness Series - Fall 2026

City of Lynn Financial Wellness Series

Building Financial Confidence, One Workshop at a Time

The City of Lynn is committed to supporting the financial well-being of our employees. Our Financial Wellness Series offers free educational workshops led by local experienced professionals on topics that impact every stage of life—from buying your first home to preparing for retirement.

Each session is designed to provide practical information in a welcoming environment and includes time for audience questions.


Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Retirement Planning Basics & Preparing for Retirement

Are you on track for retirement? This educational workshop will provide an overview of the essential elements of retirement planning, including Social Security benefits, pension income, individual retirement savings, and income planning strategies. Participants will learn how these components work together to support long-term financial security and what factors to consider when planning for retirement.

Whether you're just beginning to save or nearing retirement, this session offers practical information to help you better understand your options and prepare for the future. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask general questions and gain additional insights.

This session will be hosted by our partners from Equitable:

Marc Foley, CFP Gabriella Koziol
Financial Advisor Financial Advisor  
781-237-8230 781-237-8294
[email protected] [email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  September 1 – Retirement Planning Basics & Preparing for Retirement


Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Understanding 457, 403(b), and Roth Accounts

Learn the key differences between common retirement savings options, including 457 plans, 403(b) plans, and Roth accounts. This session will help employees understand how each account works, how contributions are made, and how to evaluate which options may align with their long-term financial goals.

This session will be hosted by:

Kent Niebuhr, CRES 
Financial Advisor
Lincoln Investment
781-619-3399
[email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  September 8, 2026 - Understanding 457, 403(b), and Roth Accounts


Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Age-Based Financial Planning

Explore how financial priorities evolve throughout different stages of life and the strategies that can be most effective at each phase. This session will focus on practical approaches to budgeting, saving, and financial planning tailored to early, mid, and late career stages, helping participants make informed decisions as their needs and goals change over time.

This session will be hosted by our partners from Metro Credit Union:

Diana Moreno, AVP Metro@Work Relationship Manager
Joseph Shea, Licensed Financial Advisor

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  September 22, 2026 - Age-Based Financial Planning


Tuesday, September 29, 2026

First-Time Homebuying

This workshop walks through the homebuying process from start to finish, including budgeting, mortgage basics, credit considerations, and the steps involved in purchasing a first home. Employees will gain practical insight into what to expect and how to prepare financially for homeownership.

This session will be hosted by:

Sean McCarthy
Vice President
Senior Loan Officer
Salem Five Mortgage Company | 35 Boston St. | Lynn, MA 01904
tel. 781.983.7216 | NMLS #181090 | [email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  September 29, 2026 - First-Time Homebuying


 Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Estate Planning Basics

Estate planning is about more than just creating a will—it's about protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are honored. This educational session will introduce the fundamental components of an estate plan, including wills, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other important legal documents.

Participants will learn why estate planning is important regardless of age or income level, how to avoid common mistakes, and how life events such as marriage, children, homeownership, or retirement can affect the need to update an estate plan. The session will also discuss practical steps to help organize important documents and prepare for the future.

Whether you're creating an estate plan for the first time or reviewing an existing one, this workshop will provide valuable information to help you make informed decisions and protect the people and assets that matter most.

This session will be hosted by Touchstone Law Offices:

Brandan Ward, Esq.
Partner
Touchstone Law Offices
781-496-2017
[email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  October 6, 2026 - Estate Planning Basics


Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Retirement Readiness: How Much Do You Really Need, and How Do You Get There

Many employees contribute to retirement plans such as a 457 or 403(b) and understand the importance of saving but still wonder: “Am I actually on track?”

This session focuses on the bigger picture of retirement planning by helping participants move from simply saving to confidently preparing for retirement. We’ll explore how to estimate your future income needs, evaluate whether your current savings rate is sufficient, and understand how different sources of retirement income, such as pensions, Social Security, and voluntary retirement plans, work together.

Key topics include:
• How to estimate how much income you may need in retirement
• Understanding the role of your pension alongside 457 and 403(b) savings
• Setting realistic savings goals based on your age and career stage
• The impact of starting early vs. increasing contributions later
• Common gaps that can derail retirement readiness
• Simple strategies to improve your retirement outlook over time

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where they stand today and practical steps they can take to improve their retirement readiness—no matter where they are in their career.

This session will be hosted by:

Brian Thomas, Financial Consultant
CCR Wealth Management, LLC
781-519-0461
[email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  October 27, 2026 - Retirement Readiness: How Much Do You Really Need, and How Do You Get There


Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Building a Retirement Strategy Beyond Your Employer Plan

This session explores how employees can strengthen their overall retirement strategy beyond their employer-sponsored plan. While highlighting how workplace retirement plans such as 457 and 403(b) accounts can be effectively utilized at different life stages, the discussion will also focus on how these accounts coordinate with personal savings tools such as Traditional and Roth IRAs.

Participants will gain insight into the importance of proper diversification and asset allocation across investment accounts, along with common financial mistakes to avoid during working years and in retirement. The session will also cover key concepts related to retirement income planning, including strategies for taking distributions and creating sustainable income in retirement.

The goal of this workshop is to help employees build a more comprehensive, long-term retirement strategy that supports financial confidence and flexibility throughout their retirement years.

This session will be hosted by:

Christopher Fogarty
Financial Advisor
Cetera Advisors LLC
781-254-4033
[email protected]

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  November 3, 2026 - Building a Retirement Strategy Beyond Your Employer Plan

 


Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Understanding Social Security: What Public Employees Need to Know

Recent changes to federal law have significantly impacted Social Security benefits for many public employees. In particular, the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) means that some workers who receive a public pension may now be eligible for higher Social Security benefits than they would have received under prior rules.

This educational session will explain how Social Security benefits are calculated, discuss the impact of the repeal of the WEP, and review important considerations for employees planning for retirement. Attendees will also learn strategies for coordinating Social Security with pensions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and personal savings to build a comprehensive retirement income plan.

Whether you are approaching retirement or still years away, this workshop will provide practical information to help you better understand your options and make informed decisions for the future. A live Q&A session will follow the presentation.

This session will be hosted by our partners from Metro Credit Union:

Diana Moreno, AVP Metro@Work Relationship Manager
Joseph Shea, Licensed Financial Advisor

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register here:  November 10, 2026 - Understanding Social Security: What Public Employees Need to Know