Happy Late January, friends! Is it just us or is the year already speeding by? There's a lot going on in the world of retirement savings innovations. Warm yourself up with a steaming cup of something (did you know Jan. 31 marks National Hot Chocolate Day?) and read on:

• Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Illinois Secure Choice at Five – Wow!

• Key updates from California, Connecticut, and Maine

• Our first Correction (certainly not our first mistake though)

• A hot take on SECURE 2.0 - key features of the Saver’s Match

• Hot Sauce and Cool Stuff – Always an audience favorite!

• Swearings-in and more in Pix of the week

It is the dog days of August. Just for you, at the end of this edition, we’re going on a road trip together. And for now, snag yourself something icy and a comfortable chair, possibly in front of a fan. It’s time to catch up on the world of retirement savings innovation:

• Is retirement savings the ultimate ledger for personal financial wellness? This and four more hot topics from Aspen’s Ida Rademacher and Karen Andres

• We are BLOWING UP the state metrics this edition, check it out

• Updates from California, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey

• Anchors Away! Duke’s Perry Wright on these, and defaults

• Hot Sauce! Cool stuff just for you

• Whew! Pix of the week, possibly from your state …

Farewell June, you’re leaving us too soon! You’ve been eventful, though. Everybody’s active – the states, the federal legislature, the Supreme Court, the activists. We think it’s going to be a hot hot summer. Let’s start with a cool moment catching up on retirement security and celebrating some recent successes. Grab something cold and read on:

• David Bell, Sabra Purifoy and Renzo Meza on OregonSaves at Five – my, you’re looking so good!

• State metrics –May figures are in.

• Updates from California, Colorado and /New Mexico, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Delaware.

• Could innovation in housing help with retirement and financial security? Joel Metlen opines.

• Hot Sauce! … what 10 state Auto IRAs mean in the US, NEST insight’s annual conference returns this summer, and much more.

• PIX of the Week! – we’re taking you outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.