KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Inflation Re-Acceleration Risk: CPI is forecast to climb from 2.39% toward 2.86%. This isn't runaway inflation, but a re-acceleration risk driven by energy and commodity pressure from Middle East tensions.
• Labor Market Softening: February saw a loss of 92,000 payrolls. While healthcare strikes distorted the data, genuine weakness is appearing in white-collar sectors (Information and Government). The market is cooling, not collapsing.
• The Quad Transition: We are entering March Quad 3 (Slowing Growth/Firm Inflation) with a high probability of Q2 Quad 4—historically the most challenging environment for broad equity "beta."
• The Liberty "Double-Max": Liberty University employees have a unique advantage: access to both 403(b) and 457(b) plans. By "stacking" these separate buckets, those over 50 can defer up to $61,000 annually.
• The 15-Year Catch-Up: A hidden gem for long-tenured staff at non-profits like Liberty and Centra. After 15 years of service, you may be eligible for an additional $3,000 annual contribution—a provision many never realize exists.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

The Inflation Forecast vs. The Headlines

We move past the reported consensus to look at the real drivers of your cost of living. Allan examines the risk of inflation re-accelerating toward 2.86%, driven by energy pressures. This matters more for your bond duration and cyclicals than it does for the news cycle. Periods of re-acceleration demand disciplined portfolio alignment rather than reactive decision-making.

Reading the Labor Market

The unemployment rate has moved to 4.4%. Allan pulls back the curtain on the "noise"—including a 37,000-job drop in physicians' offices—to reveal the real softness in white-collar pockets. The labor market is no longer "recession-proof," and creeping long-term unemployment signals a gradual shift in economic momentum.

The 2026 Roadmap: Quad 3 to Quad 4

Our model suggests a transition from March Quad 3 (where defensives improve) into a Q2 Quad 4 setup. Historically, this is a difficult environment for broad markets, rewarding selective leadership and high-quality balance sheets. In these periods, a "Wedge" differentiation—focusing on process over promises—is vital.

Inside the Container: Liberty University & TRBC

For the thousands of employees at Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church, the workplace plan is likely their largest asset. We explore the architecture behind these plans:

• The Liberty Advantage: Moving beyond the 5% match to utilize "stacking" strategies between Transamerica 403(b) and 457(b) accounts.
• Special Catch-Ups: Breaking down the $11,250 "Super Catch-up" (ages 60–63) and the 15-year service rule for non-profits.
• TRBC Focus: Understanding how to coordinate your 403(b) with household income and tax strategy to avoid missing out on compounding growth.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations across Lynchburg and Central Virginia. Allan is the host of Purpose Driven Finances, translating complex market cycles into calm, disciplined leadership.