Happy November! If that sounds like the year is moving to a close quickly, we agree. Small solace: embrace the “yum!”. You might have a favorite food-related holiday this month. We're going with #10, National Vanilla Cupcake Day. But we digress. Grab that cupcake and catch up on the latest in retirement innovation:

• Natalie Braswell and Jessica Muirhead on MyCTSavings – access, equity, and early results

• *Fresh* State Auto IRA metrics

• Key updates from Connecticut, Illinois, New Mexico, New York State, Virginia and a Global update with cross-border application

• *New* savings training programs broadly available with NAST’s Kari Arfstrom

• Intriguing shorts in Hot Sauce, Cool Stuff -- Don't save yet?

• This week's PIX! - from the Chesapeake Bay to a living room in Oregon

Even though many costs decline in the retirement years, health care costs increase. As people get older, they visit their doctors more frequently and use more prescription drugs. In addition, healthcare costs tend to outpace inflation. Retiree medical costs are a significant expense, and yet another reason why creating opportunities to encourage workers to save for their retirement years throughout their careers is so important.

Andrew Remo has worked for the American Retirement Association’s government affairs department for more than eight years. He advocates before Congress and in the States for policies that achieve the American Retirement Association’s mission to give every working American the ability to have a comfortable retirement. Expanded - may we say more universal - coverage is a priority for the organization. We talk here about what that looks like.