Hurrah December ❄️. We’re energized by the holiday season with its brightest lights, lush decorations and good food and company. In the spirit of savoring the season and enjoying the moment, grab yourself a cuppa and settle in for a great read:

• Sid Pailla – Double-clicking on Emergency Savings – what we’re learning

• Fresssh! State Auto IRA metrics

• Key updates from California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Mexico

• *Announcement* and Introductions – to DCIIA

• The latest and best news you need: Hot Sauce and Cool Stuff

• Pix of the week – Goodies for our super-scrollers!

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

As nature gets ready for its last hurrah before winter sets in here in the Northern Hemisphere, we have a bit of news to share. So, pull up a cushion and a blanket, grab a hot cocoa, and enjoy some perspectives, from a warmer place:

• What the Smallest Employers Want - with Gusto's Steve Abbott

• State Auto IRA metrics

• Key updates from California, Colorado, New Mexico and Maine

• News! - a shift is coming at Massena Associates, and we are excited to share!

• Hot Sauce, Cool Stuff: this week's must reads

• Pix of the week – retirement security ruminations from the land of George Washington, in excellent company.