If you are employed at MASSMutual, it is imperative to consider exchange rates as an opportunity to capitalize and better plan your finances. In late September 2026, the U.S. dollar hit a 20-year high in an index that measures its value against six major currencies: the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Swedish krona, and the Swiss franc. At the same time, a broader inflation-adjusted index that captures a basket of 26 foreign currencies reached its highest level since 1985. Both indexes eased slightly but remained near their highs in October. ^1–2

Intuitively, it might seem that a strong dollar is good for the U.S. economy, but the effects are mixed in the context of other domestic and global pressures.

World Standard
Those employed by MASSMutual should be aware that the U.S. dollar is the world's reserve currency. About 40% of global financial transactions are executed in dollars, with or without U.S. involvement. ³  As such, foreign governments, global financial institutions, and multinational companies all hold dollars, providing a level of demand regardless of other forces.

Demand for the dollar tends to increase during difficult times as investors seek stability and security. Despite high inflation and recession predictions, the U.S. economy remains the strongest in the world. ⁴  Other countries are battling inflation, too, and the strong dollar is making their battles more difficult. The United States recovered more quickly from the post-pandemic era recession, putting it in a better position to weather inflationary pressures. This information may be useful for those working for MASSMutual as it may help you make decisions that better protect your assets.

Employees of MASSMutual should keep in mind how the Federal Reserve's aggressive policy to combat inflation by raising interest rates has driven demand for the dollar even higher because of the appealing rates on dollar-denominated assets such as U.S. Treasury securities. Some other central banks have begun to raise rates as well — to fight inflation and offer better yields on their own securities. But the strength of the U.S. economy allows the Fed to push rates higher and faster, which is likely to maintain the dollar's advantage for some time.



Exports and Imports
The strong dollar makes imported goods cheaper and exported goods more expensive. For those working for MASSMutual, cheaper imports are generally good for consumers and for companies that use foreign-manufactured supplies, but they can undercut domestic sales by U.S. producers.

At the same time, the strong dollar effectively raises prices for goods that U.S. companies sell in foreign markets, making it more difficult to compete, and reducing the value of foreign purchases. Employees at MASSMutual can take a U.S. company that sells 10,000 euros worth of goods as an example. The foreign buyer would receive less revenue when a euro buys fewer dollars. Some experts are concerned that the strong dollar will dampen the post-post-pandemic era rebound in U.S. manufacturing. ⁵  More broadly, the ballooning trade deficit cuts into U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), which includes imports as a negative input and exports as a positive input.

Before finalizing any estate plan, it is worth examining how MASSMutual's employer-sponsored benefits fit into the broader picture. According to publicly available information, MASSMutual maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, which provides retirement income based on factors such as years of service and compensation history. MASSMutual does not appear to offer a formal retiree healthcare program, making healthcare coverage planning an important consideration if you retire before age 65. Because the specifics of your pension formula, vesting schedule, and benefit eligibility depend on your individual employment history and plan documents, We encourage you to review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or speak with MASSMutual's HR or benefits team for the most current details.