Key Points A spouse’s death may force you to choose between claiming a retirement benefit and a survivor benefit. You may be able to strategically delay one and then switch benefits later to maximize your household income. Contact the Social Security Administration to switch benefit types. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook […]
Image source: Getty Images If your score is sitting at 750, the fastest way to reach 800 is to fine-tune one number: your credit utilization. That’s the share of your available credit you’re actually using. Here’s a quick refresher in what makes up your typical FICO® Score: Payment History (35%) Credit utilization (30%) Length of […]
Key Points Few announcements are more anticipated by retirees than the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) reveal. Two of President Donald Trump’s policies are boosting the prevailing inflation rate, thereby setting up Social Security beneficiaries for a historic raise in 2027. However, annual Trump bumps are digging an even bigger hole for Social Security. […]
Key Points How much of the windfall is passed on to policyholders will vary by insurer. It’s possible that insurers will expand services like wellness programs and prevenitive care. More attractive plans may lead to higher enrollment in Medicare Advantage. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The federal government has announced […]
Image source: Getty Images Buy now, pay later (BNPL) can feel “free” at the checkout. The catch is how fast that free window slams shut. Among people who fell behind on a payment, 64% got charged for it, according to Motley Fool Money research. A 0% intro APR credit card solves that exact problem. Instead […]
Key Points The historical average increase is 2.6%. Experts are predicting an increase of 3.4% to 3.6% to be announced in October. There may be a big decrease coming within a decade. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re a retiree collecting Social Security benefits — or you’re just a […]
Key Points Earlier this year, one Social Security expert was projecting a 4.7% COLA for 2027. At this point, a raise in the mid-3% range looks more likely. While a smaller COLA might seem disappointing at first, there’s a big perk that comes with getting a smaller boost. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees […]
By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. I’m not much of a contrarian. By definition, contrarians are wrong most of the time. Fighting the herd only tends to work at the extremes. Here’s one of my most contrarian opinions right now: I’m not worried about a U.S. government debt crisis. We […]
Ben Carlson
Key Points By age 35, you’ve hopefully started to build some retirement savings. The good news is that you may have three more decades of wealth building ahead of you. If you’re struggling to find money for your 401(k), a careful budget review could be in order. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely […]
Key Points The average retiree on Social Security today collects about $25,000 a year. With very low expenses, retiring on just Social Security may be feasible. It’s best to set yourself up with outside income so you don’t end up having to pinch pennies. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s […]
Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that Vanguard is planning to acquire RIA custodian Altruist and how it is likely to send ripples across the wealth management and asset management spectrum. While it immediately provides Altruist with the backing of an enormous […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points The 2027 Social Security COLA will almost certainly be larger than the 2.8% 2026 COLA. However, it may come in lower than the current 3.6% estimate. We’ll learn the actual 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › We won’t know the 2027 Social Security […]
Key Points Seniors are not required to take required minimum distributions from every traditional IRA and 401(k) you have; the rules are different for each type of account. Even if you are old enough that its time for RMDs from your current 401(k) to kick in, you can skip them if you’re still working and […]
Key Points You don’t need to part with a ton of money each month to build a strong nest egg. Saving $300 monthly over a long period of time could lead to solid savings. The right investment strategy is key. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason workers are […]
Image source: Getty Images If you missed a buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment, you’re not alone. About 29% of BNPL users have paid late at some point, according to Motley Fool Money research. Life gets busy, a due date slips, and suddenly you’re wondering what it’s going to cost you. The short answer: it […]
Key Points The 2027 Social Security COLA projection has declined to 3.6% and could fall further in the coming months. If inflation slows, the COLA will be lower than current estimates suggest. We’ll learn the official 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The 2027 Social […]
Key Points Typically, retirement benefits from Social Security are earned by paying into the system. If you don’t have enough of an earnings history to qualify, you may still be able to claim Social Security on a spouse’s record. It’s important to understand how spousal Social Security benefits work and when to file. The $23,760 […]
By Jonathan Ping, originally published at My Money Blog. GalaxyOne is a fintech super-app that combines a checking account, stock trading, and crypto. Checking account is through Cross River Bank, FDIC. Brokerage is through FIN2, a FINRA/SIPC member firm. Digital assets are held in custodial wallets with Paxos Trust Company, a New York State-chartered trust […]
Jonathan Ping
