Each year, Social Security benefits may increase with a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), but higher Medicare premiums can reduce how much of that raise reaches your monthly budget. Since both are calculated differently, they do not necessarily move at the same rate. Comparing the dollar value of your COLA with changes…
If you’re 65 with $900,000 and no pension, the income your portfolio can provide depends on how much you withdraw and the number of years your savings need to last. Taking too large a withdrawal early in retirement could increase the risk of running short later, while spending too little…
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost $115,000…
Home improvements can make your home more comfortable, raise its value and lower energy costs over time. Some projects may also qualify for tax credits or deductions. These tax breaks can reduce what you owe when you file your taxes. In other cases, the cost of improvements can increase your…
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Major changes to federal student loan repayment rules went into effect this month and are rippling across the system. Many…
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How Does Medical Debt Happen? Some health costs don’t fit into a monthly budget. A major dental procedure or a new health problem can be hard to plan for. It’s common to end up financing the gap, whether that’s a clinic’s own payment plan, a…
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By Carmen Chan You’ve got your mortgage and car loan to pay, credit card bills and HELOC payments, and a running list of…
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Team Name: Musgrave Dunn & AssociatesFirm: Merrill Wealth ManagementSenior Members: Travis Musgrave, Timothy Dunn, Valerie MarshallLocation: Lexington, KYTeam Custodied Assets: $1.4 billionBackground: Travis…
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Imagine. Mary Poppins floats down onto your front lawn to attend a party. She snaps shut her umbrella and strolls in for some games and hors d’oeuvres. But before she can even reach the charcuterie board, she trips on a stray croquet ball and smashes her tailbone, shouting supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Next thing you…
Everyone needs insurance, right? And nobody should exploit that need to line their own pockets. Sadly, that’s just what many insurance companies do! So you have to be on the lookout for the sneaky expenses they slide into their packages that drive up your insurance bill. By making a few…
Remember the days when getting gasoline for your car cost you under $1 a gallon? Okay, maybe not. Some of us weren’t even born or driving a car yet (hi there, 1988).1 But those sure sound like nice times. Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! As we’re…
When it comes to building wealth, you can’t overestimate the importance of having a great financial advisor. More than half of investors (55%, to be exact) who work with a financial advisor said they saved more for retirement than they would have on their own.1 The National Study of Millionaires…
So, how much does a wedding cost? The answer is $30,000 for the ceremony and reception—and bump that number to $40,900 if you add in the engagement ring and the honeymoon.1,2 Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! What all exactly does that total include? Honestly, the…
There she is! Walking toward me! What do I say? Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! We’ve all been there—not knowing what to say during a social situation. And in this mindlessly digital age, live, in-person exchanges seem rarer (and harder) than ever. At the biological,…
The highest court in the land said nope to President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive $430 billion of student loan debt. In a 6-to-3 decision on June 30, the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s student loan debt relief program, which would have forgiven up to $20,000 in student loans per…
Everyone has spending limits—even the government. Believe it or not, though the American government has a habit of spending like it’s going out of style, there’s actually a limit to the amount of debt it can take on. This limit is called the debt ceiling. And since 1960, the government…
Recent worries about inflation, high interest rates and chaotic global events have kept experts and investors queasy about the stock market and the economy overall. That fear and uncertainty have led to whispers about another recession or a potential stock market crash—the first since the start of the coronavirus pandemic…
Ahh, sweet summertime. It’s the season for hangouts by the pool, neighborhood barbecues, family vacations and all things outdoors. But while those and all our other favorite warm-weather activities are fun, they aren’t exactly free—and the costs can spin out of control if you aren’t careful. So, to make sure you stay…
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