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Tax Season News and Survival Tips It’s not easy to keep up with complex tax laws that always seem to be changing, much less figure out how they might affect you personally. Even so,…

In March 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first federal limits for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in public drinking water. PFAS are often called “forever” chemicals because…

The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022, included numerous provisions affecting retirement savings plans, including some that impact required minimum distributions (RMDs). Here is a summary of several important changes, as well as…

In a 2022 survey, consumers were first asked to quickly estimate how much they spend on subscription services each month, then a while later, they were directed to break down and itemize their monthly…

It’s no surprise that consumers are contacted by debt collectors about medical bills more than any other type of debt.1 After all, the complex world of medical billing and collection practices is extremely difficult…

The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in December 2022, made wide-ranging changes to U.S. tax laws related to retirement savings. While some provisions were effective in 2023, others did not take effect until 2024. Here…

More than seven out of 10 current workers in a recent survey said they expect a paycheck to play a role in their income strategy beyond traditional retirement age. In fact, 33% expect to…

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included provisions intended to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees and slow drug spending by the federal government. According to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office,…

According to an October 2023 survey, higher interest rates impacted more than half of small businesses, and over 20% reported that higher rates and tighter lending standards influenced their hiring decisions.1 Small businesses paid…

Despite high interest rates and unsettling geopolitical conflict, the U.S. economy outperformed the expectations of most economists in 2023.1 Inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (Real GDP) accelerated to an annualized rate of 5.2% in the…

They say it’s better to give than to receive, but doing both while reducing your income tax liability may be appealing. The SECURE 2.0 Act, included in the federal spending bill passed in late…

Medicare covers only 60% of total health-care costs for Americans age 65 and older.1 Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and payments for services not covered by Medicare can result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses. And there is…

Stock market downturns can be rough on your portfolio’s bottom line, but they may also offer the potential to reduce your tax liability and possibly buy shares at a discount. When an investment loses…

If you’ve recently received an inheritance, you may be facing many important decisions. Receiving an inheritance might promote spending without planning, but don’t make any hasty decisions. Here are some suggestions that could help…

After years of low yields, bonds are offering higher yields that may be appealing to investors regardless of their risk tolerance. While bonds could play a role in any portfolio, they can be a…

If your employer offers health insurance benefits, one of your options may be a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with eligibility for a health savings account (HSA). These plans offer potential savings by encouraging you…

A financial crisis : such as a job loss or medical emergency : can strike when you least expect it. It is important to be prepared by having a financial safety net in place…

Oil prices have increased more than 30% since late June, driving up transportation costs for consumers and businesses and putting financial markets on edge. On September 27, West Texas Intermediate crude : the U.S.…

If you own a business, you might be able to use one of these two new federal tax credits to help offset your cost to purchase certain clean vehicles (including electric, plug-in hybrid, and…

Teenagers with part-time or seasonal jobs earn some spending money while gaining valuable work experience. They also have the chance to contribute to a Roth IRA : a tax-advantaged account that can be used…

A sound retirement plan should be based on your particular circumstances. No one strategy is suitable for everyone. Once you’re retired, your income plan should strive to address four basic objectives: earn a reasonable…

Helping a grandchild obtain a college degree could be a lifelong gift, but grandparent giving has often required fiscal gymnastics to avoid reducing a student’s financial aid eligibility. That is changing with the 2024–2025…

Can Consumers Keep Carrying the Economy? Consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), so it plays an outsized role in driving economic growth or slowing it down.1 For the…

Mutual funds pool investment dollars from many individual investors to purchase a group of selected securities aimed at meeting a particular objective. This offers a convenient way to invest across a wide range of…

Transformative Tech: Will AI Upend the American Workforce? A chatbot with uncanny human-like writing abilities has become the poster child for artificial intelligence (AI) since it was released in late 2022, inspiring new levels…