41 States That Don’t Tax Social Security Benefits
You can increase your Social Security benefits in several ways: Work at least 35 years in jobs that qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Wait at least until your full retirement age to claim your benefits. Once you’re fully retired and receiving Social Security, though, your benefit amount will only increase with annual cost-of-living adjustments […]
3 Smart Reasons to Open a New Credit Card Before 2025
Image source: Getty Images We’re just a couple of months away from 2025, and no, I can’t believe it either. Even though people often save their financial changes for after New Year’s, there’s no reason you need to wait until then. If you’re searching for a way to improve your finances, don’t overlook getting a […]
Forget Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeletons: Check Out These 4 Halloween Decorations at Costco
Image source: Getty Images It’s spooky season, and although the 12-foot Home Depot skeletons steal the spotlight year after year, they’re not the only Halloween decoration that’ll turn heads. Oh, no. If you want some serious bang for your buck, go check out your local Costco. It has an assortment of all the best (and […]
Here’s the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit at 62, 67, and 70
If you’ve worked a long and highly compensated career, you may be in line for the maximum possible Social Security benefit when you retire. But even if you qualify for the largest possible retirement check, the age at which you claim can still have a massive effect on the ultimate size of your check. There’s […]
Interest Rates Are Falling. Are Your Credit Card Rewards Safe?
Image source: Getty Images Last month, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by half a percentage point. It’s also expected to cut rates again in November. That’s welcome news for anyone who’s house hunting and planning to apply for a mortgage in the near future. But rate changes have a widespread financial impact, […]
Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Whose Gift Cards Are Better?
Image source: Getty Images Joining Costco and Sam’s Club isn’t just about bulk shopping. It’s not about the free samples either. Sure, the gas prices are legendary, but very few of either club’s products can offer such clear-cut savings as their gift card packages. Call me optimistic, but buying gift cards at either club can […]
Should You Retire in South Dakota?
Seeing Mount Rushmore might already be on your bucket list, but retiring in South Dakota? That probably hasn’t crossed your mind yet — though maybe it should. South Dakota ranks favorably in terms of cost of living, per the MERIC Index, and there are plenty of other reasons why you might want to give it […]
If I Could Tell All Retirees 1 Thing About Social Security, I’d Say to Do This Before You Claim Benefits
There’s a lot of planning that needs to go into retirement. You have to figure out where you’ll live, what you’ll do with your time, and how you’ll manage your expenses. Social Security will likely play a big role with regard to the latter. Ideally, you’ll have some savings on top of Social Security. But […]
Though Social Security’s 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Will Be Above Average, the 2026 COLA Might Be Historically Low
The most important day of the year is nearly here for Social Security’s more than 68 million beneficiaries. In just five days, on Oct. 10, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will unveil the much-anticipated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which will allow beneficiaries to calculate how much they’ll receive per month next year. Based on more than […]
Most Near-Retirees Think It Will Be Difficult to Sign Up for Medicare. Here Are 3 Things You Need to Know for a Smooth Enrollment.
Although many seniors find that their general expenses decrease in retirement, healthcare is one cost that tends to rise. That’s because health issues tend to increase with age, and often, additional screening tests become necessary. The good news is that many workers are eligible for health coverage under Medicare. But surprisingly, 55% of near-retirees say […]