Here’s How the 2025 Social Security COLA Ranks Historically
It’s finally here. With the September consumer price index (CPI) report now official, the Social Security Administration has announced the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Beneficiaries will be getting an increase of 2.5%. The annual Social Security COLA is based on the third-quarter change in the CPI-W, or Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and […]
6 Medicare Changes for 2025 That Retirees Need to Know About
The Medicare annual enrollment period begins on Oct. 15, and seniors everywhere will soon have an important decision to make. Unless they qualify for a special enrollment period, this will be their only opportunity to select a plan for 2025. That choice has a huge effect on their annual out-of-pocket retirement healthcare costs, so it’s […]
2 Nearly Effortless Strategies That Could Boost Your Retirement Savings by $116,000 or More
Saving for retirement is tough, especially as many Americans struggle to make ends meet, with costs remaining stubbornly high. However, it’s more important than ever to have a healthy nest egg. Social Security is facing cash flow problems that could affect benefits in the coming years, and few workers collect pensions or other sources of […]
Do You Qualify for Spousal Social Security Benefits? 3 Things to Know Before Applying.
There are many great things about Social Security benefits, including the fact they keep millions of retirees financially stable by providing steady income in their golden years. It’s not a flawless system, but it would be hard to argue against how valuable it has been for many Americans. And you don’t necessarily have to work […]
You’ll Beat Social Security’s 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) $49 Average Increase If Your Checks Are Higher Than This
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is always big news for the retirees who depend on these benefits, and that’s especially the case this year. Roughly four in five senior households say their monthly expenses have increased over the last 12 months, with more than three in five of these households worried about how they’ll […]
Will the Fed’s Rate Cuts Actually Lead to Lower Prices?
Image source: Getty Images In mid-September, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by half-a-percentage-point. And in the coming months, the Fed is likely to continue making rate cuts in response to cooling inflation. You may be inclined to celebrate the Fed’s rate cuts because they should lead to cheaper borrowing. You may soon […]
Bargain Hunting? Don’t Miss These 4 Deals at Five Below
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Many people are looking for ways to stretch their dollars further. One way to do this is by shopping at low-cost retailers like Five Below. If you have yet to shop here, consider strolling the aisles to see what items it has. There are great finds for kids and adults. […]
Here’s How Many Americans Have a Credit Score of 850. How Do You Compare?
Image source: Getty Images Having an amazing credit score is pretty great. My score is above 800, and I’ve been able to qualify for a low-interest mortgage, not to mention some awesome credit cards that provide top-notch perks. My score isn’t perfect, though. To be perfect, you’d need a FICO® Score of 850. The big […]
Social Security 2025 COLA: Here’s Exactly How Much Retirees Are Getting
Now that September’s inflation data has been revealed, the Social Security Administration has officially announced the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In this video, Matt Frankel, CFP®, discusses exactly how much it is and what it means to the millions of Social Security recipients in the United States. The $22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees […]
JPMorgan CEO Says the Fed’s Rate Cuts Are a ‘Minor Thing.’ Is He Right?
Image source: Getty Images It wasn’t exactly shocking that the Federal Reserve opted to cut its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point during its mid-September meeting. Due to cooling inflation, the general consensus expected the central bank to make its first rate cut last month. It was simply a question of whether it […]
