Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Changed travel plans on the menu this Thanksgiving. Also in the news: Online shopping already hit holiday-lvel peaks this year, when you can apply for a credit card after bankruptcy, and how the pandemic has made the racial retirement gap worse.

Changed Travel Plans on the Menu This Thanksgiving
Three in 5 U.S. adults who had Thanksgiving travel plans say these plans have been affected by the pandemic, according to a NerdWallet survey.

Online Shopping Already Hit Holiday-Level Peaks This Year
Shopping looks a little different this year.

When Can I Apply For A Credit Card After Bankruptcy?
Your options are limited.

The pandemic has made the racial retirement gap worse. Here’s how individuals can close it.Closing the racial retirement gap for people of color, even in this pandemic, could begin with broadening access and financial education.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What new debt collector rules mean for you. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on holiday travel and giving money advice to family, what to buy (and skip) on Black Friday, and questions to ask your realtor when selling your home.

What New Debt Collector Rules Mean for You
Find out where they can contact you.

Smart Money Podcast: Holiday Travel and Giving Money Advice to Family
The holidays are almost here.

What to Buy (and Skip) on Black Friday 2020
Start making your lists.

Questions to Ask Your Realtor When Selling Your Home
Important information.

Q&A: Retitling a deed after marriage

Dear Liz: Our house was titled “joint tenant with right of survivorship” after my husband inherited the property in 1998. As a same-sex couple, we were not married at the time. However, we legally married in 2013. Will one of us get the step-up in tax basis when the other passes, or do we have to retitle the house some way? We also want to avoid probate. We live in California.

Answer: As you know, California is one of the community property states that allows both halves of a property to get a step-up in tax basis when one spouse dies. This double step-up can be a huge tax saver, since none of the appreciation that happened before the death is taxed. Other community property states include Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. In Alaska, spouses can sign an agreement to make specific assets community property.

In contrast, in common law states, only half of the property gets the step-up to a new tax basis when one spouse dies. The other half retains its original tax basis.

Although assets acquired during a marriage are generally considered community property regardless of how they’re titled, in your case the property was acquired before marriage. The current title of joint tenants with right of survivorship would avoid probate, but it will not achieve full step-up in basis when the first spouse dies, said Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for tax research firm Wolters Kluwer.

Q&A: Retirees and mobile home parks

Dear Liz: I’ve been following the discussion of the reader who was 70 and trying to decide between renting in a senior living facility versus buying a second-floor condo with no elevator. There is a third choice for people who are older and cannot stay in their present residence. We moved to a senior citizen manufactured-home park. It has a clubhouse, and before the COVID epidemic the park had all kinds of activities. It is a great place for seniors.

Answer: That’s a good suggestion and actually just one of many choices people have to age safely. Many mobile home parks are “naturally occurring retirement communities,” a term for areas that weren’t necessarily created for seniors but that nonetheless have a high concentration of older folks. At their best, these organic retirement communities provide services and activities that benefit seniors, including opportunities for socializing and the sense that their neighbors are looking out for them.

Q&A: A young widow seeks help with Social Security survivor benefits

Dear Liz: My husband died at 30, making me a widow at 29. I did receive Social Security survivor benefits for our underage children, but what, if anything, am I entitled to as his wife? At the time of his death, we were living separately, although we were still legally married.

Answer: The earliest a widow or widower can get survivor benefits is typically age 60, unless they are disabled, when survivor benefits can begin at 50. Starting benefits before their own full retirement age of 66 to 67 means accepting a reduced payment, but widows and widowers have the option of switching to their own retirement benefit later. (Retirement benefits begin at a reduced amount at age 62 and reach their maximum at age 70.)

Like other Social Security benefits, survivor benefits also are subject to the earnings test if you start them before full retirement age. The earnings test reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn over a certain amount, which in 2020 is $18,240.

You mentioned receiving survivor benefits for your children, but you probably also received benefits then. A spouse caring for the children of a deceased worker is entitled to survivor benefits until the youngest of those children turns 16. (A child’s survivor benefits can continue until age 18, or 19 if the child is still in high school, or indefinitely if they are disabled and the disability began before age 22.) Each family member can receive up to 75% of the deceased worker’s benefit, but there’s a maximum any household can receive based on one worker’s earnings record. The limit varies but is generally 150% to 180% of the worker’s benefit.

If you had been divorced rather than separated when he died, you would still have been entitled to survivor benefits as the caretaker of underage children, no matter how long the marriage lasted. You would only receive regular survivor benefits at 60, however, if your marriage had lasted at least 10 years.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When life blows up your well-laid plans. Also in the news: How to shop Black Friday deals online, 5 things to consider when shopping for index funds, and how much you should have in your 401(k), based on your age.

When Life Blows Up Your Well-Laid Plans
A sudden change in your financial security can trigger a wealth of reactions, including grief and disorientation.

How to Shop Black Friday Deals Online
Smart Black Friday shopping begins with planning.

5 Things to Consider When Shopping for Index Funds
Index funds are a set-it-and-forget-it investment perfect for beginners, but it helps to know what to look for.

How Much You Should Have in Your 401(k), Based on Your Age?
The right amount at every stage.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What Biden’s win may mean for your student loan forgiveness and free college. Also in the news: 13 ways to leave scammers empty-handed this holiday season, credit card bonuses are at an all-time high, and 6 cybersecurity tips when you work from home.

What Biden’s Win May Mean for Your Student Loans and College Plans
A Biden victory signals possibilities for student loan forgiveness and free college.

13 Ways to Leave Scammers Empty-Handed This Holiday Season
Protect your mobile devices, recognize and avoid risks, and guard against ID theft while holiday shopping.

Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Are at All-Time Highs
Credit card companies really want your business.

6 Cybersecurity Tips When You Work From Home
Protecting yourself and your employer.

When life blows up your well-laid plans

Job loss, business failure, involuntary retirement, divorce, disability or the death of a breadwinner — these are just some of the ways our finances can force us to come up with a Plan B. That’s never as simple as downloading a list and ticking off completed assignments, however.

Checklists can be helpful, for instance when you’ve just been laid off. But the biggest task after financial loss may be dealing with your emotions after the future you had envisioned disappears. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to handle the unexpected bumps in the road.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Average retirement savings by age and why you need more. Also in the news: The best places to stash your cash for short, medium and long-term goals, smart tactics for millennials flocking to buy life insurance, and how get ready for gift card scams this season.

Average Retirement Savings by Age and Why You Need More
In general, Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. Are you?

The best places to stash your cash for short, medium and long-term goals
The many options depend on how much you hope to earn, and how far away your savings goal is

Smart tactics for millennials flocking to buy life insurance
Planning for tomorrow

Get Ready for Gift Card Scams This Holiday Season
Scams never take a holiday.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to turn unused credit card rewards into holiday gifts. Also in the news: Can college students booted for breaking COVID-19 rules get refunds, when to book your holiday travel, and how to get help from a food pantry.

How to Turn Unused Credit Card Rewards Into Holiday Gifts
You may be able to use rewards or credits to cover food, charitable donations, streaming services, exercise programs and more.

Can College Students Booted for Breaking COVID-19 Rules Get Refunds?
Be prepared for consequences, like suspension and lost financial aid, if you break your school’s COVID-19 rules.

Should You Book Holiday Travel Now or Later?
Booking your holiday travel early comes with more flexibility now than in past years.

How to Get Help From a Food Pantry
There’s no shame in needing help, especially right now.