Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to get your parent off the hook for your student loans. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on open enrollment and HSA vs. HFA, getting a side gig while on unemployment, and 5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020

How to Get Your Parent Off the Hook for Your Student Loans
Refinancing and co-signer release can get a parent’s name off of student loans.

Smart Money Podcast: Open Enrollment and HSA vs. FSA
Open enrollment is underway.

Can You Get a Side Gig While on Unemployment?
Depends on state law.

5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020
Preparing for the new year.

Q&A: Your prized collection isn’t going to sell itself

Dear Liz: I am in the process of winding down my duties as executor of the estate of a 91-year-old gentleman who, like the reader who wrote to you, had a prized collection. I had repeatedly urged him to dispose of his prized things. I reasoned that because he was retired and had the time, and because he knew the story behind his prized items, he was in a far better position to find a buyer than I would ever be. (Knowing the provenance of the item is important because people purchase the story, not just the item itself.) He did dispose of some of the more valuable things and actually got some good cash, which he was able to enjoy. But he didn’t follow my advice completely, which meant that when he died, I had to deal with his remaining prized collectibles.

My suggestion to any older person who has collectibles is: Don’t wait to dispose of items that have market value. If you’re retired and have the time, sell the items yourself! If you don’t need the cash, deposit the money into the bank account that will pass to your heirs in due course. Don’t burden your executor — who is probably still working full time and who has bigger things to deal with, like your house, car and investment accounts — with disposing of your collectibles.

Answer: Obviously, parting with collectibles can be tough. The alternative, though, could be that precious items wind up in a yard sale or a dumpster. Collectors who sell get the satisfaction of knowing that the items are going to people who really want them.

Q&A: His new job won’t hurt future Social Security benefits

Dear Liz: I am 67 and currently receiving a Social Security survivor’s benefit based on my deceased spouse’s work record. At 70, I plan to switch to my own Social Security retirement benefit. I’ve been offered a part-time position with a charity that I’d like to accept. However, I am concerned about how it will affect my Social Security. If I show earned income this year, it will knock off one of my 35 highest-earning years. If I stay in this position for many years, as I hope to do, each year could knock off a high-earning year. I’ve offered to do the job for free, but that is not an option for them. My high-earning years are in the $55,000 range, while this job pays maybe $6,000 a year. Am I wrong? Is not working reducing my benefit, and should I switch to my Social Security now?

Answer: Social Security can be surprisingly complicated, which is why it’s so easy to get the facts wrong and make unfortunate choices.

“Highest earning” means just that. A current year can’t “knock off” a previous year unless you make more than you did in that prior year. Only if you make more than one of those prior years will the older year be dropped from the formula. And if that happens, your benefit would go up, not down.

So take the job, enjoy giving back to your community, and allow your own benefit to continue growing by 8% each year until it maxes out at age 70.

Q&A: Refinancing brings tax questions

Dear Liz: I recently refinanced my house and got $9,400 cash back. I also received a $2,400 escrow check from my previous mortgage lender. Is this money taxable? Should I put away a certain percentage of it to pay those taxes? My plan is just to put it back into household repairs (fireplace, painting, etc.).

Answer: You got cash back because you took out a larger loan than the one you previously had. You have to pay that money back, so it’s not taxable income. The escrow check represents a refund of money you’d already paid to the first lender. You don’t get taxed on that, either.

Q: They paid off the mortgage. Then the credit score fell. Can that be right?

Dear Liz: My wife and I recently paid off our mortgage. We have no other debt. Soon after, I received a message from Experian that my FICO score, which has been perfect for quite a while, was reduced by 31 points. What justifies such action, and what do I need to do to bring up my score?

Answer: Credit scores were never intended to be a measure of anyone’s financial health. Instead, they were created to help lenders gauge the risk that an applicant would default on a loan or credit card debt.

Having a mix of types of credit, including installment loans (such as a mortgage) and revolving accounts (such as credit cards), generally helps your credit score. Because the mortgage was your only installment loan, that could have led to a larger-than-normal effect on your scores.

If your previous score was “perfect,” or 850 on the FICO scale, then there’s nothing you need to do. Once your scores are over about 760, you’re getting the best rates and terms, and there’s typically no other benefit to shoot for, other than bragging rights.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The upsides to thinking about when you will die. Also in the news: The upside to ETFs, how debt collectors are invading social media, and 6 financial military benefits for service members and veterans.

The Upsides to Thinking About When You Will Die
A good life expectancy estimate helps you know how much to save, when to retire and when to start Social Security.

Sure, Stocks Are Fun. But ETFs Are Smart
Diversify.

Debt Collectors Can Find You on Social Media Now
Debt collectors are sliding into your DMs.

6 Financial Military Benefits for Service Members and Veterans
Military members and their families have access to special benefits, and new rules make these programs even more valuable.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Which airline brands have the best and worst fees. Also in the news: How to get preapproved for a credit card, which hotel brands have the best and worst fees, and why you should never quit your job without a plan.

Airline Fee Rankings: Which Brands Have the Best (and Worst) Fees?
Some airlines sneak in extra charges for baggage and seat selection that can bust your travel budget.

Can I Get Preapproved for a Credit Card?
Preapproval is less common than pre-qualification, which is not a guarantee that you won’t be rejected.

Hotel Fee Rankings: Which Brands Have the Best (and Worst) Fees?
Resort fees, parking charges and pet deposits can really add to your room cost at some hotels.

Don’t Quit Your Job Without a Plan
Resist the impulse.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t skip these steps when borrowing parent student loans. Also in then news: How to build a home office without breaking the bank, medical student borrowing slows, and the easiest way to lower the interest rate on your credit card.

Don’t Skip These Steps When Borrowing Parent Student Loans
Assess your financial situation and talk openly with your child before borrowing parent student loans.

How to Build a Home Office Without Breaking the Bank
Decide where you’ll invest to make a home office that’s comfortable and productive, as well as affordable.

Med Student Borrowing Slows, but Debt Still an Issue
In the class of 2019, 73% of medical students took out loans; their median debt was $200,000.

The Easiest Way to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Get ready to spend some time on the phone.

The upsides to thinking about when you will die

Social Security’s life expectancy calculator predicts I’ll live to about 86. An insurance company’s version says I should expect to die at 98. A longevity calculator created by actuaries demurs, putting the odds at only 32% that I’ll make it to 95.

Eventually, I’ll find out which life expectancy calculator was most accurate. In the meantime, the different results help illustrate one of the most important and difficult calculations in retirement planning: figuring out when it will end.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why life expectancy matters.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 tax triggers new investors need to know about. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on identity theft and financial stability, how to compare Medicare Advantage plans, and how to save your finances by avoiding these common mistakes.

4 Tax Triggers New Investors Need to Know About
Advice from the tax pros.

Smart Money Podcast: Financial Stability and Identity Theft
Creating financial stability in an unstable world.

Medicare Advantage Plans: How to Compare
Medicare Advantage Plans are an alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private insurers. Here’s how to shop.

Save Your Finances by Avoiding These Common Mistakes
Some errors are more costly than others.