Ask Liz Weston

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Liz Weston

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The myths and realities of building your credit. Also in the news: What to expect if you test positive for COVID while traveling abroad, how to handle a top travel concern that emerged this summer, and how to tell if your employer’s 401(K) plan is any good.

Building Your Credit: Myths and Reality
Separating truth from fiction.

What to Expect If You Test Positive for COVID While Traveling Abroad
Testing positive while abroad can be expensive, stressful and, quite frankly, kind of boring.

How to Handle a Top Travel Concern That Emerged This Summer
Overcrowding tops the list of concerns for travelers, but there are steps you can take to avoid a wait.

How to Tell If Your Employer’s 401(k) Is Actually Good
Any 401(k) plan with a match is better than nothing—but here’s how to know whether yours is among the best.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Make your money more exciting by keeping it boring. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on finding a new job and rent vs. buy in a new city, 7 ways to make more confident COVID-Era business decisions, and why you might finally qualify for student loan forgiveness.

Make Your Money More Exciting — By Keeping It Boring
Growing your net worth doesn’t have to be a thrill ride. Boring money management allows you to live your life while your nest egg grows in the background.

Smart Money Podcast: Finding a New Job and Rent vs. Buy in a New City
Getting what you want out of a new job.

7 Ways to Make More Confident COVID-Era Business Decisions
Here’s how to make COVID-era decisions with less anxiety.

You Might Finally Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness
New Public Service Loan Forgiveness rules mean hundreds of thousands of borrowers could have their loans forgiven faster than expected.

Q&A: When to start spousal benefits?

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Dear Liz: At what age do Social Security benefits stop for dependents? My child is 17 and is currently getting half of my Social Security amount. When her benefits stop, can I sign up my nonworking spouse to receive half of my benefits?

Answer: A minor child can receive up to half of a retirement-aged parent’s Social Security benefit. Child benefits typically end when the child turns 18, or up to 19 if the child is still a full-time high school student. If your child turns 18 during her senior year, for example, the benefits would stop when she graduates. If she turned 19 during her senior year, the benefits would end then.

Spousal benefits can begin as early as age 62, but the amount would be permanently reduced if started before the spouse’s full retirement age (which is 67 for people born in 1960 and later). Technically a spouse does not have to wait until child benefits stop before applying, but there is a limit to the total amount a family can receive based on one person’s work record. The amount varies from 150% to 180% of the worker’s full retirement benefit.

Q&A: Ask a tax pro before Roth conversion

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Dear Liz: I’m almost 70, still working, and I’ve got a decent-size IRA as well as a 403(b) that I plan to move to an IRA when I retire. Because I have a pension and other investments, I don’t think I’ll ever need the money in the IRA and 403(b). Should I convert to a Roth now so my kids (31 and 28) won’t have to pay taxes when they inherit it? I’ve got the cash to cover the taxes for the Roth conversion.

Answer: That would be a generous move, but you should consult a tax pro to make sure you understand the implications.

As you know, converting a pre-tax retirement account such as an IRA, 401(k) or a 403(b) to a Roth IRA can generate a sizable income tax bill. Such conversions can push you into a higher tax bracket and, if you’re on Medicare, also may increase your premiums.

You may want to spread the conversion over several years, converting just enough each year to “fill out” your tax bracket and avoid Medicare surcharges. A tax pro can help with those calculations.

Q&A: What’s the difference between ETFs, mutual funds and index funds?

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Dear Liz: What is the difference between ETFs, mutual funds and index funds?

Answer: Index funds are a type of mutual fund. Mutual funds and ETFs both allow you to buy a diversified mix of investments, but they’re structured differently.

Mutual fund shares are usually priced once a day, based on the value of their underlying assets minus liabilities. Investors buy and sell without knowing precisely what the share price will be, since that’s calculated after they place their orders with the mutual fund company. ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, by contrast, trade throughout the day on stock exchanges and can be worth more or less than the underlying investments, depending on demand.

Most mutual funds are actively managed. That means the underlying investments may frequently change as the fund manager tries to “beat the market” and get a better return than a market index or benchmark such as the Standard & Poor’s 500. All that trading increases a fund’s costs and usually doesn’t result in a higher return.

By contrast, index mutual funds just try to match the market benchmark. This is known as passive management. Less trading leads to lower costs and typically better returns.

Most ETFs are passively managed and have even lower costs than typical index mutual funds. ETFs are the investment of choice for robo-advisors, which offer automated investment management, but they also can be an inexpensive way for individuals to invest. Also, ETFs don’t have the investment minimums that can sometimes be a barrier to start investment with mutual funds.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How gratitude can help your financial life. Also in the news: What’s being fixed with student loan forgiveness, a new Smart Money podcast deep dive on investing strategies, and what happens when you’re too sick to pay your credit card bills.

How Gratitude Can Help Your Financial Life
Taking stock of what you have.

Student Loan Forgiveness: What’s Getting Fixed?
Public service loan forgiveness is being repaired.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dives: Investing, Part 3
Exploring investment strategies.

I Was in a Coma and Couldn’t Pay My Credit Card Bills
After a medical emergency, your card issuer may be able to make accommodations to lessen the financial strain.