Ask Liz Weston

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Liz Weston

Q&A: IRAs, pensions and taxes

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Dear Liz: I contributed to an IRA during my working years. I’m now retired. Both my and my spouse’s IRAs are Roths, so we have no required minimum distributions. I’d like to continue contributing to an IRA, but neither I nor my spouse have W-2 or self-employment income anymore. We do, however, both collect pensions, which are taxed as ordinary income. Shouldn’t we be able to make IRA contributions, as we earned these pensions by working, and they are taxed exactly the same as our paychecks were taxed?

Answer: Nice try! There’s no longer an age limit for contributing to an IRA or a Roth IRA, but the IRS insists that those who contribute have earned income — which means wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions or net self-employment income. Payments from pensions and retirement funds don’t count as earned income.

Q&A: Wondering why your credit score is bad? Here’s how to make it better

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Dear Liz: I am trying to get my credit score figured out and was wondering if you have any recommendations for a credit report guru in my area? I need someone to walk me through why my score isn’t higher and to help me resolve that issue.

Answer: Unfortunately, many credit repair companies are scams. Even those that are legitimate are essentially selling you something you can do on your own, for free.

Understand first that you don’t have just one credit score: You have many, and they change all the time based on the information in your credit reports. Consider signing up for a service that provides you a free score that you can monitor over time. That can help you understand what behaviors help and hurt your credit. These services also typically give you reasons why your score isn’t higher. (You may be able to get a free credit score from your bank or a credit card issuer. If not, many sites online provide free scores.)

Next, get all three of your credit reports for free from AnnualCreditReport.com. (Type the address into your browser rather than using a search engine, since there are many look-alike sites. If you’re asked for a credit card, you’re on the wrong site.)

Look for obvious problems, such as accounts you don’t recognize or late payments being reported when you paid on time. Dispute incorrect information, using the links provided. Negative information that is correct can typically stay on your credit reports for seven years, although the impact on your scores should diminish over time.

In general, you can improve your scores by paying bills on time, using 10% or less of your available credit limits and having a mix of credit types (credit cards and installment loans). If you’re starting from scratch or trying to improve bad scores, consider a credit-builder loan from a local credit union or an online lender.

Q&A: Care planning for ‘solo agers’

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Dear Liz: My wife and I don’t have children or any relatives nearby. So far, we’re healthy and completely independent, but that won’t always be the case. Do you know of any fee-based agencies or organizations that might provide assistance with such things as arranging a caregiver if needed, or helping our executor clean out our home?

Answer: A geriatric care manager can help assess your needs as you age and come up with a plan to meet them, including arranging for caregivers or finding an assisted living facility. You can get referrals from the Aging Life Care Assn.

An estate liquidator or a professional organizer can help with clearing your home. You (or your executor) can get referrals from the American Society of Estate Liquidators and from the National Assn. of Productivity & Organizing Professionals.

Also consider building a community of friends and neighbors who can help you as you age, and vice versa. You might be able to get some help from the nonprofit Village to Village Network, which is a group of community-based membership organizations helping people to age in place. The books “Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?” by Joy Loverde and “Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers” by Sara Zeff Geber would be helpful reading.

How to ace late summer and fall sales

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To get the most out of summer sales, shoppers have to think ahead — sometimes way ahead.

That’s because end-of-summer sales are the ideal time to stock up on hot weather items that you’ll use a year from now. “Flip-flops, bathing suits, beach towels, grills, Adirondack chairs — at the end of the season, that’s when you’ll get the best prices of the year,” says Leah Ingram, who writes about saving money on her Real Sophisticated Consumer blog at LeahIngram.com.

“These sales help stores make room for the next seasonal holiday, and most importantly, they help keep consumers engaged with the brand or retailer during off-peak times,” says Katie Hansen, a senior retail and e-commerce analyst at Mintel, a market intelligence agency.

In Kimberly Palmer’s latest for the Washington Post, learn how to ace late summer and fall sales.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on seasonal housing market trends and travel credit card tips. In other news: How to survive a strike, act fast to preserve credit when a credit card issuer decides to close an account, and home hospital care is on the rise.

Smart Money Podcast: Seasonal Housing Market Trends, Travel Credit Card Tips
Seasonal housing market trends can have a big impact on homebuying (or selling!), which is why NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter joins today’s episode to discuss the latest patterns.

How to Survive a Strike
The more savings you can set aside in the event of a strike, the better you’ll feel about supporting the cause when the time comes.

Issuer Closing Your Credit Card? Act Fast to Preserve Credit
When a credit card issuer decides to close an account, there may be a narrow window of time to safeguard credit.

Home Hospital Care Is on the Rise — Is It Right for You?
The pandemic gave a boost to the concept of sending patients home for certain types of care. Here’s what to know.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on student loan repayments and midyear money review. In other news: What disability lawyers to and how much they cost, women’s soccer games are way cheaper than men’s, and  how can U.S. airport terminals be better.

Smart Money Podcast: Student Loan Repayments and Midyear Money Review
Learn how to conduct a midyear financial check-in with help from hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston, who offer practical advice for reassessing your financial situation and getting back on track if you’ve fallen behind.

Disability Lawyers: What They Do and How Much They Cost
A disability lawyer assists you with your SSDI application and appeal process. Their fees are capped by federal law.

Women’s Soccer Games Are Way Cheaper Than Men’s, So Cheer Them On
The National Women’s Soccer League is home to some of the best players on the planet.

Ask a Travel Nerd: How Can U.S. Airport Terminals Be Better?
Airport terminals across the country need improvements, starting with better infrastructure and quiet airport programs.