Dear Liz: My husband has been on Social Security disability since he was 61. He’s now 69 and receives $1,700 a month. I will be turning 66 next year. I still work and want to file for spousal benefits, which would be half of his benefit, but I’m not sure what the best option is. […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Fear of a market meltdown has frozen this retiree’s money decisions
Dear Liz: I sold my home two years ago and still have not done anything with my gain of $200,000. It’s in a one-year certificate of deposit so at least it’s earning something while I try to figure out what to do with it. I’m 66, retired and have an IRA of $500,000 that’s invested […]
It’s time to fix Social Security’s tax burden
People on Social Security need a tax break. The rest of us need to make sure they get it — for everyone’s sake. When Congress made Social Security benefits taxable in 1983, lawmakers didn’t index the tax thresholds to inflation. They “forgot” inflation again when adding a second layer of taxation in 1993. That means […]
Q&A: Mysterious bank charge needs investigating
Dear Liz: The other day I went to my credit union to withdraw $1,000 to pay for my sister’s burial. The bank teller kept $90 and gave me only $910. Is that done when a person withdraws cash from a bank account? I got very angry and complained to the manager of the bank, but […]
Q&A: One auto-pay misstep and her credit score falls off a cliff
Dear Liz: I recently took a deduction in my Experian FICO score of more than 100 points due to a single late payment to my mortgage. My score of 810 dropped to 704. The mortgage company notified me several months ago that my impound account would go up $51 a month due to higher homeowners […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: 5 smart ways to use and repay holiday debt. Also in the news: Gamifying your financial goals, what your credit card rental car coverage doesn’t include, and how much the wrong savings account cost you in 2018. 5 Smart Ways to Use and Repay Holiday Debt Reward yourself for giving. Budgeting No […]