Dear Liz: My question relates to survivor benefits. How much does the surviving spouse receive in Social Security benefits if the higher-earning spouse dies at 59, before he ever became eligible? He worked for 40-plus years and met all the requirements except not reaching the minimum age. I plan to wait until next year when I’m […]
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This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Weekly mortgage rates dip, home price gains soften. In other news: New digital nomads on the block: families, why you should consider train travel in Europe, and 3 steps to take after transferring a balance to a new credit card. Weekly Mortgage Rates Dip, Home Price Gains Soften The drop brings the […]
Q&A: My parents cut my kid out of their will. (Ouch!) Can I give her some cash?
Dear Liz: My parents wrote my youngest daughter out of their will (my other children were left in). As both parents are now gone, I am in the process of settling the estate. I feel horrible that my parents did this. My daughter is very upset with me and her siblings for not sharing the inheritance. […]
Q&A: Is getting old reason enough to cancel some credit cards?
Dear Liz: Recently, someone asked if closing a credit card would be worth the hassle and you responded that there is no compelling reason to do so and in fact, it might hurt your credit scores. As an older person, I can think of two good reasons: theft and fraud. Many of us of a certain […]
Q&A: My ex-wife lent my money to her boss. What can I do?
Dear Liz: I recently found out that my ex lent one of her former bosses $2,500 to get his brother out of jail on bond. My ex took the money out of a joint account that I had opened with the inheritance I got when my dad died. It’s now been four years and I haven’t […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: June mortgage rates. In other news: Some big stores are cutting prices to woo back grocery shoppers, rename your ’emergency fund’ if that suits your saving style, and first-time home buyer affordability report – Q1 2024. June Mortgage Rates: Calm at Takeoff, Then Subject to Turbulence Mortgage rates probably won’t vary much in […]