Dear Liz: I’m a female who has been with her male partner for 20 years. We are not married. In the event one of us dies, is the other entitled to the partner’s Social Security benefits? Or do we have to be legally married to qualify for benefits? Answer: Your genders don’t matter. Your marital […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Fiduciaries can help with estate trusts
Dear Liz: I enjoyed your recent column about spendthrift trusts. You’re right that when parents assign the job of trustee to one sibling for the benefit of another sibling, it creates a hazardous situation that often results in a court battle. The appointed professional trustee should be a neutral party. You recommended a bank or […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Why Americans should care about Brexit. Also in the news: Other insurance benefits you can count on, why millions of Americans prefer their credit card statements on paper, and simple budgeting strategies that can bring real results. 3 Reasons Why Americans Should Care About ‘Brexit’ It’s not just Europe’s problem. The Other […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The worst airports in the U.S. for summer travel. Also in the news: 3 smart money moves to make buying a home easier, creating a money map to make sense of your financial plan, and five signs it’s time to shop for a new credit card. The 10 Worst Airports in the […]
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: When hybrid long-term care insurance makes sense. Also in the news: How to tell whether your credit card authorized user could become a problem, what pro athletes can teach us about retirement planning, and the 7 habits of highly effective investors. When Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance Makes Sense Planning for the future. […]
5 Good Reasons to Tap Your Home Equity
Lenders want you to borrow against your home equity again. The question is, should you? Rising home values and a sluggish mortgage market mean banks are once more marketing home equity lines of credit. Last year, lenders handed out $156 billion in HELOCs, a 24% rise from a year earlier and a 138% rise from […]