Dear Liz: My husband died 10 years ago. He had a good salary for many years. I just turned 60 and have been told that I may now claim Social Security benefits as his widow. He has a minor child from another relationship. If I claim survivor benefits now, will it diminish the benefits his child […]
Recent Blog Posts
Ways to recover from a financial shock and be prepared next time
Financial shocks come in many different forms: An unexpected medical bill, house repair or job loss are among the typical ones. The reasons for financial shocks may be common, but recovering from them can be unexpectedly challenging. “These things happen once or twice over a financial lifetime,” says Spencer Betts, a certified financial planner and […]
Q&A: Don’t try evading Roth IRA requirements
Dear Liz: My son is a student. He would like to maximize his Roth IRA at the annual $7,000 limit and has the money in savings to do so. However, his income from odd jobs, paid in cash, will probably be less than the $7,000 required to make this maximum contribution. Can he report additional income […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: Getting a second opinion can help ward off misdiagnosis. In other news: What to know about pet insurance, 6 tips for the FAFSA delay, and questions you aren’t asking, but should during open enrollment. Getting a Second Opinion Can Help Ward Off Misdiagnosis Each year, diagnostic error leads to about 371,000 U.S. […]
Someday your boss could help you save for emergencies
When I wrote about employer-provided emergency savings accounts four years ago, the idea was still pretty novel. Some companies were experimenting with ways to help their workers save for short-term needs, but the concept wasn’t even on the radar for many employers. What a difference the pandemic made. Millions were thrown out of work with […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: How to protect yourself from student loan scams as bills resume. In other news: Increased commuting costs, how Disney turned Halloween into a money-making machine, and 3 steps to booking holiday travel. How to Protect Yourself From Student Loan Scams as Bills Resume If you get a random text or call about […]