Dear Liz: I am divorced. If I apply for Social Security spousal benefits at age 62, based on my former spouse’s work record, can I continue to collect it if I get remarried? I understand that I cannot switch from spousal to my own benefit if I start early. But if I remarry, do I […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: IRA’s and 401(k)’s
Dear Liz: You answered a reader who asked whether to contribute to her IRA, her Roth IRA or her regular or Roth 401(k) account. I thought that if you have access to a 401(k) at work, you couldn’t make a contribution to an IRA or Roth IRA. Answer: That’s a common misconception. You can contribute […]
Want to protect yourself from tax return theft? You can’t.
A surge of bogus tax return filings has highlighted a grim truth: We can’t protect ourselves from this rising threat. An underfunded, understaffed IRS manages to thwart many attempts, but still sent more than $5 billion in refunds to identity thieves in the 2013 tax year. Most state tax agencies aren’t nearly as sophisticated in […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How to fall in love with your finances. Also in the news: Filing your taxes for free, the worst money mistakes you can make in the name of love, and how you can create a will for your social media accounts. To Fall in Love With Your Finances, Do This It’s like […]
What “secret millionaires” can teach us
This column first appeared on DailyWorth under the headline “Lessons from secret millionaires.” Eugenia Dodson grew up on a Minnesota farm, the daughter of poor Swedish immigrants. Her childhood poverty affected her so profoundly that even in her old age, she refused to replace a stove with only one working burner — even though by […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The money questions you need to ask before popping THE question. Also in the news: The importance of renter’s insurance, why online tax filers need to pay attention to the fine print, and how to answer your child’s tough money questions. Getting Serious? Five Important Money Questions to Ask The questions to […]