Dear Liz: Can someone who has remarried claim survivor benefits from a deceased former husband? Answer: Possibly, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the divorce occurred at least two years ago and she remarried at age 60 or later. Divorced survivor benefits can be up to 100% of the former husband’s benefit. The amount would […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: An online bank didn’t want this reader’s deposit. Now what?
Dear Liz: I recently tried to open a high-yield, one-year certificate of deposit at an online bank. I already have one CD with this bank, but when I went to submit the form for the new account, I got a message on the screen that the bank had denied my request. I called the bank’s customer […]
Q&A: If the credit card is paid off, will the credit score go up or not?
Dear Liz: If I pay off my credit card and carry a zero balance, will my credit score go up quite a bit? Answer: That depends, among other factors, on how much of your available credit you were using on that card. The closer you were to being maxed out — which means using most or all […]
Friday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: What to do with your remaining student loan debt. Also in the news: Unlock the college financial aid you need starting Oct. 1, and how to negotiate with debt collectors (and why you always should). What to Do With Your Remaining Student Loan Debt For the 23 million borrowers with debt left […]
Thursday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How the September 2022 fed rate increase will impact your bank account. Also in the news: 6 new rules for smarter European travel, how to weigh the risks and rewards of buying a used EV, and Fed boosts rates yet again, pushing down home affordability. How the September 2022 Fed Rate Increase […]
Wednesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: The downsides of hotel free night certificates. Also in the news: travel prices that are coming back to earth, if your airline miles and hotel pointes are worth less now, and a hotel kitchen that may not save you money after all. The Downsides of Hotel Free Night Certificates Free night certificates […]