Monday’s need-to-know money news

22856641_SAToday’s top story: The three things you should do before tackling your student loan debt. Also in the news: Three tax changes for 2015, how to protect your finances during a late-in-life divorce, and how changing the order in which you deduct from your paycheck could save you more money.

3 Things to Do Before Tackling Your Student Loan Debt
There’s a lot to do before you start making payments.

3 Tax Changes for 2015 You Need To Know About
Tax time is right around the corner.

Protect finances in later-in-life divorce
Divorce after 50 can come with a special set of financial issues.

Subtract Savings from Your Salary Before Expenses to Save Better
Subtracting your savings first could help keep your expenses in check.

7 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score This Month
Just in time for the holidays.

Q&A: Social Security Benefits and Divorce

Dear Liz: I am 53 and divorced. My ex-husband died at the age of 49 and had contributed significantly to Social Security. I don’t plan to remarry. Would I be able to make any claim on his record as an ex-spouse when I reach age 62, or would he have had to reach retirement age for this to be possible?

Answer: If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you could get the same benefits as a widow or widower. We’ll assume your ex was “fully insured” under Social Security, which means he paid enough into the system to qualify for benefits.

For the sake of brevity, we’ll also assume that you’re not disabled or caring for his minor or disabled child. (You could still qualify for benefits if any of these were true, but the rules would be somewhat different.)

Your survivors’ checks would be based on what he would have received had he survived until retirement (a sum known as his primary insurance amount). If he had been 62 or older when he died and had started receiving Social Security checks, your benefit would have been based on what he was actually receiving.

You can start survivors’ benefits as early as age 60 if you’re not disabled. If you start benefits before your own full retirement age, however, your benefits will be reduced because of the early start. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t apply until age 62 or later and your own retirement benefits are larger than your widows’ benefit, you’ll get your own benefit instead.

On the other hand, you’re allowed to switch from his benefit to your own at any point between age 62 and age 70. It’s possible that your own benefit, left untouched to grow, eventually could exceed your survivors’ benefit. Obviously, this decision will involve crunching some numbers to see which approach makes the most sense. The Social Security Administration suggests you contact your local office or call (800) 772-1213 to learn how much you could receive on your ex’s work record, since that’s not information you can access online.

One other thing you should know: Since you’d be getting survivors’ rather than spousal benefits, you could remarry after you reach age 60 without endangering your checks. Those whose exes are still alive have to refrain from remarrying if they want their spousal benefits to continue.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Split Wedding CakeToday’s top story: How to determine whether to rent or buy. Also in the news: Becoming a better car buyer, how to save during wedding planning, and how to protect your finances during a divorce.

Is It Better to Rent or Buy?
These calculators will help you decide.

3 Ways to Be a Better Car Buyer
Negotiating is key.

6 Secrets From Couples Who Saved Big on Their Weddings
The before.

Keep an Eye on Finances During a Divorce
And the after.

5 Tips to Calculate Your Financial Worth
Knowing what you should be paid is essential during a job hunt.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Identity theft’s youngest targets. Also in the news: Tips to increase your savings and investments, how to cut your summer energy bill this spring, and who inherits your debts after you die.

When Should You Check Your Child’s Credit Report?
Kids aren’t immune to identity theft.

Six Steps To Financial Spring Cleaning For Divorce
Airing out your home and your marriage.

7 tips to increase savings, investments
Advice from the experts.

Do My Debts Pass On to My Kids After Death?
A different type of inheritance.

How to Reduce Your Energy Costs This Summer
Acting now could cut your bill later.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Flying Piggy BankHow your good credit can be a valuable ally, never paying full price ever again, and everything you ever wanted to know about the debt ceiling but were afraid to ask.

4 Times Good Credit Can Come to Your Rescue
Good credit can be your best friend during emergencies.

Splitting From Wife, Want Cash From Home
How to draw cash from a home where you’re soon-to-be ex is still there.

Haggling 101: Six ways to get a deal on anything
Paying full price is SO yesterday.

8 Hobbies That Can Fund Retirement
That old rock collection finally comes in handy.

10 simple things that finally explain the debt ceiling
Introducing the next big fight that could paralyze congress.

Ex is trashing her credit scores

Dear Liz: How long must I be punished for my ex’s poor payment history? In our divorce he agreed to pay the credit cards and other bills. He defaulted and has filed for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. My credit scores plummeted, and recently one of the cards I obtained on my own to help rebuild my credit has dropped me, stating my credit scores as the reason. Do I have any recourse here?

Answer: Not really. As you’ve discovered, creditors don’t have to pay any attention to divorce decrees that say who’s responsible for paying what. You agreed to pay the bill when you signed up for the card. So if your name is on the account, your credit scores will be hurt if it’s not paid.

That’s why it’s so important for separating couples to separate their credit as well. Jointly held accounts should be closed, and any balances transferred to a card that’s in the responsible party’s name only. Otherwise, missed payments and charge-offs will continue to affect both people’s credit for years.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

College studentHow to manage student loans while you’re unemployed, saving on legal fees while getting divorced, and how to convince your boss that you really deserve that promotion.

Help! I’m Unemployed & Drowning in Student Loan Debt
What to do when you’re out of both a job and student loan deferments.

Why a Collaborative Divorce Makes Financial Sense
Eliminating most of the attorneys can save you thousands of dollars.

10 Smart Retirement Moves to Make in Your 20s
It’s never too early to start planning for the future.

How to Talk So Your Boss Will Listen
How to maximize the chances of your boss actually listening to you.

Is renters insurance worth it for college students?
Should students living off-campus insure their belongings?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

School Kids DiversitySaving on back-to-school shopping, tool to make managing your money easier, and what you need to do financially when your marriage comes to an end.

Be Smart on Back-to-School Shopping
How to fill their backpacks without emptying your wallet.

8 Money Tools You Should Try
8 tools to make managing your money much easier.

How To Reduce Your Debts Without Spending Unnecessarily
You shouldn’t have spend money to get out of debt.

Save Your Way to $1 Million Dollars
It might be easier than you think!

We’re Getting A Divorce, Now What?
Ways to protect yourself financially when your marriage comes to its end.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Champagne glassesFinancial survival tips for before the wedding and after the marriage ends, freedom from credit card debt, and beating the retirement clock.

Engaged? You Might Need Money Therapy
Things you should know before you walk down the aisle.

How Does Divorce Affect Bankruptcy and Mortgage
Things you should know for when the walk down the aisle fails.

Declare Your Independence From Credit Card Debt
Life, liberty and the pursuit of zero debt.

How to Get Help From a Student Loan Mediator
Student loan battles don’t have to be fought alone.
What to Do When You Haven’t Saved Enough for Retirement
How to get by when time isn’t on your side.

Career change in midlife requires caution

Dear Liz: I went through divorce three years ago (after 20 years being together). I’m now 41 and broken financially and emotionally. I’m wondering if I should sell my small place and move in with my mother or stay broke and tough it out so I can keep my own place. I work part time, which was fine when I was married. Should I return to college and start a new “second half of life career”? I love my job and I’m torn.

What do you recommend? I can’t survive on my income alone and pay my bills. It’s never ending and I’m stressed beyond measure!

Answer: Recovering from a big setback such as a divorce is tough. But continuing to struggle in a situation that doesn’t work makes little sense. You need enough income to cover your bills and save for the future.

If you sell your place and move in with your mother temporarily, you could continue working part time in the job you love while getting a degree that would qualify you for a better, full-time job. You’ll need to make this investment carefully, since you’ll have only a couple of decades for the money you spend (or borrow) to pay off. A two-year degree might make more sense than a four-year course of study, for example.

You’ll want to pick a well-paying job in an industry that’s growing, and you should limit the amount of student loan you take on to no more than you expect to make your first year out of school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a list of the fastest-growing jobs, and their median salaries, at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm. Your local community college probably also has a career services center where you could talk to counselors about your options.