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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

August 23, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Plug into your car’s computer to save money and drive safer. Also in the news: How to reset retirement plans to weather a downturn, the easiest way to earn 6,000 Rapid Rewards point, and why you should pay off all of your debt before investing in stocks.

Plug Into Your Car’s Computer toonboardney, Drive Safer
Your on-board computer can tell you a lot about your driving habits.

How to Reset Retirement Plans to Weather a Downturn
Making the adjustments.

Quite Possibly the Easiest Way to Earn 6,000 Rapid Rewards Points
All it takes is a newsletter.

Pay off all your debt before investing in stocks
Credit card debt is the worst.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: automobiles, debt, Insurance, Investing, Rapid Rewards points, retirement plans, safe driving, stock market

Q&A: High earners need to watch out for Medicare surcharge

June 25, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: When I retired at age 70, I anticipated receiving the maximum available Social Security benefit payment because I had paid in the maximum tax for my entire career. I did not anticipate the heavy hit my spouse and I would take in monthly income-adjusted Medicare “premiums.” (I say “tax” is a more appropriate description.) We now pay over $500 per month each, or more than $12,000 per year! I know I am blessed to have the income I have in retirement, but that is because we were thrifty and worked hard and saved.

Answer: Many high-income retirees are unaware of “IRMAA,” or Medicare’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts, so they can come as a bit of a shock. These adjustments begin when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $85,000 for singles or $170,000 for couples. At that level, Medicare recipients pay an additional $53.50 for Part B, which covers doctor’s visits, and $13.30 extra for Part D prescription drug coverage, on top of their regular premiums. (Regular premiums for Part B are $134 a month, while premiums for Part D vary by the plan chosen.) The adjustments increase as income rises until they max out at $294.60 for Part B and $74.80 for Part D when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $160,000 for singles or $320,000 for couples.

Medicare Part A, which covers hospital visits, remains free for all Medicare beneficiaries.

That $12,000 a year may feel like a lot, but healthcare is expensive in the U.S. Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $18,764 last year.

Filed Under: Insurance, Medicare, Q&A Tagged With: Insurance, IRMAA, Medicare, q&a, surcharge

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

April 10, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How bad credit can increase your car costs. Also in the news: Owning Bitcoin creates a complex tax situation, 13 last-ditch ways to avoid the poorhouse in retirement, and the top 7 tax deductions and credits people forget.

Good Driver, Bad Credit: What Makes Your Car Costs So High
It’s not just the monthly payment.

Owning Bitcoin Creates a Complex Tax Situation
Taxing cryptocurrency.

13 Last-Ditch Ways to Avoid the Poorhouse in Retirement
Before it’s too late.

Top 7 Tax Deductions And Credits That People Forget
Leave no deduction behind.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: bad credit, BItcoin, car costs, Credit, Insurance, Retirement, retirement savings, tax credits, tax deductions, Taxes, tips

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

December 7, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How not to go broke attending holiday parties. Also in the news: Self-taught financial advisers keep it real about money, how to determine if your taxes are going up, and how to spend your extra FSA money.

You Don’t Have to Go Broke Attending Holiday Parties
Having fun without breaking the bank.

Self-taught financial advisers keep it real about money management
Knowing your limits.

My Taxes Probably Are Going Up. Are Yours?
How to determine next year’s taxes.

How to Spend Your Extra FSA Money
The clock is ticking.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial advice, FSA, holiday parties, holiday spending, Insurance, Taxes, tips

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

November 21, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Black Friday snafus and the insurance that fixes them. Also in the news: Holiday credit card promotions, how to skip long lines at the airport without spending a dime, and five things you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday.

Black Friday Snafus and the Insurance That Fixes Them
Protect yourself.

Are Holiday Credit Card Promotions Right for You?
Reading the fine print.

Skip Long Lines at the Airport — Without Spending a Dime
What you need to know.

5 things you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday
Hold out for real bargains.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airlines, Black Friday, Credit Cards, Insurance, shopping, tips, travel

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

October 25, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 5 Halloween hazards and how insurance can help. Also in the news: The secret to optimizing credit card rewards, how to make money driving for Amazon Flex, and why Millennials may end up saving more for retirement than their parents’ generation.

5 Halloween Hazards and How Insurance Can Help
Don’t get tricked.

The Secret to Optimizing Credit Card Rewards? Be Disloyal
Loyalty is overrated with credit card rewards.

Make Money Driving for Amazon Flex: What to Expect
Make money driving for Amazon that you can then spend on Amazon.

Millennials May End Up Saving More For Retirement Than Their Parents’ Generation
What has changed.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Amazon Flex, credit card rewards, halloween, Insurance, millennials, Retirement, retirement savings

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