Money, Wealth & Power—A Daily Look at the Financial World
Roth IRAs are often pitched as the go-to retirement account for young workers in lower tax brackets. But take a closer look, and you’ll see plenty of high-income earners quietly using Roths to build long-term, tax-free wealth—despite earning too much to contribute the “normal” way. It’s not just about the account itself. It’s about how…
Federal regulators have spent the past year tightening the rules around 401(k) plans, and workers who fail to keep up risk losing tens of thousands of dollars in retirement savings to penalties, taxes, and forgone investment growth. From missed contribution limits and overlooked catch-up rules to early cashouts, hidden fees, and missed tax credits, eight…
Americans worried about the future of Social Security cite a higher retirement age as one of their biggest concerns, according to recent polling, even as the program’s trust-fund timelines have moved closer. The 2025 Trustees Report moved the projected exhaustion date for the combined Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance funds to 2034, one year sooner…
Cautious retirees often want equity income without the stomach-churning swings that can come with broad stock indexes. Low-volatility dividend ETFs aim to smooth the ride while still delivering regular cash flow. The following three funds focus on quality companies, disciplined screening and defensive sector tilts that can help Retirement investors stay invested through market stress….
Most retirees know Medicare covers hospital stays and doctor visits, but the program also includes a set of lesser-known benefits that can cut hundreds or even thousands of dollars from annual out-of-pocket costs. From free preventive screenings to drug-cost subsidies and ambulance transport rules, these provisions sit buried in federal guidelines and often go unclaimed….
The gap between what different retirees pay for Medicare Part B in 2026 is striking: $202.90 per month at the low end, $689.90 at the top. That $487 monthly spread is not a billing error or a choice between plan tiers. It is the direct result of a federal income-based surcharge system that treats higher…
A bill introduced in the 119th Congress would create a new class of government-backed retirement accounts designed specifically for workers who lack access to an employer-sponsored 401(k) or similar plan. The legislation, titled the Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2025, proposes an “American Worker Retirement Plan” held by the Treasury Department and paired with…
Retirees drawing down savings face a tightening set of competing pressures: bond yields have climbed well above the levels that defined the post-2008 era, life expectancies continue to stretch retirement horizons past 30 years for many households, and federal tax rules now force minimum withdrawals from retirement accounts starting at age 73. Together, these forces…
Supplemental Security Income recipients eligible for the maximum federal payment will see $994 land in their bank accounts for March 2026, with the deposit arriving as early as February 27 because the scheduled payment date falls on a weekend. The early arrival, combined with a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment that took effect in January, means roughly…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services set the standard monthly Part B premium at $202.90 for 2026, a $17.90 increase over the current year. Because that premium is typically deducted straight from Social Security checks, the hike will eat into much of the $56-per-month raise that the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment was supposed to deliver….