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…
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….
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….
Middle-class retirees hoping to stretch their savings in the Sunshine State are running into a financial wall. Housing costs in Florida’s most popular retirement corridors are climbing faster than Social Security benefits can keep up, and the demographic profile of new arrivals is shifting toward wealthier households. For anyone planning a budget-conscious move south, the…
Retirees who have paid off their mortgages can cover all basic living expenses on Social Security alone in exactly 10 states, according to analyses of federal benefit data and regional cost figures. With the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment raising the estimated average monthly retirement benefit to $2,071 starting in January 2026, the math works in a…
The expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits at the close of 2025 has put approximately 22 million Marketplace enrollees on a collision course, with sharply higher insurance costs. These subsidies, first created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and later extended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, kept monthly…
Only eight states still tax Social Security benefits in 2026, and each uses its own income tests and formulas to decide what retirees owe. Key Points For 2026 from Dec reporting state that Only eight jurisdictions, including Colorado and Connecticut, still reach into Social Security checks. Understanding which states tax benefits and how they calculate…