Fstop123 | E+ | Getty Images For homebuyers, getting one preapproval for a mortgage that has palatable terms may seem good enough. More than two-thirds — 69% — of homebuyers submit only one mortgage application, according to a new report from Zillow. However, you shouldn’t stop there, experts say. With the average interest rate on…
South_agency | E+ | Getty Images For older Americans, financial fraud can be a very costly mishap. Last year, scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission by adults age 60 and older reached $2.4 billion, up 26.3% from $1.9 billion in 2023 and 300% from $600 million in 2020, according to the FTC’s annual report…
Alessandro Biascioli | Istock | Getty Images Social Security beneficiaries will soon receive statements showing how much of their total benefits received in 2025 may be subject to federal taxes. Changes enacted by Congress this year mean there’s more reason to pay attention to those tax documents. The forms, known as the SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S,…
Cravetiger | Moment | Getty Images Nearly all 401(k) plans now allow for workers to save money in Roth accounts, after legislative changes led adoption to jump significantly in recent years. A Roth account is funded with after-tax money. Savers pay income tax up front on their 401(k) contributions but don’t pay tax when they…
Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images As 2025 winds down, many financial advisors are preparing for 2026, which will bring key changes to saving for retirement in 401(k) plans. Among those shifts are contribution limit updates and a major tax change for certain investors, which could affect long-term planning. “The most impactful change for next…
Jacob Wackerhausen | Istock | Getty Images Earlier this week, the White House — in conjunction with Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan — announced one of the largest donations ever to benefit American children. The Dells’ $6.25 billion pledge goes hand in hand with a new federal government program…
Richard Stephen | Istock | Getty Images Even before they start receiving Social Security checks, millions of Americans rely on the Social Security Administration for information on when to claim retirement benefits and for help if their Social Security number has been compromised. This week, the House of Representatives passed several bills aimed at improving…
Sdi Productions | Istock | Getty Images On the heels of the longest-ever federal government shutdown, shifting tariff policies and heightened stock market volatility, many Americans are worried about what political uncertainty may cost them. Heading into 2026, the political environment has become the top concern clients are raising with their advisor, according to a…
Many people saving in 401(k) accounts get a company match from their employer. But that money may not yet belong to them. Someone may have to remain employed with a company for up to six years to take full control of those matching funds — a longer timeline than is typical for many workers, which…
Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty Images About 75 million Americans will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment to their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits in 2026. The increase is expected to add $56 per month on average to Social Security retirement benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. But other changes — particularly a…
