Inflation breakdown for September 2025, in one chart

Inflation edged higher in September amid a jump in gasoline prices and other essentials such as electricity, while President Donald Trump’s tariffs put pressure on prices for physical goods such as clothing and furniture, economists said. The consumer price index, a key inflation barometer, rose 3% in September from a year earlier, the Bureau of Labor Statistics…

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What to consider during government shutdown

Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Medicare open enrollment kicked off on Oct. 15, with one notable difference for beneficiaries who are considering updating their health insurance plans — the federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1. Updates related to Medicare open enrollment — which runs through Dec. 7 — will continue…

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Best financial advisors, top firms for 2025

Amid economic uncertainty, the best financial advisors can provide a steady hand to investors in any stage of life or with any level of wealth. Whether you’re early in your career or nearing your golden years, financial advisors can help you meet key milestones and address planning needs such as saving for retirement, investing a…

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No tax on Social Security benefits: Senator introduces bill

A Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Washington, DC, March 26, 2025. Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” provides relief to certain Social Security beneficiaries who pay taxes on their benefits. But it doesn’t eliminate those levies entirely. Now, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, introduced a bill on Thursday…

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Global retirement systems compared for long-term security

Retirement funding looks very different depending on where you live. While the United States leans heavily on voluntary 401(k)-style savings plans, other nations rely on mandatory contributions or more traditional pensions to ensure broad coverage and steady income. Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index takes these structural differences into consideration when ranking some of the…

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Having a bridge strategy can help

M Swiet Productions | Getty Images Eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits starts at age 62. But for prospective beneficiaries who can wait, the biggest benefit becomes available at age 70. For many retirees, that poses a dilemma — how to fund those interim years while they wait to claim that highest monthly benefit check….

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