Personal finance

Fertnig | E+ | Getty Images Death and taxes are two certainties in life, as the saying goes. But many people may not realize their Social Security benefits they receive from the government are also subject to taxes. The way in which those levies are applied is unique. A recent MassMutual quiz found just 42%

Prathanchorruangsak | Istock | Getty Images Whether you’re a current employee or changing jobs, you may need to choose between pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions, and it may be trickier than you expect. Here’s the difference: Pre-tax 401(k) deposits reduce your adjusted gross income, and the money grows tax-deferred, meaning you’ll pay levies on withdrawals.

In this article BAC Ilkercelik | Istock | Getty Images The market volatility that’s gripped the markets for weeks has prompted some investors to ask, “Is this the bottom?” But waiting for the market low may prove elusive. “There’s no ’the’ bottom,” said Chris Hyzy, chief investment officer at Merrill and Bank of America Private

President Joe Biden attends an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity launch event at Izumi Garden Gallery in Tokyo on May 23, 2022. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters President Joe Biden has said that he’ll soon be making an announcement about student loan forgiveness. In the meantime, the White House is trying to figure out what shape

Fotostorm | E+ | Getty Images Rising inflation has exacerbated an existing problem for millions of older Americans: They don’t have enough to live comfortably in retirement. Without enough savings, and the average Social Security check coming in at just over $1,500 a month, many retirees struggle to make ends meet. The good news is

PeopleImages | iStock | Getty Images For investors nearing retirement or already retired who need the certainty of cash but want to squeeze out a bit more yield, a certain investment in your 401(k) plan may fit the bill. It’s called a stable value fund (or something similar) and typically is available only through defined

A mobile billboard calling for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy depicts an image of billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos, near the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer | Getty Images A new billionaire was created on average about every 30 hours during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report by

Kool99 | Istock | Getty Images Earlier this month, President Joe Biden said that he was in the process of considering whether to forgive student debt, and that he’d have an answer in the next couple of weeks. Those weeks have passed and millions of borrowers are on edge — though they might not be

Michael Martinez wanted to be an airline pilot. But as he got older, Martinez, now 18, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a professional welder instead. In fact, the senior at Brazoswood High School in Clute, Texas, has already landed a job that will start immediately after graduation. “My dad always wanted

Westend61 | Getty Images Side hustles have become an increasingly popular way to boost income. But are they necessary to reach financial freedom? “The answer is no,” said Gorick Ng, author of “The Unspoken Rules,” adding that there are plenty of people who don’t have side hustles and have achieved success. Still, Ng is in

skynesher Days of record market losses may inspire 401(k) investors to take action. Yet most experts caution against doing just that. The reason: Days when the markets are down tend to be closely followed by days when the market is up. If you sell and run for cover now, you may miss the upside. “The

Eakgrunge | Istock | Getty Images Many people who have dialed the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number during the Covid-19 pandemic have faced long wait times. In an effort to alleviate the customer service issues, Congress this week held a hearing to identify ways in fix the problems. The issues are something leaders on both