Donna LeValley
Donna joined Kiplinger as a personal finance writer in 2023. She spent more than a decade as the contributing editor of J.K.Lasser's Your Income Tax Guide and edited state specific legal treatises at ALM Media. She has shared her expertise as a guest on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox, NPR, CNBC and many other media outlets around the nation. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the University at Buffalo.
Latest articles by Donna LeValley
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5 Social Security Myths That Can Cost You ThousandsBefore you collect Social Security benefits, make sure you don't believe any of these falsehoods.
By Donna Fuscaldo
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The Saver to Spender Quiz: Enjoy the Life You EarnedQuiz Is fear keeping you from spending the money you worked so hard for? Take our quiz to uncover the mindset holding your retirement back.
By Donna LeValley
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The Social Security Test Every Wealthy Retiree Must TakeWhen you work and collect Social Security benefits before your FRA, you are subject to the Retirement Earning Test that could result in a temporary reduction of your benefits.
By Donna LeValley
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25 Cheapest Small Towns to Live InYou don't have to break the bank to find your dream hometown. Here is where affordability meets a high quality of life.
By Donna LeValley
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2032 Social Security Cuts: What Retirees Stand to Lose in Every StateReducing Social Security benefits doesn't just impact retirees — it hits state economies, creating a double-whammy effect of smaller checks and lower GDPs.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare 2027 Projections: How Much Your Premiums Are Expected to RiseIn 2027, Medicare participants will pay more for their health care. Fortunately, Part B costs are expected to rise less than 5%.
By Donna LeValley
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Do Lottery Winnings Affect Social Security Benefits?social security The sudden windfall won't reduce your benefits. Here's why.
By Donna LeValley
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9 Upgrades That Transform Your Family Home Into a Retirement OasisHere's a look at the smart, luxury modifications that prioritize your recovery, relaxation and effortless entertaining.
By Donna LeValley
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Projected 2027 IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Medicare Part B and DWill you owe the Medicare IRMAA surcharge in 2027? Grab your 2025 tax return and check the projected brackets and surcharges for next year.
By Donna LeValley
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2027 Social Security COLA Forecast: What New Data ShowsAs inflation persists, the 2027 Social Security COLA forecast has remained unchanged from May's estimate of 3.8%.
By Donna LeValley
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9 Things You Should Keep in a Home SafePut these valuables in a home safe, not a bank safety deposit box (or under a mattress). You'll be glad you did.
By Donna LeValley
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Your Medicare Costs Are Set to Soar Over the Next DecadeMedicare beneficiaries will face higher premiums, deductibles and surcharges starting in 2026 and continuing over the next decade. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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Flashback Finance: The Cost of Retiring the Year You Were BornJust like groceries, gas and home prices, the cost of retiring is subject to inflation. Here's a look at what it costs to retire in the year you were born.
By Donna LeValley
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How Much Will Social Security's 2032 Shortfall Cost You?The SS trust fund will be insolvent in 2032 and will have to reduce benefits by 22%. Here is how much more you need to save to cover the shortfall, by age.
By Donna LeValley
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The New Average Divorce Rate By Age: Are You in the Risk Zone?While the overall divorce rate has seen a small but steady decline, gray divorces have been on the rise since the 1990s.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Payment Schedule for 2026Find out when you can expect your 2026 Social Security payments and the date you get paid when your scheduled day falls on a holiday.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Social Security Check by AgeCompare your average Social Security check with others of your age, and plan for the future.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Social Security Check in Every StateDo you live in this New England state with the heftiest check? Your Social Security benefit can be affected by where you live.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Monthly Social Security Check: May 2026The average monthly Social Security check amount might surprise you. Here's a look at May's numbers and why they matter.
By Donna LeValley
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The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: US Cities EditionHave a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?
By Donna LeValley
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21 Things Home Buyers Will Hate About Your Housereal estate As a home seller, you don't want to let the small — or big — fixes around your house that have added up over the years sabotage your bottom line during a resale.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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America at 250: The 3 Economic Headaches That Haven't Changed Since 1976From sticky inflation to Social Security deadlines, a look back at the 50-year evolution of our personal economies as we celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
By Donna LeValley
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How Has Retirement Changed in the Last 50 Years? Take Our QuizQuiz Test your knowledge on how American retirement has transformed since 1976.
By Donna LeValley
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Does Donald Trump Claim Social Security Benefits?The Social Security Act of 1983 brought the president and vice president under the Social Security program. We investigate which presidents are on the payroll.
By Donna LeValley
