Latest articles by Donna LeValley
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4 Things You Need to Know Before Applying for Social Security in 2025
Don't unnecessarily delay or reduce your Social Security benefits because you don't know all the rules and requirements.
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Social Security Fairness Act Payments Checklist: Nine Things to Know
This Social Security Fairness Act checklist explains what public sector retirees can expect from SSFA, including when their payments will arrive and how much more money they may receive.
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Social Security Under Trump Live Updates: Average Social Security Claiming Age is Trending Higher and the Ticket to Work Program Turns 25
Social Security Blog Social Security is undergoing big changes in 2025 under President Trump. Get live daily news, updates, tips and analysis to help you navigate the developments.
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The Average Social Security Claiming Age is Trending Higher
Fewer people are claiming Social Security benefits at age 62. Better health and the elimination of the earnings test after 65 have lowered barriers to working longer.
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Worried Social Security Benefits Will Be Cut? Save This Much More to Be Safe
The Social Security trust fund will be insolvent in 2033 and by 2035 will have to reduce benefits by 17%. Here is now much more you need to save to cover the potential shortfall.
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Here Is How Much You'll Pay for Medicare Premiums and Deductibles in 2025
Medicare premiums for 2025, and the cost of Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Part D premiums and deductibles, have gone up. Here is how much you'll pay in 2025.
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12 Things You Need to Know About Medicare
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
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You Can Now Collect a Public Pension and Full Social Security Benefits
retirement If you receive a public pension from the government, you can now collect full Social Security benefits as well as your pension, due to the Social Security Fairness Act.
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Social Security Earnings Tests: Five Things You Must Know
social security If you’re still working and claim Social Security early, your benefits could be reduced, at least temporarily.
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Five Medicare Changes Coming in 2026
Learn about the benefits that become permanent features of Medicare in 2026 and how they have been changed or updated since their inception.
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Gift Like Buffet: Three Financial Gifts for Your Kids and Grandkids
Warren Buffet used to give his family cash for Christmas. After learning they neither saved nor invested it, he gave them something more practical.
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How Your HSA Can Reimburse You for Medicare Premiums and Expenses
Medicare Even if your Medicare premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security check, you can take tax-free withdrawals from an Health Savings Account to reimburse yourself.
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Here are the 2025 income related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) income brackets and surcharge amounts.
Medicare participants with an income above the threshold must pay a surcharge for Medicare Part B and Part D based on their income.
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The Average Monthly Social Security Check: April 2025
The average monthly Social Security check amount might surprise you. Here's a look at the numbers and why they matter.
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How the Social Security Administration Is Coping with Rapid Change
There has been a fair amount of change at the SSA since Trump took office. Here's a look at what's new this year and how it will impact the agency going forward.
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What’s the Best Medigap Plan for You?
Medicare The 10 Medigap plans offer different levels of benefits that pay for expenses, such as co-payments, not covered by original Medicare.
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SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k): Which Is Better for You?
Two retirement plans, the solo 401(k) and SEP IRAs, allow small business owners and the self-employed to save up to $69,000 annually.
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When Will I Receive My 2025 Social Security Checks?
Find out when you can expect your 2025 Social Security payments and the date you get paid when your scheduled day falls on a holiday.
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Thirteen local Social Security offices will temporarily stop all in-person service and will only be available by telephone. .
A departure from closing locations, 13 local Social Security offices will temporarily stop all in-person service and will only be available by telephone.
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15 Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know
Sometimes industry jargon can turn otherwise understandable concepts into stumbling blocks. Here are simplified explanations, definitions and uses for some estate planning tools.
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How to Access Your Parents’ Medicare to Help them Enroll and Manage Their Care
Getting access to your parents' Medicare or Medicare Advantage accounts is easiest when they're healthy. But you still have options if they are incapacitated.
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Where to Move Your Money Before the Next Fed Meeting
Savings rates remain high. And with the Fed unlikely to conduct rate cuts at its May meeting, it gives savers more time to maximize returns.
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Five Trusts You Need to Know About and the Best Time to Use Them
You can use trusts to cement your legacy, organize your estate and limit your exposure to estate and gift taxes.
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The Eight Key Milestone Ages In Retirement
These eight milestone ages mark your eligibility for significant retirement benefits, including catch-up contributions and required actions, such as taking RMDs at age 73.
