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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How to Navigate Your Medicare Advantage Plan in a DisasterIf you're a Medicare Advantage member in an area impacted by a disaster, you might be worried about access to care and medicine. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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How Smart Is Your Gifting Strategy? Take Our Grandparents' Legacy QuizAre you maximizing the legacy you’ll leave behind? Take our 10-question quiz to evaluate your strategy today.
By Donna LeValley
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Why Every Grandparent Should Consider a Custodial Roth IRA NowTime is a young investor’s greatest asset. Discover how small contributions today can evolve into a tax-free fortune by the time they retire.
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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Is Your Driver's License at Risk? What the DMV Requires From Retirees in 2026See which states require older drivers to retake vision tests to keep their licenses — and the one state that makes retirees retake their road test.
By Donna LeValley
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CDs vs Bonds: Which Is Better for You?If you're considering CDs and bonds, here's a breakdown of how each works.
By Donna LeValley
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Gift Like Buffet: Three Financial Gifts for Your Kids and GrandkidsWarren Buffet used to give his family cash for Christmas. After learning they neither saved nor invested it, he gave them something more practical.
By Donna LeValley
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RMD or QCD? Take the Retirement Distribution QuizDon’t let mandatory distributions catch you off guard. Test your RMD knowledge and discover strategies to maximize your retirement income today.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Monthly Social Security Check: March 2026The average monthly Social Security check amount might surprise you. Here's a look at March's numbers and why they matter.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Retirement Savings by Age: Are You Keeping Up?Think you may have more retirement savings than your peers? Here's your answer.
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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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 25 Most Expensive Cities to Live in the USFrom metro areas on both coasts to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, these are the most expensive cities to live in the U.S.
By Dan Burrows
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The 5 Trusts You Need to UnderstandYou can use these trusts to cement your legacy, organize your estate and limit your exposure to estate and gift taxes.
By Donna LeValley
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6 Changes to Social Security in 2026Big changes come to Social Security every year, impacting everything from the size of your benefit check to your full retirement age. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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How Alaska Became the Only State With No Medicare AdvantageWhile the Lower 48 shift to private plans, Alaska is proving that original Medicare can still deliver high-quality care at the edge of the world.
By Donna LeValley
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Estate Planning Quiz: Are You Making These 10 Common Errors?Quiz From "tax traps" to "safety deposit box blunders," discover the 10 most common mistakes people make when planning their estate.
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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When Will Social Security and Medicare Run Out of Money?Social Security and Medicare trust funds, which help pay benefits, are projected to run dry. What will happen then?
By Elaine Silvestrini
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Quiz: Could You Age in Place Today? Test Your ReadinessYour home, your life, your rules. Master the basics of aging in place and take control of your future with our 10-question home safety knowledge check.
By Donna LeValley
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The 9 Key Milestone Ages In RetirementThese nine milestone ages mark your eligibility for significant retirement benefits, including catch-up contributions and required actions, such as taking RMDs at age 73.
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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The Surprising Monthly ‘Raise’ You Can Give Yourself Without Working Longersocial security You don't need to wait an entire year beyond your full retirement age to earn delayed retirement credits.
By Donna LeValley
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