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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9 Tips to Declutter Your Home Before Your Retirement MovePlanning to declutter your home — whether you're moving or downsizing — can be overwhelming. Here's how to do it.
By Dawn Wotapka
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The Minimum Savings You Need To Retire in All 50 StatesWorried you haven't saved enough for retirement? Here are the average annual expenses and minimum savings amounts needed to get by in all 50 states.
By Donna LeValley
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Need More Money for Retirement? You May Have Already Saved It. Here's How to Find Your Lost 401(k).Over 29 million lost 401(k) accounts worth almost $1.65 trillion have been forgotten by their owners. Here are nine ways you can locate your account.
By Donna LeValley
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Married to a Noncitizen? Don't Let the IRS Become Your Biggest BeneficiaryNoncitizens don't get the unlimited marital deduction. Learn how the QDOT bridges this gap to defer estate taxes and protect your family's legacy.
By Donna LeValley
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How Savvy Are You at Saving on Luxury Travel? Take Our Short QuizQuiz Before you book your next getaway, test your travel savings strategy. Take our short quiz to uncover the best ways to protect your wallet on vacation.
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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How to Appeal the IRMAA for Medicare Parts B and DMedicare There's a good chance you can get your IRMAA eliminated or reduced if your income has dropped in the past two years.
By Jackie Stewart
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Is Your 401(k) Rollover Truly Protected in an IRA?Quiz Take our 10-question quiz see if your hard-earned nest egg is truly protected from hidden liabilities, or if you are exposed to unexpected risks.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare and Cruises: The 6-Hour RuleDon't let a medical emergency ruin your retirement. We explain why Medicare might not pay for cruise ship virus treatments and how to fill the coverage gap.
By Donna LeValley
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The $9 Trillion Shift: Why Your Retirement is Less Safe in an IRA and How to Protect ItIRAs now hold a $9 trillion surplus over 401(k)s, largely due to rollovers. Learn how to secure your retirement savings against legal risks and hidden fees.
By Donna LeValley
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Don't Fall For These 5 Costly Medicare MythsSigning up for Medicare can be complicated, and mistakes can be costly. Let's demystify these five Medicare myths to avoid expensive penalties.
By Donna LeValley
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The Turning 65 Quiz: Most People Fail Question #6. Can You Pass?Quiz Take our 10-question quiz to test your understanding of the critical milestones and decisions you'll encounter as you turn 65.
By Donna LeValley
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10 Medicare Changes to Watch in 2026Understanding the changes happening to Medicare in 2026 will help you work out whether original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan is best for you.
By Donna LeValley
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What You'll Pay for Medicare in 2026Medicare premiums for 2026, as well as the costs of Parts A, B, and D, have increased. Here's how much you'll pay in 2026.
By Donna LeValley
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How to Set the Price to Sell Your Homereal estate If you're selling your home, setting the right price is crucial. Don't overprice or you'll scare away prospective buyers.
By Donna LeValley
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The Best Places to Retire in the WorldWhen it comes to the best places to retire in the world, which country is at the top of the list? And where does the U.S. feature on the leaderboard? We investigate.
By Elaine Silvestrini
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Medicare Premiums 2026: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and DDo you have to pay the monthly Medicare premium surcharge this year? It depends.
By Donna LeValley
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Eight Things Medicare Doesn't CoverMedicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
By Donna LeValley
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12 Things You Need to Know About MedicareMedicare 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.
By Catherine Siskos
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Who is Getting Your Money?: The Beneficiary Designation QuizQuiz Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of the essential rules and safeguards when appointing beneficiaries.
By Donna LeValley
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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.
By Jackie Stewart
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What Medicare Covers When You Travel in the US and AbroadMedical emergencies can happen at any time. Knowing what Medicare coverage you have, anywhere in the world, can help you avoid a massive bill.
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
