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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Quiz: Can You Hit 'Reset' on Your Social Security Check?Quiz Whether you're looking for a total "do-over" or just a temporary "pause," this quick quiz reveals exactly what is — and isn't — possible.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Do You Understand the Social Security Earnings Test?Quiz Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of the Social Security earnings test and avoid being surprised by a smaller check than you expect.
By Donna LeValley
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Protect Your Retirement Wealth After Moving to a Cheaper StateWhile a move can protect your legacy, many retirees stumble at the finish line by ignoring the strict state residency tests used to challenge their new status.
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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Medicare and Moving: A Guide to Keeping Your CoverageYour Medicare plan’s coverage area will determine if you need to make changes after a move.
By Donna LeValley
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6 Reasons to Disinherit Someone and How to Do ItWhether you're navigating a second marriage, handling an estranged relative or leaving assets to charity, there are reasons to disinherit someone. Here's how.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Garnishment Rules: What Retirees Need to KnowDo you know who can garnish your monthly Social Security benefit? Or take the funds from your bank account? Learn how to protect your benefits from creditors.
By Donna LeValley
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Find Hidden Savings With A Home Energy AuditWith rising energy prices and inflation, now's a great time to check the efficiency of your home and find the most cost-effective fixes.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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I want original Medicare, but my wife chose Medicare Advantage for usWe retired with $4.6 million. Even so, our Medicare Advantage plan limits coverage when we travel or want to see a specialist. How can I convince my wife to switch?
By Donna LeValley
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Where to Move Your Money Before the Next Fed MeetingSavings rates remain high for now. But with the Fed's next move up on the air, it's time for savers to lock in rates now.
By Donna LeValley
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Which Airlines Have the Most Legroom — and Which Have the Least?Care about legroom? This list ranks major airlines by legroom and tells you which of their fleet is the roomiest.
By Donna LeValley
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International Travel with Medications: Know Before You GoWhen you travel with medications abroad, good planning can help avoid getting your prescriptions confiscated — or worse. Here's how to stay on the right side of the law.
By Donna LeValley
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15 Estate Planning Terms You Need to KnowSometimes industry jargon can turn otherwise understandable concepts into stumbling blocks. Here are simplified explanations, definitions and uses for some estate planning tools.
By Donna LeValley
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Is Music In Your Care Plan? I Learned How It Helps The Brain, Bones and MoreLincoln Center became a lab for the 2026 Heartbeat Summit. I met the experts proving art is medicine. Here is the new habit I’m taking home.
By Donna LeValley
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Spring Home Maintenance Checklist for 2025real estate Use this 20-point checklist to get your home ready for spring.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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Quiz: Do You Know Essential Estate Planning Terms?Quiz Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of the essential legal and financial vocabulary required to protect your assets and your family.
By Donna LeValley
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Frustrated With Your Medicare Advantage Plan? You’re Not AloneMedicare Advantage plans scored lower in overall satisfaction among members in 2025. Eroding trust and policy confusion drove the drop in customer satisfaction.
By Donna LeValley
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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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12 Things You Must Know About Claiming and Maximizing Your Social Security BenefitsSocial Security Claiming Social Security benefits at the right time means more money for you. Here’s a guide to everything from knowing your retirement age to spousal benefits.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Retirement Withdrawal Rate by AgeClinging to "safe" income and hoarding your principal isn't protecting your wealth; it's shortchanging the retirement you earned.
By Donna LeValley
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What You Will 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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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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How Your HSA Can Reimburse You for Medicare Premiums and ExpensesMedicare 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.
By Kimberly Lankford
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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
