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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Financial Topics You Can Safely Discuss at Thanksgiving
Forget politics! Holidays offer families a valuable opportunity to talk about their shared financial interests.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Test Your IRA Contribution IQ
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of traditional and Roth contribution rules in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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9 Tips to Declutter Your Home Before Your Retirement Move
Planning 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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11 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Should Avoid Making
Medicare If you don't make the right choices, you could end up with higher Medicare premiums and high out-of-pocket costs.
By Donna LeValley
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12 FAQs About Medicare
Medicare When you turn 65, you have to master a new health care system. We’re here to help.
By Kimberly Lankford
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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.
By Catherine Siskos
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The Minimum Savings You Need To Retire in All 50 States
Worried 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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Nine Things You Need for a Complete Retirement
Sponsored by Physicians Mutual
A successful retirement is built on a solid foundation of careful planning and self-awareness. Here are nine areas you should plan for if you want to retire with confidence.
By Donna LeValley
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6 Changes to IRAs, 401(k)s and HSAs in 2026
Changes to IRAs — Roth and traditional — and 401(k)s may mean more money for you in retirement.
By Donna LeValley
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5 Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2025
Here are five key end-of-year 2025 deadlines that retirees and those saving to retire won't want to miss.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Understanding Roth Conversions
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of Roth conversions in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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What You Will Pay for Medicare in 2026
Medicare premiums for 2026, as well as the costs of Parts A, B, and D, have increased. Here is how much you'll pay in 2026.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Premiums 2026: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and D
Will you have to pay the monthly Medicare premium surcharge next year? It depends.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Premiums 2025: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and D
Medicare participants with an income above the threshold must pay a surcharge for Medicare Part B and Part D based on their income.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Payment Schedule for 2025
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.
By Donna LeValley
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Cash In on Your Medicare Advantage Flex Card Perks Before They Disappear
With the 2025 rapidly coming to a close, here's how Flex Cards work and a guide on the best items to stock up on before December 31.
By Donna LeValley
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9 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.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Social Security Check by Age
Compare your average Social Security check with others of your age, and plan for the future.
By Donna LeValley
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HSAs and Medicare: The Eligibility Quiz
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of HSA accounts and Medicare in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Two Ways To Stop and Restart Social Security: Ditch the Regret
Get a Social Security do-over. Learn how to stop and restart Social Security.
By Jacob Wolinsky
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12 Things You Must Know About Claiming and Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits
Social 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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Are You Entitled? A Social Security Spousal Benefits Quiz
Quiz Test your knowledge of Social Security spousal benefits in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter
home There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
By Donna LeValley
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What Home Equity Is and Why It's a Valuable Long-Term Investment
Understanding what home equity is and why it's such a valued long-term investment.
By Donna LeValley
