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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Do Lottery Winnings Affect Social Security Benefits?social security The sudden windfall won't reduce your benefits. Here's why.
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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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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Your Medicare Costs Are Set to Soar Over the Next DecadeMedicare beneficiaries will face higher premiums, deductibles and surcharges starting in 2026 and continuing over the next decade. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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Flashback Finance: The Cost of Retiring the Year You Were BornJust like groceries, gas and home prices, the cost of retiring is subject to inflation. Here's a look at what it costs to retire in the year you were born.
By Donna LeValley
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How Much Will Social Security's 2032 Shortfall Cost You?The SS trust fund will be insolvent in 2032 and will have to reduce benefits by 22%. Here is how much more you need to save to cover the shortfall, by age.
By Donna LeValley
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The New Average Divorce Rate By Age: Are You in the Risk Zone?While the overall divorce rate has seen a small but steady decline, gray divorces have been on the rise since the 1990s.
By Donna LeValley
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The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: US Cities EditionHave a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?
By Donna LeValley
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21 Things Home Buyers Will Hate About Your Housereal estate As a home seller, you don't want to let the small — or big — fixes around your house that have added up over the years sabotage your bottom line during a resale.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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America at 250: The 3 Economic Headaches That Haven't Changed Since 1976From sticky inflation to Social Security deadlines, a look back at the 50-year evolution of our personal economies as we celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
By Donna LeValley
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How Has Retirement Changed in the Last 50 Years? Take Our QuizQuiz Test your knowledge on how American retirement has transformed since 1976.
By Donna LeValley
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Does Donald Trump Claim Social Security Benefits?The Social Security Act of 1983 brought the president and vice president under the Social Security program. We investigate which presidents are on the payroll.
By Donna LeValley
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America's Cost of Living at 200 vs 250: How Affordable is American Life Now?Unpack the Semiquincentennial sticker shock by comparing the modern economy to the simple days of Casey Kasem countdowns and affordable living in 1976.
By Donna LeValley
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How 401(k) Savers Just Triggered a Big Market ShiftRather than running to the sidelines or moving to cash when things get bumpy, seasoned savers are building up their balances and locking in long-term security.
By Donna LeValley
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The 2026 Mid-Year Retirement ResetChecklist of 6 easy things you can do in June to improve and secure your finances.
By Donna LeValley
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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 outspend their surpluses. What happens when the safety net faces a shortfall?
By Elaine Silvestrini
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7 Ways to Plan Now to Save on Medicare IRMAA Surcharges LaterUnderstand the critical two-year lookback period and why aggressive planning before you enroll in Medicare is the most effective way to minimize IRMAA.
By Donna LeValley
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Estate Planning Quiz: Can You Decode These 10 Critical 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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Why 'Locking' Your Social Security Number Is the New Credit FreezeHere is how to keep your Social Security number private in an age of aggressive cybercriminals.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Do-Overs Quiz: Can You Undo a Claiming Mistake?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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What is the IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)?IRMAA is a surcharge added to your Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage premiums if your income is above a certain level. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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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
