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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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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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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The IRMAA Income Trap Quiz: What Really Counts?From municipal bonds to Roth conversions — take our quiz to find out if you know which income streams push you into higher Medicare brackets.
By Donna LeValley
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Why Your Medicare Premiums Are $200 Higher Than They Should BeHere's how overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans are driving up Part B costs for every Medicare beneficiary.
By Donna LeValley
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The 10 Most Costly Social Security Mistakes to AvoidWant to maximize your Social Security check? Learn the 10 most common Social Security filing errors and the steps you need to take to boost your guaranteed retirement income.
By Donna LeValley
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Turning 65 in 2026? Here Is Exactly How to Sign Up for MedicareDon't miss the critical window for Medicare enrollment. This guide explains how to secure coverage and avoid costly mistakes.
By Donna LeValley
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Regret Your Move to Medicare Advantage? Two 'Safety Nets' Can HelpDiscover the federal protections (one expires on April 1) and state-level hurdles you’ll face when switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare.
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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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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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
