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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5 Year-End Moves to Maximize Your 2025 Retirement Savings
Sponsored by Savant Wealth Management
Retirement planning is about consistency, commitment and making the most of every dollar. Here are five high-impact moves to ensure long-term growth.
By Donna LeValley
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Are You Ready for 65? The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period Quiz
Quiz Turning 65 soon? Test your basic knowledge of Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) rules in our quick quiz.
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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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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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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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
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The 10 Most Costly Social Security Mistakes to Avoid
Want 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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The Social Security Test Every Wealthy Retiree Must Take
When 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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2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%: What You Need to Know
The SSA has announced the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), the new maximum taxable wage cap, and the earnings requirements for Social Security credits.
By Donna LeValley
