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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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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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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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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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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The Little-Known Tool to Protect Your Retirement Savings in a DivorceLearn why a divorce decree isn't enough to protect your retirement assets. You need a QDRO to divide the accounts to avoid paying penalties or income tax.
By Donna LeValley
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How Your Social Security Check Changes at Ages 62, 65, 66, 67 and 70The longer you wait, the bigger your Social Security check. We break it down by the most common ages at which people claim their benefits.
By Donna LeValley
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Safe or Seizable?: The IRA & Bankruptcy Protection QuizQuiz Depending on the type of IRA you own and/or how you inherited it, your "safe" money might actually be on the table for creditors.
By Donna LeValley
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4 High-End Experiences Worth the Splurge After 50These curated date ideas provide the perfect backdrop for couples ready to enjoy the very best that the world has to offer.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Do You Know How to Maximize Your Social Security Check?Quiz Test your knowledge of Social Security delayed retirement credits with our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Do You Know How to Avoid the "Medigap Trap?"
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of the "Medigap Trap" in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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What Home Equity Is and Why It's a Valuable Long-Term InvestmentUnderstanding what home equity is and why it's such a valued long-term investment.
By Donna LeValley
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5 Financial Red Flags to Watch for in RelationshipsFinancial red flags can impact whether you and your mate can have a financially sound future together.
By Donna LeValley
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Oval Office Legacies: The Social Security History Quiz
Quiz Test your knowledge of the historical development of Social Security under various U.S. presidents from Roosevelt to Trump.
By Donna LeValley
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Presidents and Social Security: How Presidents Have Impacted America's First Social Insurance PolicySince its inception in 1935, Social Security has expanded its mission and reach. Here is how each president from Roosevelt to Trump has impacted Social Security.
By Donna LeValley
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The $200,000 Olympic 'Pension' is a Retirement Game-Changer for Team USAThe donation by financier Ross Stevens is meant to be a "retirement program" for Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
By Donna LeValley
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When to Apply for Social Security Payments? Your Age MattersDo you know when to apply for Social Security benefits? What's the best age to start receiving monthly payments? Part of the answer lies in your birth year.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Are You Ready for the 2026 401(k) Catch-Up Shakeup?
Quiz If you are 50 or older and a high earner, these new catch-up rules fundamentally change how your "extra" retirement savings are taxed and reported.
By Donna LeValley
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How to Avoid Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties ForeverWhether you're still working or plan to retire this year, understanding the 2026 late penalties for Parts A, B and D is essential for your financial health.
By Donna LeValley
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Prior Authorization for Traditional Medicare Patients Has Started in 6 StatesThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented prior authorization requirements for certain traditional fee-for-service Medicare services in six states starting this year.
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 cost to retire in the year you were born.
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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4% and Chill? Find Out If This Distribution Rule Fits Your RetirementTake this simple quiz to discover whether the 4% Rule will work for you in retirement.
By Donna LeValley
