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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Social Security Turns 90 — Five Important Things to Know
Social Security has become a cornerstone of the American retirement system and works to keep over 16 million retirees above the poverty line. Here are five key facts about the program as it turns 90.
By Donna LeValley
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How Much Will Social Security's 2033 Shortfall Cost You?
The Social Security trust fund will be insolvent in 2033 and by 2035 will have to reduce benefits by 23%. Here is now much more you need to save to cover the potential shortfall.
By Donna LeValley
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Five Social Security Myths That Can Cost You Thousands
Before you collect Social Security benefits, make sure you don't believe any of these falsehoods.
By Donna Fuscaldo
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How to Navigate Your Medicare Advantage Plan in a Disaster
If you're a Medicare Advantage member in an area that has been impacted by a disaster, you might be worried about access to care and medicine. Here's what you need to know.
By Donna LeValley
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Does Donald Trump Claim Social Security Benefits?
Social Security is a hot topic. I thought it would be interesting to see if President Trump and previous presidents collect Social Security benefits.
By Donna LeValley
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Presidents and Social Security: How Presidents Have Impacted America's First Social Insurance Policy
Since 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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How Moving Might Impact Your Medicare Coverage
Your Medicare plan’s coverage area will determine if you need to make changes after a move.
By Donna LeValley
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Five Ways to Make Your Home More Age-Friendly
retirement Age in place by renovating these five areas of your home, and live independently, surrounded by the things you know.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein
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Unlock Your Home Equity: Why Ending Capital Gains on Home Sales Would Be a Game Changer for Retirees
Many retirees who would like to sell their homes and downsize can't because of the tax hit. Ending capital gains on home sales would change all that.
By Donna LeValley
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The 10 Places Where Social Security Covers the Most (and Least) Of Your Expenses
On average, Social Security covers 30.11% of retirees’ spending. Fortunately, there are places where those dollars will stretch further and cover more of your spending.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Administration Reverses Plan on Paper Checks: What Beneficiaries Should Know
The Social Security Administration has backed off from plans to eliminate paper checks. However, it will only send checks in the mail as a matter of last resort.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Garnishment: Understand the Rules and Safeguard Your Benefits
Do 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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Humana to Cut Prior Authorizations for Medicare Advantage Plans by 2026
Humana, the second-largest provider of Medicare Advantage Plans, has pledged to streamline the often frustrating Prior Authorization process.
By Donna LeValley
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How to Apply for Social Security Online or In Person at Any Age
There are two ways to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. When you apply for benefits has no impact on how you file to claim your benefits.
By Donna LeValley
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Could This Little Known Data Shift Hurt Your 2026 Social Security COLA?
The BLS has changed how it measures the inflationary data that determines whether Social Security benefits will get a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Will it hurt your benefits?
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Fairness Act Payments Checklist: Nine Things to Know
This Social Security Fairness Act checklist explains what public sector retirees can expect from SSFA, including when their payments will arrive and how much more money they may receive.
By Donna LeValley
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Most Changes to HSAs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Did Not Make the Final Cut
HSAs were set to get a glow-up in the House version of the OBBB. Unfortunately for most retirees, the final bill did not include many of the benefits proposed by the House.
By Donna LeValley
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Prior Authorization Coming to Traditional Medicare Starting in 2026
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement prior authorization requirements for certain traditional fee-for-service Medicare services in six states starting next year.
By Donna LeValley
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Don't Fall For These Five Costly Medicare Myths
Signing up for Medicare can be complicated, and mistakes can be costly. Let's demystify these five Medicare myths to avoid expensive penalties.
By Donna LeValley
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Bonds: Everything You Need to Know
investing Bond yield, maturity, interest and price explained.
By Donna LeValley
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Four Proposed Changes to Medicare in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
4 Proposed Changes to Medicare in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — and What Ended Up in the Signed Bill
By Donna LeValley
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Five Ways You Can Lose Your Medicare Benefits
Your Medicare coverage can be disrupted or lost through your own actions or for reasons outside of your control. Don't let that happen to you.
By Donna LeValley
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Is Your IRA Protected from Creditors in Bankruptcy?
Can creditors take some or part of your IRA funds if you file for bankruptcy? Learn more about the federal protections that exist and to what extent they protect your IRAs.
By Donna LeValley
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TIPS vs I-Bonds
Both TIPS and I-bonds are hedges against inflation. Learn about the pros and cons of each before you invest.
By Donna LeValley
