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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Cash In on Your Medicare Advantage Flex Card Perks Before They DisappearWith 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 QuizQuiz 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 RegretGet a Social Security do-over. Learn how to stop and restart Social Security.
By Jacob Wolinsky
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Are You Entitled? A Social Security Spousal Benefits QuizQuiz 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 Winterhome 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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2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%: What You Need to KnowThe 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
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CMS Brings Back Furloughed Staff for Open Enrollment LifelineThe government has recalled approximately 3,000 workers to assist with Medicare and ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment.
By Donna LeValley
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Ready to File? Test Your Social Security Application IQ
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of filing for Social Security benefits in our 10 question quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Do You Know Your ABCDs? The Essential Medicare Parts Quiz
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of different parts of Medicare in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Don't Miss Out! A Quiz on Medicare Enrollment Deadlines
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of Medicare enrollment periods in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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2026 Social Security COLA Announcement Is Back on Track Despite Government ShutdownBLS announces that the September CPI, a key inflation measure needed to determine the Social Security COLA, will be released on September 24 despite the ongoing government shutdown.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Open Enrollment Is Starting SoonMedicare During the annual enrollment period each fall, you can select a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan or switch back to original Medicare.
By Donna LeValley
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Your Medicare Costs Are Set to Soar: What to Expect 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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Major Insurers Scale Back Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans for 2026. What You Need to Know.Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans might be losing their plan as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna (CVS Health) scale back offerings for 2026.
By Donna LeValley
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5 Things to Consider Now If You Want to Retire in 2026Sponsored by Savant Wealth Management
To retire with confidence in the year ahead, tackle these essential tasks right now.
By Donna LeValley
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Bond Ratings and What They Meaninvesting Bond ratings measure the creditworthiness of your bond issuer. Understanding bond ratings can help you limit your risk and maximize your yield.
By Donna LeValley
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The Medicare Surcharge: Test Your IRMAA Knowledge
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of the income-related monthly adjustment amount in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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How Medicare Is Affected by a Government ShutdownA look at how Medicare is affected by a government shutdown, as well as other government-related health care.
By Donna LeValley
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Will Your Social Security Checks Stop During the Government Shutdown?Will your Social Security check be derailed or delayed by a government shutdown? What services might be paused? We've got answers.
By Donna LeValley
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Here Is How Much You'll Pay for Medicare Premiums and Deductibles in 2025Medicare premiums for 2025, and the cost of Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Part D premiums and deductibles, have gone up. Here is how much you'll pay in 2025.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: The COLA Challenge: Test Your Knowledge of Social Security
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of the Social Security COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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The 15 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Editionplaces to live Have 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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Quiz: Do You Know What Medicare Gives You for Free?
Quiz This quiz tests your knowledge of the services that Medicare provides at no cost to you.
By Donna LeValley
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Are COVID Shots Still Covered By Medicare?Getting the new COVID-19 vaccine covered by Medicare isn't as easy this year as it was in the past. Here's what you need to know before you take a trip to your pharmacy.
By Donna LeValley
