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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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
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The Benefits of I Bonds vs EE Bonds to Store Your Savings
All of the information you'll need to choose between Series I and EE savings bonds is right here.
By Donna LeValley
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Need More Money for Retirement? You May Have Already Saved It. Here's How to Find Your Lost 401(k).
Over 29 million lost 401(k) accounts worth almost $1.65 trillion have been forgotten by their owners. Here are nine ways you can locate your account.
By Donna LeValley
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The Social Security Fairness Act May Change How You Pay Medicare Premiums
If you receive an upward adjustment to your monthly Social Security benefits due to the SSFA, how you pay your Medicare premiums might change.
By Donna LeValley
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Six Reasons to Disinherit Someone and How to Do It
Whether 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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Four Tax-Friendly Ways to Pay for Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance Use these four tax-friendly ways to pay for your long-term care premiums.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Social Security Under Trump Live Updates: Final Blog Post — for Now
Social Security Blog Social Security has undergone big changes in 2025 under President Trump. Get live daily news, updates, tips and analysis to help you navigate the developments.
By Donna LeValley
Social Security Blog -
How to Set the Price to Sell Your Home
real estate If you're selling your home, setting the right price is crucial. Don't overprice or you'll scare away prospective buyers.
By Donna LeValley
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Registered Social Security Analyst: The Retirement Professional that Can Help You Maximize Your Benefits
The services of a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) are often overlooked. Yet, for those planning for retirement, nearing or already retired, an RSSA can be an invaluable resource.
By Donna LeValley
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Bond Basics: Municipal Bonds (Munis)
The higher your tax bracket, the more you'll benefit from Munis — bonds issued by state and local agencies.
By Donna LeValley
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Secure Your Social Security: The Essential Role of a Representative Payee
Even with a power of attorney or joint bank account, the Social Security Administration may hamstring your financial representative without one of these.
By Donna LeValley
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Tax Reconciliation Bill Could Trigger $500 Billion in Mandatory Medicare Cuts
The deficits caused by the tax bill would trigger the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and force billions in cuts to Medicare. However, Congress can block the implementation of the cuts.
By Donna LeValley
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How to Find and Correct Errors on Your Social Security Earnings Record
Your Social Security benefits are based on your Social Security earnings record. It's important to review your records to avoid having your benefits reduced.
By Donna LeValley
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The Average Social Security Claiming Age is Trending Higher
Fewer people are claiming Social Security benefits at age 62. Better health and the elimination of the earnings test after 65 have lowered barriers to working longer.
By Donna LeValley
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You Can Now Collect a Public Pension and Full Social Security Benefits
retirement If you receive a public pension from the government, you can now collect full Social Security benefits as well as your pension, due to the Social Security Fairness Act.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Earnings Tests: Five Things You Must Know
social security If you’re still working and claim Social Security early, your benefits could be reduced, at least temporarily.
By Jackie Stewart
social security -
Gift Like Buffet: Three Financial Gifts for Your Kids and Grandkids
Warren Buffet used to give his family cash for Christmas. After learning they neither saved nor invested it, he gave them something more practical.
By Donna LeValley
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How the Social Security Administration Is Coping with Rapid Change
There has been a fair amount of change at the SSA since Trump took office. Here's a look at what's new this year and how it will impact the agency going forward.
By Donna LeValley
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SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k): Which Is Better for You?
Two retirement plans, the solo 401(k) and SEP IRAs, allow small business owners and the self-employed to save up to $69,000 annually.
By Donna LeValley
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Thirteen local Social Security offices will temporarily stop all in-person service and will only be available by telephone. .
A departure from closing locations, 13 local Social Security offices will temporarily stop all in-person service and will only be available by telephone.
By Donna LeValley
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15 Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know
Sometimes 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
