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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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
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How Medigap Insurance Is Affected by Preexisting Conditionsinsurance Delaying enrollment in a medigap policy can lead to higher premiums and denial of coverage in most states.
By Kimberly Lankford
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Don't Toss It! Why Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change MattersIf you have Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan, reviewing your Annual Notice of Change is crucial. It can save you money and ensure you can still see your preferred doctors and hospitals.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: Social Security Basics
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of the Social Security program in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Prior Authorization Expands to Ambulatory Surgical CentersStarting in December, Medicare will begin requiring prior authorization for certain procedures when performed in ambulatory surgical centers.
By Donna LeValley
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What Is the Par Value of Bonds?Understanding par value will help you determine the value of a bond.
By Donna LeValley
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How to Get a Refund For a Water Leakreal estate Refunds for water leaks are available from municipalities if you report and fix the problem.
By Donna LeValley
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Medicare Premiums Projected to Jump in 2026In 2026, Medicare participants will pay more for their health care. Part B costs are expected to rise more than 10%. Here's what you can do.
By Donna LeValley
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Social Security Turns 90 — Five Important Things to KnowSocial 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 Ways to Make Your Home More Age-Friendlyretirement 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 RetireesMany 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 ExpensesOn 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 KnowThe 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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Humana to Cut Prior Authorizations for Medicare Advantage Plans by 2026Humana, 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 AgeThere 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 KnowThis 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 CutHSAs 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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Bonds: Everything You Need to Knowinvesting 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 Act4 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 BenefitsYour 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
