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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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
retirement -
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
investing -
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
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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-BondsBoth 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 SavingsAll 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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The Social Security Fairness Act May Change How You Pay Medicare PremiumsIf 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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Four Tax-Friendly Ways to Pay for Long-Term Care InsuranceLong-Term Care Insurance Use these four tax-friendly ways to pay for your long-term care premiums.
By Kimberly Lankford
Long-Term Care Insurance -
Social Security Under Trump Live Updates: Final Blog Post — for NowSocial 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 -
Registered Social Security Analyst: The Retirement Professional that Can Help You Maximize Your BenefitsThe 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 PayeeEven 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 CutsThe 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 RecordYour 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 HigherFewer 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
