Elaine Silvestrini
Senior retirement editor Elaine Silvestrini has had an extensive career as a newspaper and online journalist, with several years of experience covering financial and retirement topics ranging from annuities to Social Security. Formerly a Kiplinger associate personal financial editor, she has received recognition for her coverage of annuities and tax fraud, among other subjects. Her newspaper career focused primarily on legal issues at the Tampa Tribune and the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey. Her beats have also included breaking news, municipal government, the military and mental health. She has won several awards, including from the Florida Society of Professional Journalists and Florida Sunshine State Awards in categories including community leadership. Among her recognized work was an examination of a phenomenon known as the annuity puzzle, which describes how people who could benefit from annuities hesitate to buy them. She has also been cited for a series of Tampa Tribune stories about tax refund fraud in Tampa, Florida, in which she uncovered shortcomings in the ability of law enforcement to address rampant theft from taxpayers. This reporting helped lead to a change in Florida identity theft law to make it easier to prosecute criminals. She’s had fellowships at Journalist Law School at Loyola and at the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. In more recent years, she's written for several marketing, legal, financial and health websites, including Insurance Journal, Annuity.org, Drugwatch,com, Health.com and LegalExaminer.com, and the newsletters Auto Insurance Report and Property Insurance Report. In addition, she worked for nearly a year as an assistant criminal defense investigator in the Federal Public Defender Office in Tampa. Originally from New Jersey, she lives in Florida with her husband and cats.
Latest articles by Elaine Silvestrini
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Veterans Should Look Out for These Scams
What scams to look out for if you are a veteran.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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The Best Places to Retire in the World
When it comes to the best places to retire, which country is at the top of the list? And where does the U.S. feature on the leaderboard? We investigate.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Sweetheart Swindlers: “I Love You; Send Money”
Scams Be wary of falling in love online. And parting with your money.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Why Install Solar Panels in Your Home? Should You Go Solar in 2023?
New tax incentives are making the idea of solar panels more enticing, especially with higher electric and heating bills. Here are some things to consider.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Advice-Only Financial Advisers Don't Touch Your Money
Most financial advisers are paid to manage their clients' investments. A small, and possibly growing, type of advisers, though, just gives advice.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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How to Qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Paying for College Even as broader breaks on student debt are rolled out, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program offers much more substantial help to those who qualify. But an important deadline is coming up.
By Rivan V. Stinson • Last updated
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The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Deadline is Oct. 31. What To Know Now
Student loans Public servants can qualify for student loan forgiveness. A waiver making it easy to apply expires Oct. 31. But you may get a second chance.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Scam Report: FTC Says Older Adults Targeted
The Federal Trade Commission says more money is being taken from older adults by scams involving social media, cryptocurrency and texts.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Now. What You Need to Know.
Once a year, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review their insurance choices and make adjustments according to their needs.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Considering a Medicare Advantage Plan? Be Wary of Promises
These private insurance alternatives to Medicare are growing in popularity at the same time they’re under scrutiny for their sales tactics and coverage.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Starting Today, Hearing Aids May be Sold Over the Counter
Healthy Living on a Budget The White House estimates people will save nearly $3,000 by not having to get them through a medical professional.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Medicare Costs to Go Down in 2023
Retirement Lower-than-expected spending on an expensive drug and other things means beneficiaries will pay less next year.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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401(k) Contribution Limits Rising Next Year
401(k)s Workers saving for retirement have a reason to rejoice over the 401(k) contribution limits for 2022 and can expect even more next year.
By Jackie Stewart • Last updated
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Text Scams: How to Avoid (and Report) Them
Spam texts are surpassing robocalls as the preferred choice of scammers. Here’s how to avoid being a victim.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Last updated
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Watch Out for Flood-Damaged Cars from Hurricane Ian
Buying & Leasing a Car In the wake of Hurricane Ian, more flood-damaged cars may hit the market. Car prices may rise further because of increased demand as well.
By Bob Niedt • Last updated
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6 of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. How to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck • Last updated
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25 Best College Majors for a Lucrative Career
college One way to increase your chances of earning a good living is to pick a college major that prepares you to work in a field that pays well. Here are some of the best options and how you might expect to fare.
By Stacy Rapacon • Last updated
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Using Your 401(k) to Delay Getting Social Security and Increase Payments
retirement Your 401(k) can be a bridge from retirement to higher monthly income.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Is Student Loan Debt Hurting Your Retirement Plans?
Paying for College Millions of borrowers 50 and older are struggling to repay loans for themselves and their children, some delaying retirement. There’s a trick, though, to help with repayment.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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How Do I Stop Robocalls From Scamming Me?
retirement The scammers have automated their efforts to separate you from your money. We have ways to make it stop.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Grandparent Scams Get Victims in Their Hearts
Scams If you get a call from someone who claims to be your grandchild in trouble and needing money right away, be wary. Don’t send any money or give any information until you verify the story.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Are Debt Collectors Overcharging You? How to Protect Yourself
debt management "Convenience fees” on debt repayments are likely illegal.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Beware the Caller From “The Government”: It’s a Scam
Scams Scammers' persistence is matched only by their insolence: They even try to impersonate the very agencies trying to stop their grift.
By Elaine Silvestrini • Published
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Annuities Rising in Popularity
annuities As interest rates increase, so does the appeal of annuities. How much do you know about these insurance products?
By Sandra Block • Last updated