Elaine Silvestrini
Senior retirement editor Elaine Silvestrini has worked for Kiplinger since 2021. Before that, she had 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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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
Student loans -
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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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
Healthy Living on a Budget -
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
Retirement -
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
401(k)s -
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
Buying & Leasing a Car -
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
college -
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
Paying for College -
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
retirement -
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
Scams -
Are Debt Collectors Overcharging You? How to Protect Yourself
debt management "Convenience fees” on debt repayments are likely illegal.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
debt management -
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
Scams -
Tech Support Fraud Targets Seniors
retirement Get a message offering help with a computer problem you didn’t think you had? It’s probably a scammer looking for your money and personal information
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
retirement -
Shingles Vaccines Work. But Medicare Won’t Always Cover Them.
Medicare Traditional Medicare Part B does not cover some recommended vaccines, including shingles shots; prescription drug plans include commercially available vaccinations, but are likely to require some payments from beneficiaries.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Medicare -
Repo Risk: Beware Illegal Car Repossessions
cars Used cars are worth more than ever before. The CFPB warns the hot market may tempt lenders to seize cars when they don’t have a legal right. What can you do if this happens to you?
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
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How to Get Your Grown Children to Move Out
personal finance The number of adults who live with their parents has been increasing for decades. For many, that’s a good thing. But if you’d like to uproot yours, here’s how.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
personal finance -
What You Can Do About Medical Debt
Budgeting Millions of Americans are awash in debt from medical care. If you’re one of them, we have your options, whether the bills are new or a collector is calling.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Budgeting -
When Will Student Loans Be Forgiven?
Paying for College Millions of Americans are waiting for the Biden Administration’s next hint, which could come later this summer, at how he’ll address the student loan crisis.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Paying for College -
Whatever Happened to Peer-to-Peer Lending?
Becoming an Investor While individuals can still invest in loans to consumers, most digital credit is underwritten by larger funding sources.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Becoming an Investor -
Seven Things You Should Know About Winning a Lottery Jackpot
Making Your Money Last It’s definitely not likely you’ll hit big. But if you win, you could be happy for years to come — no matter what the naysayers tell you.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Making Your Money Last -
Get Free Over-the-Counter COVID Tests Through Medicare
Medicare Beneficiaries can get up to eight tests a month through both original Medicare and Advantage plans.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Medicare -
What to Do When You Can’t Pay Holiday Debt
Budgeting More Americans borrowed money to pay for holiday purchases and now the bill is due. Balance transfer cards offer a reprieve.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Budgeting