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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Biden Extends Suspension of Student Loan Payments
loans The president gave borrowers another 90 days until May 1 before they have to start paying back their student loans.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
loans -
Scammers Target Last-minute Shoppers
Scams Products may be in short supply, but potential thieves are not. Be “scam smart” to keep your holiday happy.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Scams -
Last-minute Gifts That Save Money All Year
spending Supply chain issues may not have motivated you to buy early and now you’re panicked. No need to worry; we’ve got you covered.
By Stacy Rapacon Published
spending -
What You Should Know About Giving Tuesday
Charity After draining their wallets to buy holiday gifts, Americans will dig deeper into their pockets for charities on Giving Tuesday.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Charity -
Renting a Car Over the Holidays Will Be a Trip
cars Chip shortages, the pandemic and a surge in demand will combine to make renting a car a challenge. Here’s our best advice to find a rental you can afford.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
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2021 Holiday Travel May Not Be Jolly
Travel With shortages threatening holiday vacations, here’s what to expect — and what you can do.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Travel -
Workers: Expect Higher Salaries and More Perks in 2022
Employee Benefits The pandemic economy, the “Great Resignation” and inflation are motivating companies to raise wages and find ways to increase employee satisfaction.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Employee Benefits -
Sell Your Gold Safely for a Fair Price
personal finance Selling gold jewelry and coins can be daunting with hucksters abounding. Here’s how to avoid being scammed.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
personal finance -
529 Plans
529 Plans 529 plans offer considerable convenience and potential tax savings when putting money aside for education. That said, there are still a range of rules you’ll need to know (and follow).
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
529 Plans -
Will Travel Insurance Pay for a Trip Cancelled Because of COVID-19?
Travel The solution for most COVID-related trip cancellations may be a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
Travel -
Pandemic Aid That’s Still Available
health insurance Broad-based stimulus checks and the like are over, but some people still qualify for help.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
health insurance -
Annuities
Annuities As interest rates increase, so does the appeal of annuities. How much do you know about these insurance products?
By Sandra Block Published
Annuities -
Resist the Impulse to Buy These 14 Holiday Gifts
shopping Don't let those holiday sale promotions persuade you into buying something now that will be much cheaper later.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Published
shopping -
17 Free or Cheap Things to Do With Your Kids During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Raising Money-Smart Kids We’ve got lots of kid-friendly activities to do at home that will keep your family safe and your finances sound.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Published
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Your Tree, Your Neighbor’s Property: Whose Insurance Pays?
insurance And how to be a good neighbor when your tree drops by uninvited.
By Elaine Silvestrini Published
insurance -
8 Risky Jobs That Pay Big Bucks
career planning From professional athletes to police officers, some jobs carry more risks than others. If you don’t mind possible injury or even the possibility of death, here are some dangerous jobs that offer financial compensation for the risks.
By Stacy Rapacon Published
career planning