Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman is a freelance contributor to Kiplinger. She has over a decade of experience writing about financial topics, including retirement, investing, Social Security, and real estate. She has written for USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, and Bankrate. She studied creative writing and finance at Binghamton University and merged the two disciplines to help empower consumers to make smart financial planning decisions.
Latest articles by Maurie Backman
-
Three Reasons to Skip the 401(k) Super Catch-Up
Older workers may want to forgo the 401(k) super catch-up and put their money to work elsewhere.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm retiring with $2.6 million. I'm worried about RMDs and taxes.
We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 61 and want a divorce. Should we live separately but stay married?
We asked Certified Divorce Financial Analysts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm feeling down since my grandkids left after the holidays.
We asked therapists for advice on how grandparents can handle the post-holiday blues.
By Maurie Backman
-
We're retired and fight more than ever. Should we take a break?
Can taking a break save a marriage? We asked professional relationship therapists for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
We're retired and mortgage-free, but he wants to downsize.
We've paid off our mortgage, have $970K in savings and $5K each month from Social Security. Kiplinger asked wealth planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 61 with $1.6 million. What New Year's resolutions can help me retire in 2026?
Here are seven tips from professional financial planners to help you retire in the new year.
By Maurie Backman
-
I retired at 75 with $1.4 million. Can I withdraw more than 4%?
We asked professional wealth advisers to weigh in.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 59 with $1.7 million saved and lost my job. Should I retire?
We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 73 and dread winter, but I can't afford to be a snowbird.
How can a snowbird wannabe warm up without the expense? We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I want to give my 3 grandkids $5K each for Christmas.
You're comfortably retired and want to give your grandkids a big Christmas check, but their parents are worried they might spend it all. We ask the pros for help.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm retired with $2.2 million. Should I give my shifts to a young coworker?
Should she quit her job so a struggling young colleague can take her shifts? We asked certified financial planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I retired at 63 and my grown kids want help with child care
We asked therapists and relationship experts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
My adult child was laid off. Can we discuss it without ruining the holidays?
We asked mental health and financial experts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm retiring with $3.3 million at age 65 and don't want to touch my portfolio's principal. Is this possible?
We ask financial professionals for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
My $1.2 million vacation home has a $360K mortgage. I don't need my upcoming $45K RMD. Should I use it to pay down the mortgage?
We asked wealth planners for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I’m 64, retired, and want to invest $400,000 of my $2.4 million portfolio in a winery startup. Am I crazy?
We ask wealth advisers to weigh in on the wine business and how to finance a retirement startup.
By Maurie Backman
-
Time to Stop Driving? When Older Drivers Need to Hang up the Car Keys
Does your older parent or spouse need to stop driving? It's one of the hardest transitions in aging, and there's no simple fix.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 57 with a great remote job, but my company wants me in the office full-time. I don't have the energy for a daily commute. Help!
We asked career planning and human resources experts for advice on how to handle return-to-work orders.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 54 with a $320,000 IRA and will soon be self-employed, earning about $120,000 per year. How much should I be saving for retirement?
We asked financial experts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 58, divorced, and dating again, but women just seem to care about the size of my bank account.
Does size matter? We ask experts in dating, financial planning and law for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 61 and need $50,000 for home repairs. Should I borrow, given today's rates, or take a withdrawal from my $950,000 401(k)?
We asked financial experts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 62 and want to work a few more years, but AI makes me feel like a dinosaur. Can't I just do my job without technology complicating things?
We asked professional career coaches for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
Living Solely on Investment Income in Retirement: Just a Fantasy?
Relying only on investment income from your portfolio is achievable for high-net-worth individuals and those with the right mix of investments. Is it for you?
By Maurie Backman
