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
-
Can You Actually Get Paid to Care for an Aging Parent?Learn how to tap Medicaid or other programs for income in this week's Wealth Wise advice column. You may be able to balance caregiving with your career.
By Maurie Backman
-
REITs in Retirement: Steady Income or Too Much Risk?REITs can offer high dividend yields and passive income for retirees, but they come with risks. Do real estate investment trusts belong in your portfolio?
By Maurie Backman
-
He's 49 and 'Burned Out.' Can He Afford to Quit a $200K Job?With no mortgage and a solid nest egg, a reader in this week's advice column wants to take a year-long sabbatical in Europe. Is he nuts? Or brilliant?
By Maurie Backman
-
How the AI Entry-Level Freeze Is Delaying RetirementRecent college grads face endless job rejections, forcing parents in their 60s to put exit plans on hold. Here's how families can navigate the strain.
By Maurie Backman
-
Should You Ditch Stocks in Retirement? The 3 Times You CanConventional wisdom says to keep stocks, but experts outline three reasons you might want to go stock-free in retirement.
By Maurie Backman
-
Should You Go All In on an S&P 500 ETF for Retirement Savings?The S&P 500 has been a portfolio staple for generations. But how should an index ETF actually fit into your retirement strategy? Here is what experts say.
By Maurie Backman
-
529 Plan vs. Roth IRA: Best Way to Pay for Grandkids' CollegeBefore you touch your retirement fund, consider how taxes and financial aid rules change the math. In this week's Wealth Wise column, we break down the right choice.
By Maurie Backman
-
'Subsidized Adulting': Can You Afford to Help Your Kids?Supporting your adult kids shouldn’t mean risking your retirement. Our Wealth Wise columnist explains how to help them when times are tough.
By Maurie Backman
-
Business Owners Can Balance AI, Employee Loyalty and RetirementScaling your business for an exit doesn’t mean shedding your soul. Here is how to leverage AI to elevate your people and maximize your final payout.
By Maurie Backman
-
Regret Claiming Social Security Early?Don't beat yourself up; it's a common mistake to claim Social Security too early. Here are ways to fix it and get bigger checks.
By Maurie Backman
-
Should Fully Funded Retirees Invest Like 30-Year-Olds?When your savings are meant for the next generation, your investment timeline isn't yours anymore. Our Wealth Wise columnist explains how to adjust.
By Maurie Backman
-
How to Stay in Your Beloved Neighborhood as You AgeYour neighbors are your friends and support system. Aging in place means you'll need to account for more than just maintenance and rising property taxes.
By Maurie Backman
-
Mom Needs Medicaid for Nursing. Should I Spend Down Her Assets?Medicaid has undergone massive budget cuts and restructuring. Here's how your loved one can still qualify.
By Maurie Backman
-
Blindsided by Medicare’s 2-Year IRMAA Rule? Now What?A sudden spike in your income can trigger costly Medicare surcharges two years down the road. Here is how affluent retirees can protect their wealth.
By Maurie Backman
-
The 'Florida Flip' for Roth Conversions and Lower RMDsStaring down a massive RMD tax bill at age 75? Relocating to a zero-tax state for a few years could slash your Roth conversion costs. Just beware of the pitfalls.
By Maurie Backman
-
How Do I Protect My $5 Million From My Freely Spending Partner?"I'm a wealthy saver, he's a lavish spender with a mortgage. Am I crazy to consider marriage?" Kiplinger's Wealth Wise team answers a reader's financial dilemma.
By Maurie Backman
-
I'm 60 With $4 million — Can I Have a Luxury Retirement?With inflation and volatility, how careful should I be?
By Maurie Backman
-
I Retired at 63 and My Grown Kids Want Help With ChildcareI love my grandkids, but It's too much. What should I do? We asked therapists and relationship experts for advice.
By Maurie Backman
-
She's 63 and a Veteran, He's 62. How Should They Manage Healthcare?In our retirement advice column, Wealth Wise, our reader turns 65 a year before a spouse. Here's how to seamlessly bridge the age gap using veteran benefits.
By Maurie Backman
-
Is a 'Lost Decade' Threatening Your Retirement Savings?High market valuations are triggering dot-com-era flashbacks, but panic isn't a financial strategy for retirement savers.
By Maurie Backman
-
Shopping for Long-Term Care Insurance at Age 50, 55, 60 and 65Long-term care insurance can help offset one of the biggest financial blind spots in retirement. But timing and strategy are everything.
By Maurie Backman
-
6 Fun (and Cheap) Ways to Stay Busy in RetirementIt's not all about the big trips and special occasions. There are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself day-to-day in retirement without breaking the bank.
By Maurie Backman
-
How to Fire Your Financial Adviser (Who Is Also a Friend)If your portfolio has been underperforming, you might need to fire your adviser. That gets tricky if you share a friend group.
By Maurie Backman
-
You’ve Mastered Asset Allocation — Now It’s Time for Asset LocationIn our retirement advice column, Wealth Wise, a 66-year-old retiree learns how strategically placing your stocks, bonds, and cash can save you thousands.
By Maurie Backman
