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
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Are We On Track for Retirement Despite a Late Start?You don't need to cut the cable to retire comfortably. In this week's Wealth Wise advice column, advisers tell a couple with $300K saved how to catch up.
By Maurie Backman
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How Friends Can Co-Own a Vacation HomeSet it up correctly from the start, and you can share a dream getaway with friends all the way into retirement — without risking your nest egg.
By Maurie Backman
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Is Your Will 'Fair'? Estate Planning Is About More Than MoneyDividing assets equally can still trigger family drama. Here’s how to navigate tax traps, emotional heirlooms, and blended families so your heirs feel loved — not cheated.
By Maurie Backman
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6 Innovative Ways to Earn Extra Income in RetirementFrom monetizing garage space to selling niche expertise, retirees are boosting cash flow on their own terms.
By Maurie Backman
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Should You Upsize When College and Retirement Collide?With $4 million saved, a couple wants a bigger home for their teens before retiring in eight years. In this week's Wealth Wise advice column, advisers reveal why it’s risky — and smart alternatives.
By Maurie Backman
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Five Roth IRA Pitfalls Your Adviser May Not Tell You AboutThere's a lot to love about Roth IRAs, but their downsides are very real. They could put a dent in your retirement savings if you're unaware of them.
By Maurie Backman
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Roth Conversion Strategy for High Earners Approaching RMDsDiscover how a 69-year-old engineer can successfully convert a $1.2 million IRA to a Roth before RMDs begin. Learn about IRMAA, tax issues and legacy planning.
By Maurie Backman
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Is a 60/40 Portfolio Too Aggressive in Your Seventies?Generous pensions can act as a safety net, but concentration risk and healthcare gaps still loom large for retirees. This week's Wealth Wise advice column breaks it down.
By Maurie Backman
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3 Signs Medicare Advantage is Wrong for YouWhile Medicare Advantage offers great perks, it isn't perfect. Here are three signs you should stick with original Medicare.
By Maurie Backman
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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'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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
