
Sandra Block
Sandra Block, senior editor for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, has covered personal finance for more than 20 years. In her current role at Kiplinger’s, she covers retirement, taxes and a range of other personal finance issues. She also edits the Ahead section of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and contributes to Kiplinger’s.com and Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.
Before joining Kiplinger, Sandy was a personal finance reporter and columnist for USA TODAY. During that time, she was a regular guest on CNN, Fox Business News and NPR. Before joining USA TODAY, Sandy worked as a business reporter for the Akron Beacon-Journal, where she covered businesses in northeastern Ohio and assisted in the newspaper’s coverage of the 1995 World Series. While Cleveland lost in six games, Sandy still considers this the highlight of her journalism career.
In her early years, Sandy was a reporter for Dow Jones News Service in Washington, DC, where she covered the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve.
Sandy graduated cum laude from Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia., and was a fellow in the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business at Columbia University. She is co-author of the “Busy Family’s Guide to Money” and “Easy Ways to Lower Your Taxes: Simple Strategies Every Taxpayer Should Know.”
Sandy divides her time between Arlington, Va., and her home state of West Virginia. In her spare time, Sandy is a voracious reader and tries to keep her rescue border collie from getting into trouble.
Latest articles by Sandra Block
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 17 States With Scary Estate and Inheritance TaxesEstate Tax Over a dozen states currently impose estate or inheritance taxes on heirs. Here’s where you’ll have to pay. By Sandra Block Last updated Estate Tax
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 The Basics of Estate PlanningIf you have a will or trust, congratulations. But you’re not done with estate planning. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 Five Ways to Catch Up on Retirement SavingsIf you’re in your highest-earning years, you can make up for lost time. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 Seven Things You Should Do Before 2026 Because of One Big Beautiful Bill ChangesThe new law ushers in significant changes for most taxpayers. Make these moves now to take advantage of them. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Why Turning 65 Isn't What It Used to Be, According to an ExpertWith more than 4 million people turning 65 in 2025, an expert in psychology and aging explains why so many of them are thriving like never before. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 How to Appeal the IRMAA for Medicare Parts B and DMedicare There’s a good chance you can get your IRMAA eliminated or reduced if your income has dropped in the past two years. By Jackie Stewart Last updated Medicare
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 'Rich' Tricks to Volunteer and Donate in RetirementThere may be some tax benefits to giving back in retirement. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Eight Strategies for Deciding When to File For Social SecurityApplying at age 70 maximizes your monthly payout, but claiming early could provide advantages that can’t be quantified on a spreadsheet. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 The Eight Best Places to Retire for RentersKiplinger looked at great places to retire in the United States for people planning to rent their living space. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 Nine Things You May Not Know About Social SecurityEven if you’ve been collecting benefits for years, you may have more to learn. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Six Steps to Appeal Your Property Tax BillProperty Tax As home values increase nationwide, property taxes are also on the rise. By Lisa Gerstner Last updated Property Tax
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 13 Answers to Pressing Social Security QuestionsFrom smart claiming strategies for couples to tips on maximizing your monthly check, we have advice that can help you. By Sandra Block Published 
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 My Lesson Learned: Retirees Need a BudgetA new retiree explains why retirees need a budget. By Sandra Block Published 
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 What You Should Know About Spousal IRAsWithout spousal IRAs, you would need earned income to contribute to your retirement account. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 Does It Make Sense to Rent In Retirement?Making Your Money Last Renting isn't right for all retirees, but it does offer flexibility, and it frees up cash. By Sandra Block Last updated Making Your Money Last
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 My Advice for Enrolling in Medicare Part B — Based on ExperienceEnrolling in Medicare is notoriously complicated and can result in penalties if you get the timing wrong. Here are some valuable tips for first-timers. By Sandra Block Published 
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 No Cash? No ProblemMore and more Americans have abandoned paper money and coins, but there are risks to using peer-to-peer digital payments. By Sandra Block Last updated 
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 What Retirees Need to Know About TaxesTake steps to avoid a surprise tax bill and underpayment penalties. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Planning Summer Travel? Use These StrategiesTo save money on summer travel, book your tickets well ahead of time, use technology and avoid popular destinations. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Why You Should Take Extra Care With Your Tax ReturnFiling Taxes You can minimize your tax bill and avoid unwanted attention from the IRS by watching out for common errors and oversights. By Sandra Block Published Filing Taxes
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 The Outlook for Home and Auto Insurance in 2025?Home and auto insurance premiums may not increase as much as in recent years, but the industry remains under pressure. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Is 2025 the Year Workers Will Return to the Office?Managers want to cut back on remote work, but many employees value flexibility. By Sandra Block Published 
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 Protect Your Retirement Income from InflationMaking Your Money Last With a new President promising tariffs on imported goods from China, Mexico and Canada, inflation may rise in 2025, but that doesn’t have to jeopardize your long-term security. By Sandra Block Last updated Making Your Money Last
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 5 Ways the Second Trump Term Could Affect Your FinancesIncome tax cuts are likely to be extended, but electric vehicle tax credits could disappear. By Sandra Block Published 
