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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18 States With Scary Estate and Inheritance Taxes
Estate 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
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What Social Security Beneficiaries Should Know About 2025 Numbers
Declining inflation led to the lowest cost-of-living adjustment since 2020, with the 2025 COLA set to rise 2.5%.
By Sandra Block Published
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Afraid to Retire? How to Overcome Your Fear and Enjoy Retirement
Even with a well-funded nest egg, giving up a paycheck is hard. Here's how to start the journey.
By Sandra Block Last updated
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9 Year-End Money Moves to Make Now
Boost your retirement savings, lower your taxes and get the most out of your health insurance.
By Sandra Block Published
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How Lower Interest Rates Affect Your Finances: Credit Cards, Car Loans and Mortgages
The Fed's rate cuts will provide relief for some borrowers, but savers will have to work harder to get decent returns.
By Sandra Block Published
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What You Should Know About Spousal IRAs
Without spousal IRAs, you would need an earned income to contribute to your retirement account.
By Sandra Block Published
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New Rules for Retirement Savings Taking Effect in 2025
Many employees will be able to contribute more money to tax-advantaged workplace plans.
By Sandra Block Published
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How to Appeal the Medicare IRMAA for 2024 and 2025
Medicare 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
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How to Step Confidently Into Your Life After Retirement
Retiring after decades in the work world can mean reckoning with issues related to identity and lifestyle. Here's how retirees can shed their career identities and embrace retirement.
By Sandra Block Published
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New Rules are Shaking Up the Real Estate Market. Here's What You Need to Know
Buyers and sellers have more room to negotiate commissions, and that could reduce home prices over the long run.
By Sandra Block Published
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The Basics of Estate Planning
If you have a will or trust, congratulations. But you’re not done with estate planning.
By Sandra Block Last updated
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Smart Ways to Manage an Inheritance
inheritance How you handle an inheritance is key. A bequest could change your life, but don’t quit your day job.
By Sandra Block Last updated
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The 8 Best Places to Retire for Renters
Kiplinger 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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Why You Should Expect a Lower Social Security COLA for 2025
Avoid the COLA social security dip in 2025 with a Health Savings Account
By Sandra Block Published
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Do You Have to Take Money Out of Your Inherited IRA?
A reprieve for adult children and other non-spouse beneficiaries of inherited IRAs will end in 2025.
By Sandra Block Published
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How to Use 'Giving While Living' In Estate Planning
If you want to give an inheritance while you're alive, there are many points to think through, including what you can afford and what the rules are around giving.
By Sandra Block Published
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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
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How to Avoid the 'Widow's Penalty' After the Loss of a Spouse
After a spouse dies, people face the "widow's penalty," in which their tax bill may rise. Here's how to avoid it.
By Sandra Block Published
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Annuities: 10 Things to Know
annuities As interest rates increase, so does the appeal of annuities. How much do you know about these insurance products?
By Sandra Block Last updated
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This Act Has Been Protecting Your Retirement Plans For 50 Years
ERISA, which turns 50 this year, safeguards pensions and 401(k) plans. But it has limitations.
By Sandra Block Published
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Who Do High Interest Rates Hurt? College Students
High interest rates mean college students will pay more to borrow. Savers will continue to benefit but need to remain vigilant.
By Sandra Block Published
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8 Great Places for Snowbirds to Land
These affordable warm-weather cities for snowbirds offer plenty of housing options, abundant activities for retirees and access to good health care.
By Sandra Block Published
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Pension
If you’re expecting a pension when you retire, your decisions on how it’s distributed could have long-term effects on your financial security.
By Sandra Block Published
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Tax-Smart Strategies for Account Withdrawals
Understanding the best way to tap your IRAs and other accounts can help you preserve your savings and lower your tax bill.
By Sandra Block Published