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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Should You Use Your Financial Services Firm's Advisers?If you've saved up a decent-size nest egg with a financial services firm, chances are good it has offered you financial advice — for a price. Is it worth it?
By Sandra Block
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How Couples Can Manage Different Retirement TimelinesStaggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.
By Sandra Block
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Retirement Account Moves to Make Before December 31You can make retirement account moves before year-end. Consider topping off your contributions and taking your RMDs.
By Sandra Block
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What Social Security Beneficiaries Should Know About 2025 NumbersDeclining inflation led to the lowest cost-of-living adjustment since 2020, with the 2025 COLA set to rise 2.5%.
By Sandra Block
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Afraid to Retire? How to Overcome Your Fear and Enjoy RetirementEven with a well-funded nest egg, giving up a paycheck is hard. Here's how to start the journey.
By Sandra Block
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9 Year-End Money Moves to Make NowBoost your retirement savings, lower your taxes and get the most out of your health insurance.
By Sandra Block
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How Lower Interest Rates Affect Your Finances: Credit Cards, Car Loans and MortgagesThe Fed's rate cuts will provide relief for some borrowers, but savers will have to work harder to get decent returns.
By Sandra Block
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New Rules for Retirement Savings Taking Effect in 2025Many employees will be able to contribute more money to tax-advantaged workplace plans.
By Sandra Block
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How to Step Confidently Into Your Life After RetirementRetiring 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
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New Rules are Shaking Up the Real Estate Market. Here's What You Need to KnowBuyers and sellers have more room to negotiate commissions, and that could reduce home prices over the long run.
By Sandra Block
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Why You Should Expect a Lower Social Security COLA for 2025Avoid the COLA social security dip in 2025 with a Health Savings Account
By Sandra Block
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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
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How to Use 'Giving While Living' In Estate PlanningIf 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
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How to Avoid the 'Widow's Penalty' After the Loss of a SpouseAfter 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
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Annuities: 10 Things to Knowannuities As interest rates increase, so does the appeal of annuities. How much do you know about these insurance products?
By Sandra Block
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This Act Has Been Protecting Your Retirement Plans For 50 YearsERISA, which turns 50 this year, safeguards pensions and 401(k) plans. But it has limitations.
By Sandra Block
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Who Do High Interest Rates Hurt? College StudentsHigh interest rates mean college students will pay more to borrow. Savers will continue to benefit but need to remain vigilant.
By Sandra Block
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8 Great Places for Snowbirds to LandThese affordable warm-weather cities for snowbirds offer plenty of housing options, abundant activities for retirees and access to good health care.
By Sandra Block
