Brendan Pedersen
Staff Writer, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Brendan joined Kiplinger in 2018 and writes about technology, security and money. A Chicagoland native, he graduated from DePaul University with degrees in journalism and political science. Before moving to Washington, D.C., Brendan covered local politics for NBC Chicago and daily news for BusinessDen in Colorado.
10 Best College Values You May Have Overlooked, 2019
college
10 Best College Values You May Have Overlooked, 2019
You’ve no doubt heard of the Ivy League schools, and you may know quite a bit about colleges and universities that are in your area.
November 1, 2019
How to Cash In When Firms Merge
investing
How to Cash In When Firms Merge
These funds let Main Street investors profit from Wall Street’s deals.
November 1, 2019
The Best You Can Hope for from the Equifax Settlement
credit & debt
The Best You Can Hope for from the Equifax Settlement
The average payout will be far less than $125. But you may be reimbursed for other costs.
August 30, 2019
How Long You Must Wait to Make Penalty-Free Withdrawals After Converting to a Roth IRA
savings
How Long You Must Wait to Make Penalty-Free Withdrawals After Converting to a Roth IRA
The timing of converting money from a traditional IRA to a Roth can affect how long you must wait before you’re allowed to withdraw money without pena…
August 21, 2019
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Drug Price Info Is No Cure for Sticker Shock
insurance
Drug Price Info Is No Cure for Sticker Shock
Efforts to curb spending raise questions about just how competitive health care can be.
August 2, 2019
Flagstaff, Ariz.: A Smart Place to Retire
retirement
Flagstaff, Ariz.: A Smart Place to Retire
Retirees can enjoy biking, skiing and a “brewery trail” in this high-altitude corner of the Grand Canyon State.
July 9, 2019
Evanston, Ill.: A Smart Place to Retire
retirement
Evanston, Ill.: A Smart Place to Retire
The “City of Churches” on Lake Michigan provides retirees outdoor activities and iconic architecture.
July 9, 2019
Swarthmore, Pa.: A Smart Place to Retire
retirement
Swarthmore, Pa.: A Smart Place to Retire
The Pennsylvania small town features an inclusive liberal arts college and an active retiree community.
July 9, 2019
Wipe Out Debt, One Step at a Time
credit & debt
Wipe Out Debt, One Step at a Time
Pay off debt with the highest interest first, stick to a schedule and automate payments.
July 3, 2019
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A 401(k) Plan Personalized for You
investing
A 401(k) Plan Personalized for You
New retirement plan options seek to improve on standard target-date funds.
July 3, 2019
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The Problem With PLUS Loans
college
The Problem With PLUS Loans
New student loan rates are lower, but parent loans are still no bargain.
June 7, 2019
Put Your 5G Upgrade on Pause
spending
Put Your 5G Upgrade on Pause
Don’t get your hopes up too soon. Widespread rollout of the faster wireless service could take years.
May 9, 2019
Medicare for All: Promise and Perils
insurance
Medicare for All: Promise and Perils
Incremental reforms are more likely than a complete overhaul.
May 9, 2019
Identity Theft: Act Now to Protect Yourself
credit & debt
Identity Theft: Act Now to Protect Yourself
Identity thieves are more skilled at their nefarious craft than ever.
April 15, 2019
Personal Finance Lessons From a NFL Pro
savings
Personal Finance Lessons From a NFL Pro
NFL linebacker Brandon Copeland shares his money playbook with friends, family and students.
April 4, 2019
Banks Battle Elder Fraud
savings
Banks Battle Elder Fraud
Scams targeting seniors are still growing, but safeguards are being built.
March 7, 2019
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Betting on March Madness Is Big Business
spending
Betting on March Madness Is Big Business
Gambling on college basketball’s Big Dance is no longer confined to the office pool.
January 31, 2019
How to Avoid Cashing Out Your 401(k)
investing
How to Avoid Cashing Out Your 401(k)
It’s easier to transfer your savings to your new employer’s plan.
January 31, 2019
Find a Financial Planner Who’s a Cool Cucumber
investing
Find a Financial Planner Who’s a Cool Cucumber
Don’t panic, and look for an adviser who will look out for your best interests.
January 31, 2019
Vetting a Broker Is Harder Than It Looks
investing
Vetting a Broker Is Harder Than It Looks
A lot of negative information is expunged from popular search tool BrokerCheck.
January 3, 2019
Young & Scrappy -- And Saving for Retirement
savings
Young & Scrappy -- And Saving for Retirement
No excuses. You don’t need a 401(k) or employer match to save.
November 29, 2018
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Don't Fall for a Phisher's Bait
credit & debt
Don't Fall for a Phisher's Bait
Every type of business is a potential target for scammers using email to steal personal information or do serious damage to computer systems.
November 29, 2018
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Best Services for Online Security
business
Best Services for Online Security
Four ways to help protect your sensitive digital information from hackers without breaking the bank.
November 5, 2018
New Tools to Stop Robocalls
savings
New Tools to Stop Robocalls
Your cell-phone service is taking aim at spammers and spoofers.
October 31, 2018
10 Things You’ll Spend Less on in Retirement
retirement
10 Things You’ll Spend Less on in Retirement
A popular rule of thumb suggests that retirees need 80% of their preretirement income to make ends meet, and some experts encourage saving even more t…
August 9, 2018
10 Things You’ll Spend More on in Retirement
retirement
10 Things You’ll Spend More on in Retirement
August 9, 2018
How to Avoid Fraudulent Online Merchants
spending
How to Avoid Fraudulent Online Merchants
Tips on how to steer clear of fraud and late shipments when you're doing your holiday shopping.
September 22, 2017