Kimberly Lankford
Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of (McGraw-Hill, 2003), (Kaplan, 2006), (Kaplan, 2007) and She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
savings
10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
Service members face a range of threats – from the lethal to the financial. A wide array of generous benefits and programs are meant to offset some of…
May 19, 2021
How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
taxes
How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
Keep your tax documents at least until the time limit for an audit runs out—and even longer for some records.
May 18, 2021
How to Estimate Your Social Security Benefits
social security
How to Estimate Your Social Security Benefits
There are a few tools you can use to calculate your Social Security benefits, including signing up for a my Social Security account.
April 23, 2021
How to Report an IRA Charitable Distribution on Your Tax Return
income tax
How to Report an IRA Charitable Distribution on Your Tax Return
Your IRA administrator will send you a 1099-R, noting your entire distribution; you need to report it to Uncle Sam — and call out what portion was use…
March 23, 2021
Withholding Taxes From Social Security
social security
Withholding Taxes From Social Security
Older taxpayers can avoid a big bill at tax time or a penalty for underpaying taxes by having the government withhold taxes from their Social Security…
March 23, 2021
Calculating Taxes on Social Security Benefits
social security
Calculating Taxes on Social Security Benefits
Uncle Sam can tax up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you have other sources of income, such as earnings from work or withdrawals from tax-d…
March 23, 2021
How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
taxes
How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?
Save your tax documents at least until the time limit for an audit runs out—and hold on to some records even longer.
July 16, 2020
How to Fund a Memorial Scholarship to Honor a Veteran
Paying for College
How to Fund a Memorial Scholarship to Honor a Veteran
With the help of a college or community foundation, you can establish a scholarship in the name of a loved one to help students in perpetuity.
May 24, 2020
How to Endow a Scholarship to Honor a Veteran
college
How to Endow a Scholarship to Honor a Veteran
You may be able to set up a scholarship fund through a college or community foundation, or support educational programs through a charity that special…
May 24, 2020
10 Smart Steps to Minimize Taxes and Penalties on Your RMDs
taxes
10 Smart Steps to Minimize Taxes and Penalties on Your RMDs
After you turn age 70½, you need to start taking required minimum distributions from your IRAs and 401(k)s every year.
December 17, 2019
Avoid the Obstacles of Long-Term-Care Claims
insurance
Avoid the Obstacles of Long-Term-Care Claims
Filing a claim can be an ordeal, but these preventive measures will streamline the process.
October 31, 2019
Health Savings Account Limits for 2019
savings
Health Savings Account Limits for 2019
Make sure your health insurance meets deductible limits and other requirements if you want to save money in a tax-advantaged HSA in 2019.
October 1, 2019
10 Things to Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims
insurance
10 Things to Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims
Three of the costliest natural disasters in U.S.
September 3, 2019
Social Security Benefits to Increase 2.8% with 2019 COLA Adjustment
social security
Social Security Benefits to Increase 2.8% with 2019 COLA Adjustment
While recipients will get a cost-of-living adjustment, workers will have more of their income subject to the Social Security tax.
July 17, 2019
Surviving Surprise Medical Bills
insurance
Surviving Surprise Medical Bills
Unexpected charges are on the rise as insurers shrink their provider networks.
July 3, 2019
New Law Could Change Rules for IRA Withdrawals
IRAs
New Law Could Change Rules for IRA Withdrawals
Under the proposed legislation, you would have more time to take IRA distributions.
June 5, 2019
Credit Report Error? They All Matter
credit & debt
Credit Report Error? They All Matter
Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
May 9, 2019
Insurance for a Learning Driver
insurance
Insurance for a Learning Driver
Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
May 9, 2019
Getting Out of an RMD Penalty
retirement
Getting Out of an RMD Penalty
When your brokerage firm miscalculates your required minimum distributions, you have recourse.
May 9, 2019
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
college
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
May 9, 2019
11 Reasons You Need Umbrella Insurance Right Now
insurance
11 Reasons You Need Umbrella Insurance Right Now
An umbrella insurance policy can protect your assets and future earnings from expensive lawsuits.
April 18, 2019
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Account
savings
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Account
Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
April 4, 2019
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
April 4, 2019
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe…
April 4, 2019
It’s Not Too Late to Boost Retirement Savings for 2018
retirement
It’s Not Too Late to Boost Retirement Savings for 2018
Some retirement accounts will accept contributions for 2018 up until the April tax deadline.
March 29, 2019
How Your HSA Can Reimburse You for Medicare Premiums Paid
Medicare
How Your HSA Can Reimburse You for Medicare Premiums Paid
Even if your Medicare premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security check, you can take tax-free withdrawals from a health savings acc…
March 27, 2019
11 Strategies for IRA Withdrawals in Retirement
IRAs
11 Strategies for IRA Withdrawals in Retirement
When you invest in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-deferred plan, you make a deal with Uncle Sam: You get years of tax-deferred growth, but you have to st…
March 26, 2019