Kimberly Lankford
Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
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 8, 2022
How to File Tornado Insurance Claims
insurance
How to File Tornado Insurance Claims
The five-state storms caused billions in damages. If you were affected, make sure you document your losses and contact your insurer immediately.
December 14, 2021
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…
November 9, 2021
What’s the Best Medigap Plan?
Medicare
What’s the Best Medigap Plan?
The 10 medigap plans offer different levels of benefits that pay for expenses not covered by original Medicare.
October 1, 2021
10 Things to Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims
Becoming a Homeowner
10 Things to Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims
Know what's covered, what isn't, and how to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.
August 30, 2021
How to Disaster-Proof Your Home
real estate
How to Disaster-Proof Your Home
Natural disasters are going to happen. Take steps to prepare—and see if you can get help with the costs.
July 9, 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
Paying for 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
Long-Term Care 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
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
529 Plans
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