News
The COLA Theft: Why Half of Your Social Security Raise Just Vanished into Medicare This Morning
2+ hour, 14+ min ago (257+ words) This is a financial reality served with a twist, and it's time we unpack why half of your new money just disappeared into the healthcare black hole you didn't ask for. Some retirees even explore income-driven strategies, like adjusting tax…...
Why 2026 is the Year of the “Reverse COLA”: How Your Buying Power Just Dropped 1.1%
6+ hour, 54+ min ago (525+ words) The core of the "Reverse COLA" problem lies in the index the government uses to calculate your raise: the CPI-W. This index tracks the spending habits of "Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers," a group that spends heavily on gas,…...
New maximum social security checks could give some Americans up to $5,251 a month. Here’s who qualifies
11+ hour, 1+ min ago (351+ words) Some of the millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits may see surprisingly larger paychecks this year. Given the latest cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in 2025, some beneficiaries will see the maximum monthly check increase to $5,251 " a…...
5 Things Retirees Spend 80% of Their Income on, According to Kevin Lum
11+ hour, 49+ min ago (596+ words) Certified financial planner Kevin Lum is known for giving real-world advice to retirees or hopeful retirees. Here are the five things retirees spend 80% of their income on, according to Lum. Lum explained that retirees spend an average of $240 a month…...
Some Credit Unions Are Ending Legacy Senior Account Perks
22+ hour, 29+ min ago (596+ words) In 2026, credit unions are moving away from age as a primary qualifier for benefits. Instead, they are adopting "enterprise-level relationship loyalty" strategies. As noted by CUInsight, institutions are shifting from product-based rewards to models that recognize the full banking relationship....
5 Common January Money Mistakes That Quietly Set People Back All Year
1+ day, 9+ hour ago (512+ words) January has that fresh start energy " we're motivated, optimistic and fully convinced this is the year we get our finances together.But between goal-setting, post-holiday reality checks and a few well-intentioned decisions, it's surprisingly easy to slip into money habits…...
The January 14th ‘Net-Zero’ Deposit: Why Your First 2026 Social Security Check May Arrive With a $0.00 Raise
1+ day, 21+ hour ago (162+ words) Married couples receiving Social Security often see their combined income push them into higher tax or Medicare premium brackets. A modest COLA increase can trigger higher IRMAA surcharges (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts) on Medicare premiums. This means both spouses could…...
5 Cities That Are Paying Remote Workers to Move There in 2026
2+ day, 1+ hour ago (711+ words) You are working harder than ever, yet your paycheck seems to shrink the moment it hits your account. Rent is climbing, groceries are expensive, and the idea of buying a home feels like a distant fantasy. But here is the…...
5 Reasons to Track Your Benefit Payment Dates Closely in 2026
2+ day, 9+ hour ago (71+ words) Do you prefer bills due right after deposits or spread throughout the month, and why? Are Social Security Benefits Losing Buying Power Faster Than Inflation? 7 Reasons Seniors Need to Review Their Medicare Plan Now 5 Social Security Earnings Limit Triggers That…...
I'm a Financial Adviser: Here's How to Earn a Fistful of Interest on Your Cash in 2026 (Just Watch Out for the Taxes)
2+ day, 15+ hour ago (1141+ words) Most Americans are keeping their cash in the wrong place " and they are paying for it in lost interest. With more than $18 trillion in bank deposits right now and an average savings account rate of 0.4%, Americans are missing out on…...