As the season of fall foliage and pumpkin spice lattes fast approaches, so does the job market potentially turning over a new leaf. The concept of a “September surge,” where more job postings become available after Labor Day, is often associated with the end of the summer slowdown as job recruiters and hiring managers return
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The concept of putting workers’ 401(k) plan savings on autopilot has gained significant traction in recent years. Employers have increasingly adopted policies like automatic enrollment and automatic escalation to encourage employees to save more for retirement. However, new research suggests that the actual impact of these automated savings features may not be as significant as
The high costs of prescription drugs have long been a concern for retirees relying on Medicare drug coverage. However, relief is on the horizon as new changes are set to take effect starting in 2025. These changes will significantly impact the out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare Part D enrollees, providing much-needed financial relief for millions of
Many investors are well-versed in the concept of asset allocation, which involves selecting the right mix of stocks and bonds to balance risk and return. However, equally important is where those assets are held, known as asset location. This strategy is particularly crucial for wealthier investors as it aims to minimize taxes, ultimately boosting after-tax
The U.S. Department of Education recently unveiled plans for the rollout of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The department announced that the FAFSA would be made available to specific groups of students in a series of beta tests beginning on Oct. 1, with full access for all students and contributors expected
In a year of robust stock market performance, investors have an opportunity to strategically rebalance their portfolios and potentially save on future taxes through a lesser-known strategy called tax-gain harvesting. This tactic involves strategically selling profitable assets in a brokerage account during lower-income years, such as early retirement or periods of unemployment. With the S&P
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently shared his personal story at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the importance of Social Security survivor benefits in helping his family navigate through difficult times. After his father passed away when he was just 19, leaving a significant amount of medical debt behind, Walz emphasized how these benefits provided his
The cost of attending college has soared in recent years, with some institutions now nearing the six-figure mark for yearly expenses. According to data from The Princeton Review, certain colleges have a sticker price of over $90,000 for the 2024-25 academic year, and this amount is expected to continue rising. Tuition adjustments averaging around 4%
In recent years, the federal government has been increasing its efforts to enforce tax compliance by threatening to revoke the passports of individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts. This change has not gone unnoticed by experts in the field, who have seen a surge in such enforcement actions. The threshold for a seriously delinquent tax
When it comes to planning for retirement, maximizing your 401(k) contributions is often seen as a wise financial move. However, financial advisors suggest that this may not be the best option for everyone. While it is true that employees can defer up to $23,000 into their 401(k) plans for 2024, with an additional $7,500 for