Pensions and 403(b) plans represent two distinct ways to save for retirement, each with its own structure and advantages. A pension provides a predictable income stream in retirement, usually funded and managed by an employer. A 403(b), on the other hand, relies on employee contributions and investment growth, giving individuals…
When you think about estate planning, wills, trusts and life insurance usually top the list. But annuities deserve a spot in the conversation, too. Beyond providing reliable income in retirement, annuities can ensure your spouse keeps receiving steady checks, transfer wealth to heirs and help sidestep probate. Still, annuities come…
By your 60s, most of your retirement foundation is already in place. While you may still have a few years to save, building significant new wealth is less likely unless you continue working during retirement. This stage typically shifts focus to taxes, withdrawals, Social Security and budgeting. To help you…
Getty Images / Win McNamee / Staff Key takeaways The Federal Reserve’s September rate cut is likely the beginning of lower yields on CDs and other deposit accounts. Locking in a CD now can secure today’s higher rates, which are still outpacing inflation. Don’t rush to put money into a…
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The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
If a society is going to make intelligent choices in policy, it helps to understand reality, which includes facts and…
New York startup Casap has raised $25 million in new funding to help banks tackle the thorny problem of credit…
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Life throws curveballs. And often those curveballs mean you’re spending your hard-earned savings or you’re borrowing money instead. It can feel like a catch-22: Creating savings should help you avoid costly borrowing, but spending it equals losing it and going back to square one. So…
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Key takeaways A divorce decree outlines which spouse is legally responsible for each debt after the divorce is completed. States either have community…
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When it comes to selling coconut water to the health obsessed, New York’s Vita Coco has served up a master class, schooling even…
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Key takeaways Agreeing to automatic payments can help you stay on top of your loan and potentially get a discount. Consider consolidating multiple streams of debt into one to lower costs, pay the debts off faster or both. Look into refinancing to get a better interest rate or if you…
Single moms have many titles: career woman, grocery shopper, personal chef, cleaner-upper, chauffer, chief financial officer. If you’re a single mom (or dad), we see you. We know how hard you work and how many plates you have to keep spinning every single day—including your finances. That said, we’re sharing…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Unsecured loans are debt products that do not require collateral but may come with higher interest rates and stricter credit requirements. There are various unsecured loans, including personal loans, student loans, and credit cards. When determining eligibility for an unsecured loan, lenders…
Introduction It’s the fourth year of The State of Personal Finance—giving insights into how Americans feel about and are dealing with the important money topics of the day—and the new year is starting off as a mixed bag. There’s optimism for the future, but the present holds many Americans in…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Installment loans may not be ideal for ongoing or unpredictable expenses. Alternatives like credit cards, personal lines of credit (PLOCs) and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) offer more flexibility. Consider the interest costs and eligibility criteria for revolving forms of…
From supermarket runs and restaurant meals to takeout orders and Girl Scout Cookies, the cost of food continues to go up. In fact, from December 2023 to December 2024, food prices increased 2.5%.1 It’s enough to make you throw a mini tantrum in aisle 7—right next to the 5-year-old begging…
Key takeaways Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, meaning you’ll end up paying more over time with the monthly payment option. Discounts are available for students and those with qualifying government assistance. With Amazon Prime, you can enjoy various discounts and benefits related to streaming, gaming,…
Key takeaways While debt relief solutions may be helpful when organizing and paying down debt, they can easily result in long-term damage to your finances or credit. Common forms include debt settlement, debt management, debt consolidation and bankruptcy. To decide which debt relief option is best, evaluate how each will…
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a house and wondering about the housing market, you’re not the only one. The real estate market has seen a lot of unusual trends in the past couple of years, so it makes sense that you’d want the latest market update before you…
Despite cheers from industry groups, it could take time for the effects of the new tax law to reach the housing market. “The [law] is going to have very little immediate impact on the housing market because the changes aren’t going to hit people’s wallets for a year or two,”…
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