Enrolling in Medicare? Here are three key things you need to know — not understanding one can lead to a lifelong penalty

andresr | E+ | Getty Images Medicare may seem like a maze when you first try to navigate it. After all, there are different “parts” to the federal health insurance program, which provides coverage for about 56.5 million individuals in the 65-and-older crowd. And, whether you’re reaching the eligibility age of 65 or you are…

Education Department offers a second chance to 7.5 million borrowers who defaulted on student loans — here’s who is eligible

Drazen Zigic | Istock | Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education is giving federal student loan borrowers who’ve fallen behind on their debt a chance to get into current standing. As part of its “Fresh Start” initiative, the 7.5 million student loan borrowers who are in default will be able to return to repayment…

Despite recession fears and fueled by ‘revenge spending,’ Americans spend $314 a month on impulse purchases

Impulse buys can quickly erode even the best financial plans. And yet, between sponsored posts on social media and “revenge spending,” they are nearly impossible to avoid. As the cost of living surges and more Americans say they are stretched too thin amid concerns about a possible recession, they’re dipping into their cash reserves and nearly half are falling…

Gen Z investors are flocking to IRAs. Here’s why a Roth is ‘a slam dunk’ for most, expert says

kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images The youngest workers entering the workforce — Gen Z, who range in age from 10 to 25 — showed dramatic adoption of individual retirement accounts, according to second quarter data released by Fidelity Investments this week. Fidelity IRAs owned by that generation increased 87% over the second quarter of…

Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $822,000 in refund checks to 14,500 student loan borrowers ripped off in debt scam

In this article FTCI Srdjanpav | E+ | Getty Images The Federal Trade Commission announced this week that it would send thousands of checks totaling more than $822,000 to student loan borrowers who lost money in a debt-relief scam. More than 14,500 consumers who paid money to a company that operated under the name Student…

Gen Xers are cutting discretionary spending amid high inflation, while continuing to save for retirement, study shows

Getty Images As Generation X edges closer to retirement, inflation appears to be weighing more heavily on that age group than other adults. Compared with millennials (ages 26 to 41) and baby boomers (ages 58 to 76), a larger share of Gen Xers (ages 42 to 57) are concerned about the nation’s economic outlook, maintaining…

Worried you’re mismanaging your money? Give yourself a financial checkup in 7 simple steps

As kids and teens gear up for “back to school,” now’s the time for adults to go “back to basics” when it comes to their finances. Give yourself a financial checkup. Look at the current state of your finances and figure out what you need to do to get — or stay — on track…

Workers have more than $500 million socked away in state-run retirement plans — and Delaware is the latest to add one

Getty Images Another state has joined the growing list of those aiming to boost retirement savings among workers at companies that don’t offer a 401(k) or similar workplace plan. Delaware Gov. John Carney signed a bill into law on Thursday that will create a state-run program to automatically enroll eligible private sector workers in Roth…

Yellen: These are the 4 top priorities for the nearly $80 billion in IRS funding

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaking at a news conference on July 14. Made Nagi | Reuters With President Joe Biden‘s sweeping tax, health and climate package newly signed into law, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is asking the IRS to deliver a plan within six months for the agency’s nearly $80 billion in funding. “The Inflation…

Here are the top 10 colleges for financial aid. Ruling out pricey schools is a ‘tragically flawed’ strategy, says Princeton Review editor

Cost is now the No. 1 factor when it comes to choosing a college. As a new application season gets underway, families are increasingly concerned about the rising price of tuition and whether a four-year degree is worth it.  For the 2021-2022 academic year, annual tuition and fees plus room and board at in-state public…

‘It’s frustrating and stressful.’ 40 million people are in the dark about whether or not student loan payments will resume

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) joins activists in a demonstration outside an entrance to the White House calling for the cancellation of student debt in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters Planning his budget for next month, Scott Heins doesn’t know if he’ll have the usual cash he needs for his health-care expenses…

Lawmakers call for safety upgrades as people face long lines ‘outside in the heat for hours’ at Social Security offices

People stand in line at a Social Security Office in Pasadena, California. Mario Anzuoni | Reuters People who face long waits for service at the Social Security Administration’s field offices have had to contend with one more complication this summer — intense heat. That prompted leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee to send…