Washington leaders agree Social Security needs to be fixed — but proposed tax increases are a key sticking point

zimmytws | iStock | Getty Images Congressional leaders can agree on one thing — Social Security needs to be fixed before the program’s funds are unable to pay full benefits in 2035. But that is where the consensus ends. Leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties have each recently discussed the issue on Capitol…

These 5 metros have the most million-dollar homes: If you’re selling, here’s what to know about the tax consequences

Historic row houses in Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington. amedved | iStock | Getty Images Million-dollar homes aren’t common in the U.S., but you’re more likely to find these properties along the coasts. That’s according to a LendingTree study that ranked the country’s 50 biggest metropolitan areas by the share of owner-occupied properties worth $1…

Teen workers in a hot summer job market can use the ‘greatest money-making asset’ to their advantage, says CPA

For years, fewer teenagers were looking for summer jobs, opting instead to bolster their college applications with academic programs or unpaid internships. But as the economy bounced back from the pandemic, employers were almost begging for workers and some opportunities were too good to pass up. With more flexible work arrangements and better pay, the…

Student loan borrowers may regret not taking these 3 steps before payments restart

Carol Yepes | Moment | Getty Images It’s right there on the U.S. Department of Education’s website: Student loan payments to restart after Aug. 31, 2022. Skeptical? It’s understandable. The Education Department has repeatedly set an end date for the payment pause on federal student loans, which began in March 2020, and then revised it…

Just 1% of people got a perfect score on this Social Security quiz, while 65% got a ‘D’ or ‘F’ — see how you do

Emmanuel Faure | Getty Images Understanding the ins and outs of Social Security’s many rules around claims will help you make the best decisions when accessing retirement benefits. But a recent MassMutual poll given to people near or already in retirement shows that many have some brushing up to do on the program’s rules. The…

Some experts say a recession is coming. Here’s how to prepare your portfolio

Phonlamaiphoto | Istock | Getty Images Months of stock market volatility, surging inflation and rising interest rates have left many investors wondering if a recession is coming.  The stock market tumbled again on Thursday, with the S&P 500 capping its worst six-month start to a year since 1970. In all, it’s down more than 20%…

The S&P 500 just had its worst first half in more than 50 years, which ‘stressed’ this classic investment strategy

Stock trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Spencer Platt | Getty Images News | Getty Images The S&P 500 Index, a barometer of U.S. stocks, just had its worst first half of the year going back over 50 years. The index fell 20.6% in the past six months, from its high-water…

Settled medical debt is now dropping off credit reports — here’s how to check your record and make sure it’s right

miodrag ignjatovic | E+ | Getty Images If medical debt you’ve already paid has been lingering on your credit report, you may want to see if that has changed. As of Friday, the first phase of changes to when such debt will show up on credit reports takes effect. Specifically, the three large credit reporting…

Social Security Administration addressing ‘deficiencies’ in handling mail during pandemic, says government watchdog report

Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images Customer service wait times from Social Security may be improving, at least for mail correspondence. A new report from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General details the results of an investigation into deficiencies in the agency’s handling of U.S. mail during the Covid-19 pandemic. In…

Most workers want their employer to share their values — 56% won’t even consider a workplace that doesn’t, survey finds

Luis Alvarez | Digitalvision | Getty Images For employees today, job satisfaction is about much more than just pay and benefits. New hires are increasingly looking for companies that affirm their values. Tyrese Thomas, who graduated from college in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, East Asian studies and business management, was careful in…

Students are taking on ‘unsustainable debt’ for college, says former FDIC chair: How to know what you can afford

Sdi Productions | E+ | Getty Images The student loan crisis has made it clear that many borrowers have gotten in over their heads, said Sheila Bair, who has served as both a bank regulator and college president. She blames the lack of transparency and confusion around this category of loan. About 44 million Americans…

Winning ticket for Powerball’s $366.7 million jackpot sold in Vermont. Here’s the tax bite for the winner

Justin Sullivan / Getty If you’re holding the winning ticket for Powerball’s $366.7 million jackpot, don’t forget about your silent partner: Uncle Sam. After rolling higher for about two months of three weekly drawings with no winner, the lottery game’s top prize was nabbed in Wednesday night’s drawing. The ticket was purchased in Vermont, which…