If you’ve been considering overseas retirement spots, the rapid spread of the new coronavirus around the globe might be giving you pause. That may not be a bad thing, say some experts. While it’s tricky to predict where and when any contagion — whether this coronavirus or another pathogen — will emerge, a key consideration
Personal finance
Think twice before celebrating that large refund check from Uncle Sam. The IRS had doled out 45.5 million refunds as of Feb. 28, with the average refund check totaling $3,064. That amount is just $4 less than last year’s average refund. Filers have reasons to celebrate their small windfall. Most have ambitious plans for their
PeopleImages Americans nearing retirement are among the many casualties of the coronavirus, as fears around its global spread and resulting economic damage caused a steep selloff in the stock market last week that potentially upended the retirement outlook for many individuals. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite — which serve as barometers
Adilisha Patrom (R) speaks to a customer in her coronavirus pop-up store in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2020. NICHOLAS KAMM Are you financially prepared if you can’t go to work? As fears about the coronavirus mount, so do concerns about possible quarantines, office closures and school shutdowns. “It’s always situations like this that make
It goes without saying that death and taxes are two of life’s certainties. But what many people don’t know is that their Social Security retirement benefits might be taxed. And that means that they haven’t been using strategies proactively to reduce those levies and extend their income over their retirement years. William Meyer, founder of
Thanagon Karaket / EyeEm | EyeEm | Getty Images You may be overlooking one retirement investment choice. That’s the ability to put away post-tax money through a Roth individual retirement account. Recent research from TD Ameritrade finds that many individuals are confused when it comes to Roth IRAs. And that means many people are leaving
If you’re counting on working past your 65th birthday, be sure to consider how Medicare may factor into your plans — even if you already have health insurance through your job. While workers at companies with fewer than 20 workers generally must sign up for Medicare at age 65, people working for larger companies typically
Sally Anscombe Don’t bet the house on a proposed tax incentive from the White House for investing — at least not yet. As campaigning around the 2020 presidential election heats up, President Donald Trump is weighing a round of tax ideas, including a plan to encourage American households to invest in the stock market. One
As college costs soar, financial aid can make all the difference. Still, many families wrongfully assume they won’t qualify and don’t even bother to apply. Each year, more than 1.7 million private scholarships and fellowships are awarded, worth more than $7.4 billion. Your family’s income doesn’t have to stand in the way. In fact, qualifying
James Gorman, chief executive officer and chairman of Morgan Stanley, speaks during the International Economic Forum Of The Americas (IEFA) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Wednesday June 12, 2019. Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg Financial services firms are moving out of their comfort zone. Some of the most recognizable names on Wall Street,
If you want to improve your financial know-how, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. From short online tutorials to extensive in-person bootcamps, the number of “Money 101” classes has ballooned since the Great Recession. And yet, when it comes to financial literacy, Americans are still falling far short. According to a survey by
Michael Bloomberg, billionaire and former mayor of New York, is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to turn his attention to the country’s $1.7 trillion outstanding student loan balance. “At its best, higher education serves as an engine of economic mobility and a pathway to the middle class,” the 78-year-old wrote in his $700 million proposal released
Millions of households that hustled to get their tax returns to the IRS early could be waiting until March for their refunds. If you’re claiming the additional child tax credit or the earned income tax credit, the IRS cannot issue your refund before mid-February. An anti-fraud law requires the agency to use that additional time
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg — whose wealth is estimated at $60 billion — says his tax return is probably thousands of pages long and he can’t use TurboTax to finish it. Most taxpayers don’t deal with such complications. While preparing taxes can be a headache and may involve a lot of pages, using online
Even though it’s still early to file your taxes, the sooner you crunch the numbers on your return, the better off you could be. The IRS issued more than 111.8 million refunds for the 2018 tax year, with taxpayers receiving an average payment of $2,869. This year could bring an even bigger windfall, for those
Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg gives the thumbs up as he embarks on his bus after speaking to supporters at the Viva Villa restaurant in San Antonio, Texas on January 11, 2020. Mark Felix | AFP | Getty Images Mike Bloomberg released plans to shore up Americans’ retirement on Sunday, promising to increase Social Security
Even though February isn’t known as a big sales month for cars, you’ll likely find some decent deals if you head to the dealership over this three-day holiday weekend. While some advertised specials may be pegged to Presidents Day, many deals last for the month. And with more of last year’s models still hanging around
Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins looks on after being tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at FedExField on Dec. 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Scott Taetsch | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Adrian Peterson is heading to arbitration against Morgan Stanley Wealth Management over an investment dispute, the latest
Goodboy Picture Company A hot tax-advantaged opportunity is making the rounds among financial advisors. Just make sure you don’t overlook the risks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which went into effect in 2018, established so-called qualified opportunity zones — economically disadvantaged areas across the country. Funds specializing in qualified opportunity zones allow people to
Netflix, Apple TV and Prime Video. egadolfo I signed up recently for a clothing subscription service called NUULY. The company lets you wear six items a month for $88. But what the service provides me feels deeper. For that fee, I can arrive to a date in a $860 designer coat, which wouldn’t normally be