Here’s the inflation breakdown for February 2024 — in one chart

Here’s the inflation breakdown for February 2024 — in one chart

Shoppers are seen in a Kroger supermarket in Atlanta on Oct. 14, 2022. Elijah Nouvelage | AFP | Getty Images Consumers continued to contend with higher inflation in February, according to new government data. The consumer price index — an inflation measure that tracks changes in the prices of consumer goods and services over time … Read more

Millionaires reach limit for Social Security payroll taxes for 2024

Millionaires reach limit for Social Security payroll taxes for 2024

Ezra Bailey | Getty Images Most Americans can expect to pay Social Security payroll taxes throughout 2024. But for top earners with gross annual wage income of $1 million, March 2 marks the date at which they will stop paying into the program, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. The reason why … Read more

Amid FAFSA issues, it’s a good time to lobby for more financial aid

Amid FAFSA issues, it’s a good time to lobby for more financial aid

PeopleImages | E+ | Getty Images Above all else, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid was designed to improve college access. However, problems with the rollout have left many students and their families frustrated with fewer students applying overall. As of the last tally, nearly 4 million students have submitted the 2024-25 FAFSA form so … Read more

Biden calls shrinkflation a ‘rip off.’ How to spot downsized products

Biden calls shrinkflation a ‘rip off.’ How to spot downsized products

Anna Bizon | Gallo Images Roots Rf Collection | Getty Images President Joe Biden took to social media ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday to take a jab at snack companies that are giving consumers less food for their money. The phenomenon called shrinkflation — where consumer products become smaller in quantity, size or … Read more

Laid off? Here’s how to find new work faster

Laid off? Here’s how to find new work faster

Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images New government data shows a surprisingly strong job market for the month of January. But there are signs of weakness in the labor market, based on tens of thousands of workers who have been laid off since 2024 started. U.S. employers announced 82,307 job cuts in January, up from … Read more

How the generations stack up financially

How the generations stack up financially

By many measures, Generation Z is doing well. Compared with their parents at this age, young adults are more likely to have a college degree and work full time — particularly women, who are not only achieving increasing levels of education but also earning more.    However, Gen Z adults are also less likely to own a … Read more

Here’s what happens to your Social Security benefits when you die

Here’s what happens to your Social Security benefits when you die

Tanya Constantine | Getty Images Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided your survivors meet certain requirements. For example, … Read more

How high earners can maximize their 401(k) contributions in 2024

How high earners can maximize their 401(k) contributions in 2024

Klaus Vedfelt | Getty Images To live your best life in retirement, it helps to make the most contributions while you’re working. Employees who participate in 401(k) plans can put up to $23,000 in pretax or post-tax Roth contributions in 2024. But there’s another limit, $69,000, including employee and employer contributions, that may let workers … Read more

This strategy can help you meet your financial New Year’s resolutions

This strategy can help you meet your financial New Year’s resolutions

Young woman counting money. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc As the calendar turns to a new year, many Americans are vowing to change their money habits. To that point, 48% of investors recently surveyed by Allianz Life Insurance Company say they are more likely to make and keep a financial resolution in 2024 to either save … Read more

What to know about the Dec. 31 deadline

What to know about the Dec. 31 deadline

Tom Werner | Digitalvision | Getty Images As the calendar turns to a new year, you may be at risk for losing money if you have a flexible spending account. Many FSA owners have a Dec. 31 use-it-or-lose-it deadline to use the funds they have set aside for the year. The average forfeit of funds … Read more