Most households can weather moderate expense shocks, research finds

Most households can weather moderate expense shocks, research finds

JGI/Jamie Grill | Blend Images | Getty Images How people would handle a surprise $400 expense The Federal Reserve has found 13% of all adults would have been unable to pay for an unexpected $400 expense in 2023. Yet, JPMorgan Chase Institute finds the share of individuals who are unable to cover such an expense … Read more

From transferring stocks to gifting mutual funds, 5 ways to secure your sister’s future this Raksha Bandhan

From transferring stocks to gifting mutual funds, 5 ways to secure your sister’s future this Raksha Bandhan

Financial instruments could be the best gift you can give to your sister this Raksha Bandhan. With plenty of options available now along with the ease with which they can be bought or managed, securing your beloved sister’s future is just a matter of a few clicks. From stocks, mutual funds to safer options like … Read more

This overlooked risk can ‘make or break’ your portfolio, advisor says

This overlooked risk can ‘make or break’ your portfolio, advisor says

How sequence risk hurts your portfolio Investors can typically start withdrawing funds from retirement accounts without penalty at age 59½. But there’s a big risk for younger retirees or near-retirees who experience stock market downturns just before or as they start tapping accounts. Withdrawing from your portfolio when the stock market drops could mean selling … Read more

How much cash you need to set aside to prepare for a recession

How much cash you need to set aside to prepare for a recession

Pascal Broze | Onoky | Getty Images As investors face economic uncertainty, financial advisors have guidelines for how much cash they should have set aside. Despite second-quarter economic growth, nearly 60% of Americans wrongly think the U.S. is currently in a recession, according to a June survey of 2,000 adults from Affirm. While Goldman Sachs … Read more

Kamala Harris’ tax records reveal ‘fairly basic’ approach, experts say

Kamala Harris’ tax records reveal ‘fairly basic’ approach, experts say

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff descend from Air Force Two in Wilmington, DE, U.S., July 22, 2024.  Erin Schaff | Via Reuters Vice President Kamala Harris’ personal financial records are under fresh scrutiny now that she is running for the highest office in the United States. Experts say recent tax … Read more

Here’s how the election could impact the muni bond market

Here’s how the election could impact the muni bond market

The first presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is projected on a screen projector during a watch party hosted by the Michigan Conservative Coalition in Novi, Michigan, U.S., June 27, 2024.  Emily Elconin | Reuters With interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve likely … Read more

This ‘bucket strategy’ could lower your taxes in retirement

This ‘bucket strategy’ could lower your taxes in retirement

Johner Images | Johner Images Royalty-free | Getty Images Many retirees don’t think about taxes until it’s time to withdraw funds from a pretax account, which can be a costly mistake, financial experts say. Only 3 in 10 Americans have a plan to reduce taxes on retirement savings, according to a Northwestern Mutual study from January … Read more

Here’s how to be a retirement ‘super saver’

Here’s how to be a retirement ‘super saver’

Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images A retirement savings crisis is looming for people who have 401(k) plans and other retirement balances woefully short of what they will need to live on. But some workers — called “super savers” — are managing to successfully grow their retirement nest eggs. Super savers are workers who are … Read more

Great wealth transfer or retirement savings crisis? It can be both

Great wealth transfer or retirement savings crisis? It can be both

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty Images It can feel like the U.S. economy has divided consumers into groups of haves and have nots — and retirees are no exception. Research has found a great wealth transfer is underway, with research and consulting firm Cerulli Associates estimating an $84 trillion to shift from older to younger … Read more

Why people don’t wait to claim Social Security and what experts say

Why people don’t wait to claim Social Security and what experts say

Alessandro Biascioli | Istock | Getty Images When it comes to claiming Social Security retirement benefits, experts agree it’s generally best to delay. Yet many people still claim early — either at the earliest possible age of 62 or before their full retirement age. Those early claims result in reduced Social Security benefits for life. … Read more