Federal minimum wage has been $7.25 for 15 years. How that may change

Federal minimum wage has been .25 for 15 years. How that may change

Activists demonstrate in support of a $15-per-hour minimum wage and tips for restaurant workers in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 8, 2022. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images The federal minimum wage recently marked a new anniversary. But for affected workers, that may not be something to celebrate. The federal minimum wage has now been … Read more

Record breaking summer heat waves prompt higher home cooling costs

Record breaking summer heat waves prompt higher home cooling costs

Visitors walk during a long-duration heat wave impacting much of California on July 9 in Death Valley National Park, California.  Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty Images Amid surging summer heat, the earth reached a new hottest day on record on July 22. That day, the global average temperature was almost 63 degrees … Read more

Older voters have new choice after Biden drops reelection bid

Older voters have new choice after Biden drops reelection bid

U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris walk to the East room to welcome the 2023 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces during a celebration at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2024.  Craig Hudson | Reuters Last Wednesday, a group of “Boomers for Biden-Harris” threw a virtual party that was … Read more

Gen X reaches retirement withdrawal age; experts say don’t use the money

Gen X reaches retirement withdrawal age; experts say don’t use the money

Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images Gen Xers are starting to reach age milestones that give them penalty-free access to certain retirement funds. The eldest members of that generation will be turning 59 this year. And once they reach a certain milestone — age 59½ — they can withdraw money from their individual retirement … Read more

What 2024 VP picks could mean for Social Security

What 2024 VP picks could mean for Social Security

Trump’s pick for Vice President, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Joe Raedle | Getty Images The clock is ticking to fix Social Security’s funds. The next White House administration may have a powerful role … Read more

Guaranteed income support rose during the pandemic; backlash followed

Guaranteed income support rose during the pandemic; backlash followed

Urbazon | E+ | Getty Images About 1,900 residents in Texas’ Harris County were set to start receiving $500 monthly payments starting this spring. The money — provided through a new 18-month guaranteed income pilot, Uplift Harris, a Harris County Public Health initiative — was aimed at county residents of 10 ZIP codes who are … Read more

Biden, Trump spar over Social Security, Medicare in presidential debate

Biden, Trump spar over Social Security, Medicare in presidential debate

Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic Party presidential candidate U.S. President Joe Biden speak during a presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., June 27, 2024 in a combination photo. Brian Snyder | Reuters The future of Social Security and Medicare may be greatly impacted by whoever occupies the White House following … 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

The hourly wage a single person needs in the largest U.S. cities

The hourly wage a single person needs in the largest U.S. cities

You’ll need to earn around $25 per hour to live on your own in the United States’ 25 largest cities. That’s a median figure: You’ll need more in cities like San Francisco or Boston, and less in San Antonio or Detroit. The money covers a single person’s basic expenses like housing in a studio apartment, … Read more

Older voters want candidates who will protect Social Security

Older voters want candidates who will protect Social Security

Joe Biden and Donald Trump Getty Images Voters, ages 50 and older, will have a strong influence on the November election. And politicians who want to win their vote would be wise to emphasize personal economic issues that affect them, particularly Social Security, according to a new AARP poll of likely voters from the 44 … Read more