It’s no surprise that consumers are contacted by debt collectors about medical bills more than any other type of debt.1 After all, the complex world of medical billing and collection practices is extremely difficult to navigate. Many people have trouble understanding what the various billing codes on a medical bill even mean. Historically, this has
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022, included numerous provisions affecting retirement savings plans, including some that impact required minimum distributions (RMDs). Here is a summary of several important changes, as well as a quick primer on how to calculate RMDs. What Are RMDs? Retirement savings accounts are a great way to grow your
In 2003, the U.S. was emerging from the dot-com recession, unemployment rates were peaking during a jobless recovery, and online shopping was becoming more popular. Twenty years have passed, and here’s how some things have changed — one pandemic and two recessions later. F-150: The Ford F-Series, including the F-150® pickup truck, topped the list
Consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), so it plays an outsized role in driving economic growth or slowing it down.1 For the last 18 months, U.S. consumers have kept the economy strong despite high inflation and rising interest rates. The question now is whether consumers can maintain this momentum
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2024, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a
If you are covered by Medicare, it’s time to compare your current coverage with other available options. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. Medicare plans can change every year, and you may want to switch to a health or prescription drug plan that better suits your needs or
As September comes to a close, the U.S. government seems headed for a shutdown, which would begin on October 1. Although it is possible that a last-minute agreement could keep the lights on, that becomes less likely with each passing day. Here’s a look at the federal funding process, the current situation in Congress, and
Economists have been predicting a recession for the U.S. economy ever since the Federal Reserve began aggressively raising interest rates in 2022. This is Econ 101. High interest rates, which make it more expensive to borrow, are intended to tame inflation by slowing business and consumer spending. A rapid and extreme increase in rates, as
If you’ve recently received an inheritance, you may be facing many important decisions. Receiving an inheritance might promote spending without planning, but don’t make any hasty decisions. Here are some suggestions that could help you manage your inheritance. Identify a Team of Trusted Professionals Tax laws can be complicated, so you might want to consult
38% – Percentage of workers who said they did not know where to go for good financial or retirement planning advice. More retirees had help, with only 19% saying they did not know where to go for advice. Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2023 In 2023, only 64% of workers were at least somewhat confident
