Every year, the College Board releases new college cost data and trends in its annual report. Although costs can vary significantly depending on region and college, the College Board publishes average cost figures, which are based on a survey of approximately 4,000 colleges across the country. Over the past decade, average tuition, fee, room, and
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides personalized Social Security Statements to help Americans age 18 and older better understand the benefits that Social Security offers. Your Statement contains a detailed record of your earnings and estimates of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits — information that can help you plan for your financial future. You can
Contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA is a big step on the road to retirement, but contributing to both can significantly boost your retirement assets. A recent study found that, on average, individuals who owned both a 401(k) and an IRA at some point during the six-year period of the study had
It is widely recognized that financial literacy impacts a person’s overall economic success. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who are exposed to economic and financial education at an early age are more likely to exhibit positive financial behaviors when they are older (e.g., maintaining high credit scores, accumulating wealth). As a result, many
After being largely dormant for the last decade, inflation roared back in 2021 due to various factors related to the pandemic and economic recovery. For perspective, it may be helpful to look at inflation over a longer period of time. During the 20-year period ending September 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
As families grow in size and overall wealth, a desire to “give back” often becomes a priority. Cultivating philanthropic values can help foster responsibility and a sense of purpose among both young and old alike, while providing financial benefits. Charitable donations may be eligible for income tax deductions (if you itemize) and can help reduce
Women who worked full-time earned just 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2020. Women also earned less than men in almost all of the 350 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More women work in lower-paid industries than men, and even women in higher-paying fields tend to have fewer years
Many factors go into decisions on buying or selling shares of a particular stock, but the price/earnings (P/E) ratio can be a helpful starting point for evaluating whether a company’s stock is under- or overpriced. The P/E ratio is calculated by dividing a stock’s current price per share by the company’s earnings per share over
As we approach the end of 2021, now might be a good time to take a closer look at a few developments surrounding required minimum distributions (RMDs). What Are RMDs? Once you reach age 72, you are required to take minimum distributions from your traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans. (RMDs are not required
According to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, last taken in 2019, about one-fourth of U.S. families have received an inheritance, trust, or gift. The average inheritance received was $46,200, and the average inheritance expected in the future is $72,200. Wealthier households tend to inherit far greater amounts than those in lower wealth groups,
