New digital checkout tools aim to turn quick, smartphone‑size donations into a fresh weapon against runaway public borrowing. The Treasury Department is inviting everyday Americans to do something once reserved for policy wonks: pitch in directly to lower the national debt. Under a quiet update to its “Gift Contributions to Reduce the Public Debt” page, … Read more
Millions of U.S. workers may soon need to adjust their retirement game‑plan. Lawmakers are weighing a proposal to raise the full retirement age (FRA) from 67 to 69 beginning in 2026, arguing it will shore up Social Security’s finances. The change would roll out gradually through 2033, extending trust‑fund solvency past the projected depletion date … Read more
Millions of Americans who rely on popular payment apps may soon feel the pinch as JPMorgan Chase starts charging fintechs for banking‑data access. JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s largest bank, is ending years of free access that allowed companies like PayPal, Venmo, and Coinbase to retrieve checking‑account information for peer‑to‑peer transfers and budgeting tools. Bloomberg reports … Read more
The repeal of WEP/GPO and a higher clawback cap roll out this year, reshaping payments for millions of retirees and disabled workers. If you rely on Social Security, two fresh policy shifts could bump your deposit up—or slice it in half—before the summer ends. One expands payments for 3.1 million public servants; the other lets the … Read more
Over 1 million recipients face automatic offsets for unpaid federal debts; here’s the playbook to keep as much of your benefit as possible. Starting July 24, 2025, Uncle Sam will begin skimming benefits from Americans who owe federal debts. Retirees, disabled workers, and survivors who rely on Social Security could see smaller deposits unless they act fast. The stakes … Read more
If you’re 65, living in your late mother’s house, and planning to retire at 70 with little savings, there are still ways forward. Planning for retirement may feel daunting, especially when your savings are low, but don’t lose hope. If you’re 65 years old, making $40,000 per year, and expecting $1,890 monthly from Social Security … Read more
Social Security’s next Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payday is set for Friday, August 1, 2025—just three weeks away for millions of low‑income seniors and people with disabilities. Social Security will deposit the month’s only SSI check on August 1. Eligible single recipients can receive as much as $967, while married couples who both qualify may collect up to $1,450. … Read more
Millions of current and former Prudential Financial customers can soon claim cash after hackers exposed their personal data early last year. The newly published settlement spells out who qualifies, how much is on the table, and the paperwork required. Prudential will fund a $4.75‑million pool that returns up to $5,000 per person for documented expenses, … Read more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that beginning in July 2025, beneficiaries who were paid more than they were owed between 2015 and 2022 will see half of each monthly check withheld until the debt is cleared. The move targets roughly $72 billion in improper payments. Roughly two million retirees, disability recipients, and survivors may be affected, according to the … Read more
Millions who owe the Social Security Administration (SSA) can now clear their balance for a fraction of the original amount, thanks to the IRS “offer in compromise” program. The SSA has confirmed that struggling beneficiaries may settle old debts for as little as 80 percent of what they owe—and sometimes even less—if they prove full repayment … Read more
Bigger checks, strict dates, and what every retiree should know before Wednesday arrives. If your birthday falls between July 1 and July 10, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is lining up your July payment for Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Thanks to this year’s 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA), the deposit will look a little healthier—yet there are caps and deadlines … Read more
Thousands of former and current employees—and even some loyal customers—could soon receive cash and credit‑monitoring services after the food‑distribution giant settled a class action tied to last year’s cyberattack. Sysco’s 2023 breach exposed personal data and sent recipients scrambling to guard against fraud. Now, under a settlement filed in federal court, the company has set … Read more
The full retirement age edges higher again, reshaping timelines, benefit amounts, and the way millions of Americans map out their golden years. For workers born in 1959, the finish line just moved—full retirement age (FRA) climbs to 66 years and 10 months on Jan. 1, 2025. Anyone born in 1960 or later still faces the 67‑year mark, yet even that number … Read more
New York will soon send “inflation refund” checks—worth $150 to $400—to taxpayers who filed a 2023 state return, giving households a timely boost without any extra paperwork. The payments, funded through the 2025‑2026 budget and overseen by the Department of Taxation and Finance, will arrive by mail starting this autumn. Officials estimate over eight million families, especially in … Read more
In brief, a worker earning the 2022 median household income of $74,580 would see about $1,869 a month by filing at age 62, yet that figure can climb above $3,000 by waiting until 70. Social Security remains the financial anchor for millions of middle‑income households. But relying on it alone could strain a budget, especially when one in five … Read more
With markets on edge and wars simmering, three of Europe’s largest economies are asking the Federal Reserve for something simple yet symbolic—give us our bullion, now. Washington has stored thousands of metric tons of European gold since the Cold War. Today, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam say the geopolitical weather has changed and so must the metal’s … Read more
When Jamie discovered his 72‑year‑old mom owed six figures, he feared the worst — but experts say there’s still a roadmap to relief. Jamie’s mother, a retired receptionist, recently admitted she carries $150,000 on a handful of high‑interest cards. With no savings and a monthly Social Security check of roughly $1,950, she’s falling further behind … Read more
The squeeze is real: A 79‑year‑old couple living on a combined $2,000 Social Security check and $50,000 in savings faces average annual household costs topping $53,000, according to 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Can they avoid draining their nest egg? Below are practical moves—many you could try today. Why let equity sit idle? Selling … Read more
Congress weighs wider relief for retirees even as a handful of states keep levies in place. Millions of Social Security recipients may soon pay less to the IRS, yet state tax bills could still bite. Lawmakers are debating the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cleared the House by a single vote and now faces the Senate’s gavel. Its … Read more
Millions of future retirees will find that hitting the magic birthday for 100 percent benefits is shifting again, and the clock is already ticking. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed a new full‑retirement benchmark that starts on January 1, 2026. Anyone born in 1960 or later must now wait a little longer to claim their benefit in full—bad news … Read more