Personal finance

Zeljkosantrac | E+ | Getty Images The Social Security Administration has issued a final rule that will prevent food assistance from reducing payments to certain beneficiaries. The change applies to Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which provides monthly checks to adults and children who are disabled, blind or age 65 and older, and have little

Harvard University’s Dunster House in Cambridge, MA Blake Nissen for The Boston Globe via Getty Images March 28 is “Ivy Day,” when the nation’s top schools release long-awaited admissions decisions. A fascination with the eight private colleges that comprise the Ivy League spans decades. It is only now, some say, that students are taking a more

Tara Moore | Stone | Getty Images Katherine Dowling has an analogy that may be useful for investors thinking of buying cryptocurrency like bitcoin and wondering what amount is appropriate. It’s “like cayenne pepper,” said Dowling, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Bitwise Asset Management, a crypto money manager. “A little goes a long

10’000 Hours | Digitalvision | Getty Images There’s still time to lower your 2023 tax bill or boost your refund with a lesser-known retirement savings strategy for married couples. One requirement for individual retirement account contributions is “earned income,” such as wages or salary from a job or self-employment earnings. But there’s an exception for

Laylabird | E+ | Getty Images Breaking up in old age can be costly, especially for women. The rate of “gray divorce” — a term that describes divorce at age 50 and older — doubled from 1990 to 2019, according to a 2022 study published in The Journals of Gerontology. It tripled for adults over

Federal Reserve Bank Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the bank’s William McChesney Martin building on March 20, 2024 in Washington, DC.  Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Slowly but surely, recessionary talk is dying down and confidence in the Federal Reserve is picking up. Last week, the central bank held its benchmark

Maria Korneeva | Moment | Getty Images The Biden administration has set a key deadline for student loan borrowers hoping to get forgiveness. Those with multiple federal student loans who request a consolidation by April 30 — which will leave them with one, larger loan — could benefit from the U.S. Department of Education’s overhaul

Filippobacci | E+ | Getty Images If your home boasts certain trendy outdoor features, you may be able to sell it for more in today’s market. At the top of the list is outdoor TVs, which may help home sale price to 3.1% more than expected, representing a $10,749 boost based on the average home,

The Mega Millions jackpot grew to more than $1.6 billion on Aug. 9, 2023. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images The Mega Millions jackpot soared to an estimated $1.1 billion without a ticket matching all six balls on Friday night. It’s smaller than last year’s record $1.6 billion grand prize, but the victor could still face

Martinprescott | E+ | Getty Images Millions of older adults who are behind on their student loans could soon receive a smaller Social Security benefit. That was the warning from Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a recent letter to the Biden administration. “When borrowers are in collections,

While the benefits of having children are shared between both parents, it is mothers who bear the brunt of the costs, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Despite women’s increasing levels of education and representation in senior leadership positions at work, women are still more likely than men to take time out

A woman votes at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church polling location in North Charleston, South Carolina, on February 3, 2024, during the democratic primary.  Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images Almost half of all voters, or 48%, say canceling student loan debt is an important issue to them in the 2024 presidential and congressional