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☆ Social Security isn’t keeping up with inflation. That could weaken Biden’s support among some seniors
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Not long ago, senior citizens got the two biggest annual increases in their monthly Social Security checks that most had ever seen. While inflation has afflicted Americans of every age, senior citizens are often in a more difficult predicament because many live off fixed incomes. Many depend heavily on Social Security – some 42% of elderly women and 37% of elderly men rely on the monthly payments for at least half their income, according to the Social Security Administration. They aren’t wrong: Inflation has eaten away at 36% of Social Security benefits’ buying power since 2000, according to an analysis last year from The Senior Citizens League. The president needs these senior voters since polls also show his support among younger Americans has eroded since 2020.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Shannon Benton, “, ”, Mary Johnson, Johnson, –, Trump, they’ve, Marty Cohen Organizations: CNN, Social Security, Senior Citizens League, Social Security Administration, Biden, James Madison University Locations: Pennsylvania, Arizona , Michigan, Wisconsin

☆ Why so many men in the US have stopped working
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Andy Kiersz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementIt could be all about recessionsSince the 1950s, whenever the US economy fell into a recession, the rate of working men tended to suffer a lasting blow. AdvertisementWhy have recessions appeared to have such a lasting impact on working men? The strong recovery of men working after the pandemic recession could be due to the unique nature of this downturn — which tanked an otherwise healthy economy. And of course, some lucky prime-age men aren't working because they've had a lot of financial success — and already retired. Deciphering how much these explanations have fueled the decline of working men could be worthy of further explanation, the economists said.

Persons: —, It's, Abigail Wozniak, Wozniak, David Autor, There's, Jason Furman, Barack Obama's, Elise Gould, Gould, aren't, we've, John M, Coglianese, they've Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington Post, of Labor Statistics, San Francisco Fed, BLS, Economic, Economic Policy Institute, Federal Reserve

☆ 'Nobody's getting wealthy on Social Security,' lawmaker says. The November election may influence the program's future
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Protect Social Security!" In 1983, when the last major Social Security reforms were enacted, there were no benefit enhancements, Larson argued. Today, annual earnings of up to $168,600 are subject to a 6.2% payroll tax toward Social Security paid by both workers and employers. Larson's plan also calls for closing loopholes that allow wealthy taxpayers to avoid paying Social Security taxes on other income. Larson said the public is well aware that Social Security benefits are theirs and they've paid for them.

Persons: Kean, Dave Kotinsky, Larson, they've, John Larson, Conn, Mark Wilson, Nancy Altman, Drew Ferguson, Ferguson, Jodey Arrington, Charles Blahous, Blahous Organizations: Getty, hasn't, Social Security, Security, Social, Capitol, Democratic, Republican, Republican House, Republicans, George Mason University Locations: Bridgewater , New Jersey, Jan, Georgia, Texas

☆ A 63-year-old peak boomer is 'incredibly scared' Social Security won't be enough to cover her expenses in retirement: 'I'll probably need to work until I die'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She's part of the "peak boomer" cohort, most of whom will rely on Social Security in retirement. I was somebody who did really well, and it's very disheartening because I have no idea what's going to happen with retirement," Senffner told BI. "My husband and I are both a year and a half from retirement age, but I think I'll probably need to work until I die because there's no money." Just Social Security isn't going to cover that." And with the Social Security fund set to dry out by the late 2030s — unless lawmakers intervene — Senffner is "incredibly scared" about her future.

Persons: Diane Senffner, She's, —, doesn't, Senffner, she'll, Diane Senffner Senffner, hasn't, it's Organizations: Social Security, Service, Business, Alliance, Lifetime, Income, Security, Survey, Walmart, AARP

☆ The 'peak boomer' crisis might only get worse: A fifth of Americans 50 and up have no retirement savings, and the majority are worried they won't have enough money
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Americans say they don't have enough money for retirement, with a solid chunk having no savings at all. At the same time, the economy is about to see the "peak boomer" generation retire and deplete their savings. Tourangeau is part of a generation of older Americans who don't feel confident in their financial situation. Any of those who leave the workforce to retire may need to rely on any retirement savings they have built. AdvertisementAre you a peak boomer or older American worried you won't have enough money for retirement?

Persons: —, Pam Tourangeau, let's, it's, Indira Venkateswaran, Venkateswaran, Nancy LeaMond, LeaMond Organizations: Service, Congressional Research Service, AARP, Research, Savings, Americans, Federal Reserve, University of Michigan Health, Alliance, Lifetime, Security, Social Security Locations: America

☆ Why Americans worry changes to the U.S. retirement system could upend their plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Last year, Americans' confidence that they would have enough money to live comfortably in retirement fell the most since the global financial crisis. New research shows both workers' and retirees' confidence has not recovered. But some signs of optimism have emerged, particularly as wage growth now outpaces inflation growth, according to the Employees Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research. The latter worry comes as both retirees and workers expect to rely on three sources of income in their golden years: Social Security, workplace retirement savings plans and personal retirement savings or investments, the research found. While 88% of workers expect Social Security will be a source of retirement income, almost all of today's retirees, 91%, say they depend on those benefit checks.

Organizations: Employees, Research, Greenwald Research, Finance, Security, U.S, Social Security, Social

☆ America Is Writing Checks That Mere Optimism Won’t Cover - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( David Brooks | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Interest rates have risen. According to The Wall Street Journal, America is expected to spend $870 billion, or 3.1 percent of gross domestic product, this year on interest payments on the federal debt. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the government will spend more on interest payments than on the entire defense budget. When money is tight, as it is now, government borrowing competes with private borrowing, driving interest rates up for everybody. ratio results in an increase in interest rates of two-tenths to three-tenths of a percentage point.

Organizations: Wall Street Journal, Federal Budget, Social Security Locations: America

☆ You need at least $1 million to retire comfortably in these 10 U.S. states—half are in the Northeast
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

On average, Americans believe they should save up around $1.46 million before retiring, per Northwestern Mutual's 2024 Planning and Progress study. But in certain states, like Hawaii, you'd actually need more than that. The minimum amount of savings you'd need to retire in the Aloha state is $2,051,077, according to a GOBankingRates study. It also looked at each state's cost of living through the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center state-by-state cost of living index, based on the Council for Community and Economic Research survey data. Here are the 10 states where you'd need the most to retire comfortably, according to GOBankingRates data shared with CNBC Make It.

Persons: GOBankingRates Organizations: Security, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey, Missouri Economic Research, Information Center, Council for Community, Economic Research, CNBC Locations: Northwestern, Hawaii, you'd, Aloha, Missouri

☆ A key deadline for student loan forgiveness consolidation is just days away. Here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Guido Mieth | DigitalVision | Getty ImagesBorrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness have just a few more days to act before an April 30 deadline. Those payments are typically lower than under the standard repayment plan, and can be zero in some cases. Usually, a student loan consolidation restarts a borrowers' forgiveness timeline, making it a terrible move for those working toward cancellation. What to know about consolidating your student loansAll federal student loans are eligible for consolidation, including Federal Family Education Loans, Parent Plus loans and Perkins Loans, Kantrowitz said. You can apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan at StudentAid.gov or with your loan servicer.

Persons: Guido Mieth, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Biden Organizations: DigitalVision, Getty, CNBC, Finance, Federal Family, Parent, Perkins Loans

☆ BlackRock wants to make it easier to get paycheck-like income from your retirement savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

BlackRock , the largest asset manager, has launched a new product to help workers their retirement savings into a regular income stream that mimics the paycheck they receive during their working years. "We're talking about a revolution in retirement," BlackRock CEO Larry Fink wrote of LifePath Paycheck in his recent annual letter to investors. While they receive that income, the rest of their retirement savings may continue to grow. A recent BlackRock survey found 60% of employees worry they may outlive their retirement savings. For now, the LifePath product is limited to plans offered through employers.

Persons: Larry Fink, Anne Ackerley Organizations: BlackRock, Finance, Security, Transamerica Center, Retirement Locations: BlackRock, New York

To submit a life insurance claim, however, you'll need to know which life insurance company holds the person's policy. NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator ServiceIf you don't know the insurance company your deceased loved one has a policy with, the NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator Service can help with your search. What to do once you find a life insurance policyFiling a claimOnce you've identified the insurance company and retrieved the deceased's policy information, follow these steps to claim a found life insurance policy:Contact the insurance company: The insurer will provide the claims form and instructions. The closest living relative (e.g., spouse or child)The policy's beneficiaryEstate executors and TrusteesFinding life insurance policy frequently asked questionsHow can I determine what type of life insurance policy I need? Only the beneficiaries named in the policy or their legal representatives have the right to file a claim on a life insurance policy.

Persons: you've, Policygenius Organizations: National Association of Insurance, Social, National Association, Insurance, Financial

☆ Saving in a 401(k) can come with unexpected tax bills. Here's what to check right away to avoid a surprise and 4 ways to reduce your taxes as you withdraw.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Depending on your tax bracket at the time of withdrawal, your 401(k) money could be taxed at around 20% or 30%. Note that if you have a Roth 401(k), which is funded with after-tax dollars, you won't be taxed when withdrawing. The longer you can wait to touch your 401(k) money, the longer you'll delay owing taxes. Finally, there's the "non-taxable portion," he said, which would be money in accounts like a Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, and HSA. Or do they have a Roth IRA that they can take it from tax-free to benefit them?"

Persons: —, Grant Neiland, there's, you'd, Roth, Neiland, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Carson Wealth, IRS, Roth IRA

☆ Labor Department issues rule to crack down on bad retirement savings advice
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe Biden administration issued a final rule on Tuesday that cracks down on the investment advice that advisors, brokers, insurance agents and others give to retirement savers. The final rule takes effect on Sept. 23. Current retirement rules don't provide adequate protections to savers, Labor Department officials said during a press call Tuesday. Such a dynamic can "chip away" at Americans' savings, Gomez said. The amount of 401(k)-to-IRA rollovers is 'astronomical'The final rule doesn't differ significantly from the Biden administration's initial proposal, Labor officials said.

Persons: Al Drago, Biden, Obama, Lisa Gomez, That's, Gomez, Andrew Oringer, Oringer Organizations: U.S . Department of Labor, Bloomberg, Getty, Labor, Security, The Labor Department, Economic Advisers, Biden, Finance, Economic, Wagner, Department of Labor Locations: Washington, IRAs

☆ Here's what to do if you missed the federal tax deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The federal tax deadline was April 15 for most filers — and if you missed it, you should file your return and pay your balance as soon as possible, experts say. The late filing penalty is 5% of your unpaid balance per month or partial month, capped at 25% of your balance. Here's why it may work this timeHowever, that doesn't mean you should rush to file a return if you're still missing key information, like tax forms for your investments or other earnings. With missing information, the IRS could flag your tax return for audit, processing could be delayed or you could receive an agency notice. Of course, some filers in disaster areas automatically have more time to file federal returns and pay taxes owed.

Persons: Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt, Biden, Steber Organizations: Finance, IRS

☆ Ready or not, the youngest boomers are retiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementThe majority of so-called "peak boomers" have $250,000 or less in assets , according to a recent report, write Juliana Kaplan and Ayelet Sheffey. If you're a bit surprised by the dire economic situation of peak boomers, I wouldn't blame you. Older boomers had the benefit of employer-subsidized retirement plans before a shift in the workforce left younger boomers to fend for themselves. Alistair Berg/Getty ImagesPeak boomers' retirement struggles might end up being a wake-up call for younger generations. There will be plenty of lessons learned from peak boomers entering retirement without the safety net of a pension.

Persons: —, blowup Jacob Wackerhausen, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Juliana Kaplan, Ayelet Sheffey, that's, we've, boomers, Alistair Berg, Xers, Gen Zers, Bryan Erickson, Jane Street, Chowdhury, Elon Musk, they'd, Tesla, Tony Stubblebine, Nick Little, Dani Widell, BI's Emily Stewart, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover, Grace Lett Organizations: Business, Service, Social Security, Security, Google, Wall Street, JPMorgan, Detroit Police Department, Tesla, BI, Verizon Locations: Covid, China, Europe, Airbnb ., America, New York, London, Chicago

California Coast Credit Union's 9.50% APY CD comes with strict requirements. miniseries/Getty ImagesCalifornia Coast Credit Union gives 9.50% APY (annual percentage yield) on its 5-month CD special. AdvertisementCalifornia Coast Credit Union, a local credit union in San Diego and Riverside counties, is currently offering a 5-month Celebration Certificate with a 9.50% APY, or annual percentage yield. How to get 9.50% APY on a California Coast Credit Union CDCalifornia Coast Credit Union is a credit union, which means that you'll need to be eligible for membership before you can open any account with it. California Coast Credit Union currently offers the best CD rate of any bank or credit union, with a 9.50% APY on its Celebration Certificate.

Persons: you'll, You'll, they're Organizations: California Coast, Getty, California Coast Credit Union, Credit, Credit Union, Coast Credit, California Coast Credit, California Coast Credit Union FDIC Locations: California, San Diego, Riverside, California Coast

☆ US soldier at Fort Bragg sentenced for running romance scam
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A federal judge sentenced a former Army service member to prison for running a romance scam. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022. AdvertisementA US soldier will spend more than three years in federal prison for a romance scam in which police say he impersonated military officials. Before his arrest, Frimpong was an active-duty Army service member stationed at Fort Bragg, the department said. "The fact that an Army service member was involved in romance scams while serving as a soldier is appalling."

Persons: —, Sanda G, Frimpong, Kate Kleinert, Kleinart, Tom Tanner, Michael Easley Organizations: Army, Service, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Yahoo, Wired, Social Security, Justice Department, Business Locations: Fort, United States, Nigeria

☆ Don't think all Nvidians are now rich, says one engineer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAn Nvidia engineer who makes $250,000 a year said the amount employees make at the chip giant was "not as rosy" as some might think. He told Business Insider that while some Nvidians may be lucky enough to be millionaires, "a million doesn't go too far." The software engineer didn't want to be identified as he's not authorized to speak to the media. AdvertisementThat means that a Nvidia employee earning $1 million a year may not be considered rich in a place like San Francisco. "I'm really happy with the price Nvidia stock is trading at."

Persons: —, didn't, he's, There's, Charles Schwab, I'm, I've, it's, Jensen Huang, HWA CHENG Organizations: Service, Business, Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Social Security, Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, HWA, Getty, Bloomberg Locations: Coast, California, San Francisco, India, AFP

☆ You can buy a home in France or Italy for 'the price of a new truck'—but take these 3 steps before retiring abroad
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

We love Italy and France and started thinking, 'What's our next step?'" These days, Sikes sends properties to some 25,000 followers and subscribers across X, YouTube and via a weekly newsletter. Here are three steps Sikes says you need to take before you buy a property abroad. "France and Italy both have tax treaties with the U.S., so you avoid double taxation," Sikes says. "There are zero restrictions on Americans buying property in Italy or France," Sikes says.

Persons: Tommy Sikes, Sikes, —, Italy, You'd, Roth, they've, I've, haven't Organizations: CNBC, YouTube, Security, U.S Locations: Europe, France, United States, U.S, Italy

☆ Here's why economists are so worried about soaring US debt levels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Those include higher inflation, greater market volatility, and a lower quality of life for Americans. AdvertisementThe US is sitting on the biggest pile of public debt in its history, and economists are getting nervous about it. AdvertisementIt's critical for the US to sell its debt to investors, which range from institutions, individuals, and other countries. It won't be on housing, it'll be on interest," Zagorsky said. There's little the government can do to stop those problems from brewing, other than to stop taking on so much new debt, Zagorsky and Rubin say.

Persons: —, Les Rubin, Rubin, Jay Zagorsky, Zagorsky, it'll, There's Organizations: Service, Bank of America, US Treasury, Boston University, Inflation, Social Security

☆ Romance scammers are now building trust with AI-generated deepfakes. Here's how to spot them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It might be because he's a romance scammer called a "Yahoo Boy" who wants to steal your life savings. Once gaining the victims' trust, the scammers use a pretense to solicit money, like the need to pay an emergency medical expense. Last year alone, the FBI's Internet Crime Report estimated that Americans lost more than $650 million to romance scams. Kate Kleinert, a 69-year-old widow, previously told BI that she lost $39,000 to an online romance scam. Over the last two years, the Yahoo Boys started experimenting with deepfake video clips and video calls, according to Wired.

Persons: —, Kate Kleinert, Kleinart, David Maimon, Trina Higgins, Higgins, haven't Organizations: Service, Yahoo, Yahoo Boys, Department of Justice, Business, Federal Trade Commission, Social Security, Wired, Georgia State University, CNN, Nigerian, Prosecutors, Justice Department Locations: Nigeria, Hong Kong, Salt Lake City, Utah

☆ Many retirees don't delay Social Security benefits, research finds. Here's why experts say it pays to wait
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

And more than half of that group will primarily rely on Social Security for income, according to new research from the Alliance for Lifetime Income. Deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits is a high stakes decision. Eligibility for retirement benefits starts at age 62. But full retirement age – generally age 66 or 67, depending on an individual's birth year — is when retirees may receive 100% of the benefits they've earned. For each year you wait past full retirement age up to 70, you may receive an 8% benefit boost.

Persons: –, they've, Teresa Ghilarducci Organizations: Social Security, Alliance for Lifetime, Social, The New School for Social Research, Alliance, Lifetime Locations: New

☆ By 2054, there will be 422,000 Americans over age 100. That poses a financial challenge
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

By 2054, there will be an estimated 422,000 Americans age 100 and older — more than four times the 101,000 in 2024, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. What's more, the centenarian population has nearly tripled in the last three decades alone, according to Pew. Among the best ways to hedge against outliving one's savings is by working longer, according to retirement experts. That may be more necessary as employers have offloaded responsibility for retirement savings onto workers' shoulders, by shifting from pensions to 401(k)-type retirement plans. "People need to be prepared to work longer," he said.

Persons: Artur Debat, Pew . Irving Piken, Piken, Mark Rightmire, John Scott, Barry Glassman, Glassman, Pew's Scott, Scott Organizations: Pew Research, Census, Pew ., Woods Community, MediaNews, Orange, Getty, Finance, Wealth Services, Reference, Workers, Social Security, Security Locations: U.S, California

☆ I was put on a performance improvement plan, so I chose to retire at 58. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a young retiree.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jackie Fishman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was put on a PIP after working at my company for 10 years, so I decided to quit. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAfter working in my position for nine years as a communications specialist for a healthcare association headquartered in Chicago, I was put on a performance improvement plan (PIP) during my 10th annual job review. I went on several interviews, but I felt forced to retireShortly after I left the association, I started working part-time for a vendor I had previously done business with. Those advancements easily become part of your regular work environment, but as a retiree, I'm worried I'll fall behind.

Persons: it's, —, I'm Organizations: Service, Social, AARP Locations: Chicago

☆ Welcome to 'peak boomer' era: A wave of retirees is about to blow through their savings and cling to Social Security to stay afloat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Over 30 million "peak boomers" are entering retirement financially unprepared. This cohort is known as "peak boomers," and per the report, most of them are on track for significant economic headwinds. It's what some have called the boomer retirement bomb — and it might be costly for the rest of the workers in the economy. The peak boomers' retirement wave could also impact the overall US economy. And, per Business Insider's calculations of CPS ASEC data, 79.2% of retirees receive some type of Social Security income.

Persons: —, Robert Shapiro, boomers, Pam Organizations: Social Security, Service, Alliance, Lifetime, Income, Federal Reserve, University of Michigan Health, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Boomers, Consumer Expenditure Survey, CPS

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