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☆ Gen Xers think they'll need $1.56 million to live comfortably in retirement, a survey found
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

According to the survey, Americans set their sights on $1.46 million as the magic number to make them feel comfortable in retirement. And it differs by generation — both Gen Z and millennials said they would feel comfortable retiring with over $1.6 million, Gen X thinks $1.56 million, and boomers think $990,000. For example, the majority of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X survey respondents expect the US will enter a recession this year — with one-third of adults saying they don't feel financially secure. Gen X is also facing their own tough economic plight as the "forgotten generation." Millennials and Gen Zers both started saving earlier for retirement than their Gen X peers and are more confident that they'll be financially prepared for retirement.

Persons: —, millennials, X, Gen X, That's, X's, Gen Z, it'll, Xers, that's, it's, Millennials, Zers, Gen Xers Organizations: Service, Northwestern Mutual, Business, Fidelity Investments, Wall Street, Social Security, Security

☆ Student-loan borrowers in public service are facing a key change starting in May — and it'll mean delays in their debt cancellation progress
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSome key changes are on the way for thousands of federal student-loan borrowers in public service. President Joe Biden's Education Department recently posted new guidance on Federal Student Aid's website with updates to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Once PSLF processing resumes in July, borrowers' loans will remain with their servicer, but the Education Department will fully manage the program. As a result, borrowers can view their PSLF payments directly on studentaid.gov, access "enhanced" services like status tracking for their applications, and see quicker processing times for PSLF. AdvertisementOn top of this transition, MOHELA is in the process of transitioning borrowers to a new servicing platform, which could mean up to 30-day delays in posting payments.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, MOHELA, that'll, PSLF, Grant, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Bernie Sanders Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Federal, Public, Business, Teacher, College And Higher, Federal Student Aid, Education Department, PSLF, Protection Locations: Massachusetts

☆ The Fed's timing for interest rate cuts won't have anything to do with the presidential election, Powell says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it's still too soon to feel confident in cutting interest rates. But he emphasized that the timing for any rate cuts will not have anything to do with the election. The discussion comes after the Fed maintained its interest rate level in its most recent decision in March. While the Federal Open Market Committee forecast three interest rate cuts in December, Powell said on Wednesday that it'll take more data for the Fed to feel confident enough to implement that relief. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Jerome Powell, it's, Trump, Powell, —, Sundhar Pinchai Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Stanford's Business, Government, Society Forum, Google, Fed, Federal, Business

In particular, the researchers looked at a group dubbed "disconnected youth," who aren't working and are also not in school. As of 2022, disconnected youth comprised 13% of this age group; that share has been rising overall since 1998, according to calculations from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. AdvertisementYounger Americans are facing stagnant incomesThe Dallas Fed found that, even after a post-pandemic dip, the rate of disconnected youth has increased since the end of the 1990s. AdvertisementAnd the number of young adults with no income has been on the rise; in 1990, around one in five young adults said they had no wage or salary income. Are you or were you a "disconnected youth," or supporting one?

Persons: —, Louis, Gen, Zers, Louis Fed's, Louis Fed, William M, Rodgers III, Rodgers Organizations: Service, Louis Federal Reserve's Institute for Economic Equity, Business, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Dallas Fed, Federal Reserve's Survey, Consumer, Louis Fed, National Health, Blacks, Louis, Louis Fed's Institute for Economic Equity

☆ Some top schools are bringing back ACT and SAT requirements — but most colleges are still test-optional. Here's what you need to know.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementYale and Brown made similar announcements, saying they conducted studies that found requiring testing allowed them to attract the most diverse student body. "The institutions we're currently talking about, they're requiring tests again and didn't necessarily want to ever stop requiring tests," Baker said. Its reason: requiring testing scores would help the school choose between many high school seniors with high GPAs. Even so, data has shown students have continued to take tests despite applying to schools with test-optional policies. AdvertisementMoving forward, Baker said it's important that if more schools choose to switch their testing policies, they consider the announcement's timing.

Persons: —, they're, Brown, Brown's, Francis Doyle, Harry Feder, Dominique Baker, couldn't, Baker, Jay Hartzell Organizations: Service, Dartmouth, Business, Yale, ACT, National Center for Fair, University of Delaware, Ivy League, University of Texas, University of Michigan, College Board Locations: Austin

☆ There might be a better way for colleges to honor legacies without giving them preference in admissions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementUsing 2021-2022 admissions data from the Common Data Set — a College Board Initiative — the report found that selective and private colleges were most likely to use legacy preference in their admissions. The University of Nebraska, for example, offers $14,000 a year for legacy students from out-of-state. Another example is Drake University, which offers a $2,500 per year award to legacy students. Business Insider has previously reported on the precedent continued legacy preference is setting for the future of higher education. AdvertisementMurphy said he's most worried about legacy preference in admissions, and while legacy scholarships might not send the best message, "if every college in the country drops legacy preferences and hold on to legacy scholarships, I'm fine with that."

Persons: James Murphy, who's, Murphy, Leslie Reed, Drake, he's Organizations: Service, Business, Brookings, College Board Initiative, Reform, University of Nebraska, Drake University, Ivy League

☆ Gen Z isn't sure higher education is worth it — and it might be taking a toll on Harvard
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Applications to Harvard declined 5.14% this year, compared to last year. The decline follows controversy at Harvard surrounding its response to antisemitism. It could also reflect a larger trend in Gen Zers no longer valuing higher education. This data also comes after the school reported a 17% decline in applications for early admissions in December. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Zers, — Organizations: Harvard, Service, Boston Ivy League, Business

☆ Some student-loan borrowers have just 1 month left to get closer to debt cancellation — and they need to take action
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Some student-loan borrowers have one month left to benefit from one-time account adjustments. Borrowers who do not have qualifying loans need to consolidate by April 30. AdvertisementSome student-loan borrowers have just one month to get closer to debt relief. President Joe Biden's Education Department is nearing the end of its one-time account adjustment for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. First implemented last summer, the adjustment allowed the department to evaluate borrowers' accounts every other month to determine which borrowers qualified for debt relief but had yet to receive it.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Public, Business

☆ A dad explains why the college financial aid process has him worried he'll be 'scrambling to try to find money at the last minute' for his 2 daughters
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Antonio Scordo, 50, is struggling to navigate the college financial aid process for his two daughters. Having already sent his son through college, Scordo was familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, process — but this year has brought a host of new challenges. "We also don't want to apply for not enough because then you're scrambling to try to find money at the last minute. According to Federal Student Aid, the ability to make corrections and updates will not become available until "the first half of April." To help pay for his son and one of his daughter's schools, he took out nearly $50,000 in parent PLUS loans, per documents reviewed by BI.

Persons: Antonio Scordo, —, Scordo, Joe Biden's, she's, she'll, Miguel Cardona, Cardona, they're Organizations: Service, Federal Student Aid, Joe Biden's Education Department, Business, BI, The Education Department, Politico, Microsoft, Education Department Locations: Scordo

☆ Thousands of student-loan borrowers got their debt wiped through a new repayment reform. 11 GOP states just filed a lawsuit to block that relief.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Eleven GOP state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block the SAVE income-driven repayment plan. They argued that the shortened timeline for debt relief through the plan is unconstitutional. An Education Department official said Congress allows the authority to set terms for income-driven repayment. While the lawsuit makes several comparisons to the debt relief plan the Supreme Court struck down, the legal basis for the two plans differ. The Education Department is currently undergoing the negotiated rulemaking process for its second attempt at a broader form of debt relief.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Kris Kobach —, Miguel Cardona, Biden's, Biden, Kobach, Harris Organizations: GOP, An Education Department, Service, Biden, Education, Republican, Education Department, Business, US Department of Education, Harris Administration, Higher Locations: Kansas

☆ A $0 monthly student-loan payment could hurt some borrowers in the long term. An upcoming policy could change that.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Philadelphia Federal Reserve paper examined $0 monthly student-loan payments on income-driven payment plans. AdvertisementA $0 monthly student-loan payment might only help some borrowers for so long. With student-loan payments often presenting a significant financial burden for borrowers, income-driven repayment plans were created with the idea that borrowers would face a monthly payment they can afford based on their income. In some cases, IDR plans would give borrowers a $0 monthly payment that would still count toward their forgiveness process. Borrowers will still be able to do so manually, but the automatic option could protect those with $0 monthly payments from falling behind on the payment plan's requirements.

Persons: —, servicers Organizations: Philadelphia Federal Reserve, Service, Education Department, Education

☆ Happiness is typically U-shaped throughout your life. The US has changed that.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A recent global report found a decline in young people's happiness in North America. That's upending the idea that happiness in life follows a U shape. In North America, it now looks more like a J. Related storiesShe added that "younger adults in North America also reported lower levels of trust in the government, higher levels of concerns around corruption. AdvertisementThe idea of dual peaks in contentedness came from a 2010 article in The Economist called "The U-bend of life."

Persons: That's, —, Laura Aknin, Aknin, They're, Vivek Murthy, Christopher Wong Michaelson, Thomas Organizations: Service, Gallup, US, University of St, New York University Locations: North America, contentedness, Finland, Czechia, Lithuania, Slovenia

☆ An 82-year-old who moved to Florida by herself nearly 4 decades ago follows one key tip to avoid loneliness — and it led her to run her first marathon at 60
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She loves being active and has found her closest friends through her running group. "It was difficult finding friends, and I didn't know how to make friends," Arguelles told Business Insider. AdvertisementBefore coming to Florida, Arguelles worked in real estate in Chicago, and she found a job in the same field in Florida — but she didn't enjoy it, so she quit. But when she saw a flyer for a running group that was raising money to fight leukemia, she decided to join — and ended up running her first marathon at the age of 60. "I started making friends in that running group, and those friends became a very tight community," Arguelles said.

Persons: Vivien Arguelles, —, Arguelles, didn't, Patrick's, She's, it's, Vivek Murthy, I'd, she's, I'm, Dianne Stone, Stone, we're Organizations: Service, Business, —, National Council, National Institute of Senior Centers Locations: Florida, Cuba, Chicago, Spain, Portugal, Italy

☆ The Fed still probably isn't ready to give Americans the interest rate cuts they're hoping for
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Still, the door is open for rate cuts later in the year. AdvertisementThe nation's central bank is gearing up to make its second interest rate decision of the year, and it probably won't be the relief many Americans want to see. AdvertisementStill, while Americans may not see an interest rate cut this month, they could see one later on this year. But I still think interest rate cuts of one form or the other are likely this year." A group of Democratic lawmakers are also urging Powell to develop a timeline in which Americans can expect to see rate cuts.

Persons: Jerome Powell, —, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick, Powell, there's, we've, Nick Bunker, Julia Pollak, Pollak, Congressional Progressive Caucus — Organizations: Federal, Service, Fed, Financial Services Committee, North America, Democratic, Congressional Progressive Caucus

☆ A major student-loan company is 'impeding' borrowers' debt cancellation and 'mishandling' their monthly bills, Elizabeth Warren says. She wants its CEO to face Congress.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewMassachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has questions for the head of a major student-loan company — and she wants him to answer them in Congress next month. On Monday, Warren sent a letter to Scott Giles, the CEO of federal student-loan servicer MOHELA, inviting him to testify before the Senate banking committee on April 10. MOHELA was the first federal servicer to be punished by the Education Department for failing to fulfill its contractual obligations. "Your testimony will provide you with an opportunity to offer context on MOHELA's role as a student loan servicer at a time of significant transition for the federal student loan program," she added. Warren, along with other Democratic lawmakers, has previously scrutinized MOHELA's handling of student-loan borrowers' accounts.

Persons: —, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren, Scott Giles, servicer MOHELA, MOHELA, servicer, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Bernie Sanders, PSLF, I'm Organizations: Service, Public, Business, Education Department, Democratic, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Locations: Massachusetts, Nelnet

☆ A millennial got $76,000 in student debt wiped out last year. Now he's learned it was a mistake and has to dig into his retirement savings to afford payments again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"So I mean, we upped our retirement contributions, put more in our savings account because we're saving to buy an apartment." According to David's account, he's expected to resume payments in April, and while he's not yet sure what the amount will be, he's already having to cut back on spending and dig into his retirement savings to make sure he can afford an additional bill. Since federal student-loan payments resumed in October after an over three-year pause, many borrowers have been struggling to get help from their servicers due to strained resources at Federal Student Aid, the office that oversees repayment. AdvertisementAs David waits for clarity, he's evaluating how much money he can withdraw from his savings account to face his student-loan payments once again. "I'm on the fortunate end of this in that I do actually have a savings account," David said.

Persons: David, David —, —, MOHELA, he's, We've, we're, Anne, hasn't, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, BI, Public, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Republican Locations: PSLF, MOHELA

☆ Over 27,000 student-loan borrowers are getting $4.1 million in payments in the mail after debt relief companies 'lured' them into 'fake loan forgiveness claims,' a federal consumer agency says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThousands of student-loan borrowers are getting checks in the mail after paying companies accused of scamming them for debt relief services. The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday announced it would be sending over $4.1 million in refunds to 27,584 borrowers who gave money to South Dakota corporations Mission Hills Federal and Federal Direct Group. According to the press release, the FTC said the companies "lured consumers with fake loan forgiveness claims and pocketed their money." Advertisement"Moreover, because Defendants have failed to apply most or any of consumers' payments to their student loans, many consumers have accrued additional capitalized interest on the balance of their loans," the complaint said. Those with questions about the payments can contact JND Legal Administration — the company overseeing FTC's refunds — at 844-566-0108, or seek information through the FTC's refund information website.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, Wednesday, Mission Hills Federal, Federal Direct Group, Business, FTC, Court, Central, Central District of, —, Consumer Financial, Education Department Locations: South Dakota, Central District, Central District of California, California, reportfraud.ftc.gov

☆ An 83-year-old who moved from New York to Florida explains how she's working to prevent loneliness and make friends — without playing pickleball
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Back in New York, Rosalind said she was active with her friends, playing tennis and pickleball at a local club. To attempt to find other social connections, Rosalind said she's taken up playing bridge, participating in a book club, and attending local plays. While moving to a new place can be an isolating experience for anyone, loneliness tends to hit older adults especially hard. Advertisement"The most important thing in life is family and then friends," Rosalind said. 'It's not an easy road'After spending over 80 years in New York, Rosalind said she's still getting used to the quieter life in Florida.

Persons: Rosalind, Rosalind —, —, she's, She's, Vivek Murthy, there's, they're, Maria Maki, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Bob Casey, Murphy, Rosalind isn't Organizations: Service, Democratic Locations: New York, Florida, York, Minnesota

☆ Student-loan borrowers could see an easier repayment process through Biden's budget request — along with efforts to make college cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It includes a $3.1 billion funding increase for the Education Department to help student-loan borrowers. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden's budget wish list is out — and it includes boosted funding to help student-loan borrowers as they continue to navigate the return to repayment. Biden's budget request released on Monday outlines what his administration is seeking to prioritize in the final year of his first term. Additionally, the budget request proposes getting rid of student-loan origination fees, or fees a lender charges for processing a borrower's loan. However, many of the initiatives in Biden's budget request would require congressional approval, and with Republicans holding a majority in the House, it's unlikely it would pass in its current form.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal, Pell Grant, Biden Organizations: Education Department, Service, Child, Social Security, Federal, Aid, Federal Student Aid, Education, College Fund, Republicans, Business, Management

☆ President Biden's new budget wants to bring back the child tax credit and make sure Americans don't face Social Security cuts — all while taxing billionaires and big companies more
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The budget seeks to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit and keep Social Security benefits intact. The budget also proposes a tax increase on billionaires, companies, and firms giving executives big paydays. The proposal comes after a tax bill that would partially expand the Child Tax Credit currently lingers untouched in Congress. Advertisement"It cuts costs for families with children and American workers and lowers childcare costs for hardworking families," Young continued. Would a restored child tax credit or maintained Social Security benefits impact your life?

Persons: Joe Biden, —, White, Shalanda Young, Young, Biden Organizations: Tax, Social, Service, American, Management, Social Security, Federal, Aid, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, —, GOP, Security

☆ A mom got $192,000 in student debt wiped out last year. But her servicer just told her the relief was a mistake — and she has to figure out how to afford monthly payments again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Anne, 46, received notice in June that her loans were forgiven thanks to her years of public service. But in late February, MOHELA told her the relief was an error, and her balance was reinstated. AdvertisementAnne breathed a sigh of relief in June when she received the notice she waited years for: her nearly $200,000 student-loan balance was forgiven. I really can't believe this is true," Anne told Business Insider. BI previously spoke to another borrower, Okwara, who MOHELA told that the loan forgiveness he received last year was a mistake.

Persons: Anne, MOHELA, —, She's, Anne isn't, I'm, Okwara, she's, it'll, I've Organizations: Service, Public, Business, PSLF, BI, Education Department

☆ Biden is still running on a promise to get student-loan forgiveness to 'as many borrowers as possible.' Here's where his debt relief efforts stand.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When Biden was first running for office, he campaigned on canceling $10,000 in student debt per borrower, along with reforming repayment programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness. AdvertisementThe Education Department is undergoing a process to get relief to borrowers using a different law, but it will take time to reach borrowers. Targeted student-loan forgivenessWhile the Supreme Court struck down Biden's first try at broad student-loan forgiveness, he has still enacted smaller amounts of relief to borrowers through various reforms. Additionally, the Education Department has announced debt cancellation for borrowers defrauded by the schools they attended, including the major for-profit chains ITT Technical Institute and Corinthian Colleges. In February, the department announced $1.2 billion in debt relief for 153,000 borrowers, the first group to benefit from that provision.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, Clare McCann, Arnold Ventures —, McCann, Biden's, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Public, Biden, Business, Department, Arnold Ventures, Education Department, ITT Technical Institute, Corinthian Colleges, Education, Higher Locations: PSLF, deferment

☆ Student-loan borrowers will start to see 'improvements' to the repayment process starting this month
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Millions of student-loan borrowers might soon see improvements to the platforms they use to pay off their debt. Federal Student Aid also posted an announcement on its website with further details on the platform changes. This is likely an effort to prevent scams by making it clear to borrowers that the servicer works with the federal government. It'll ensure that borrowers can detect whether information is coming from an Education Department website to protect them from scams and reduce disruptions across servicing platforms. Advertisement"You will see more improvements when managing and repaying your loans in the coming year," the email to borrowers said.

Persons: Joe Biden's, MOHELA Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Business, Federal, Aid, Education Department

☆ A 71-year-old explains all the ways she's countering loneliness. They include tacos and a cellphone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While Skinner said she wasn't in isolation, she was happy — thinking back on it — that her doctor asked that question. AdvertisementSkinner, 71, has adopted "Taco Tuesdays" as one avenue to maintain social connections. When you have better social connections, it just helps your brain stay wired in positive ways." As Skinner works to build connections, she's also doing all she can to make the most out of the time she has each day. Now, her focus is on growing the friendships she's made into deeper relationships, which she said "takes quite a bit of time."

Persons: Susan Skinner, She's, Skinner, Vivek Murthy, it's, crumb, I've, she's, Preeti Malani, who've, Malani, — Organizations: Service, tacos, Facebook, University of Michigan Locations: Nebraska

☆ 1 million Arizonans will have all their medical debt wiped out, joining other states' efforts to make sure the burden doesn't 'torpedo' Americans' lives, Arizona's governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewNearly 1 million Arizona residents will soon see their medical debt balances turn to zero. AdvertisementA February analysis conducted by nonprofit health organization KFF, based on government data, estimated that about 20 million Americans owe at least $220 billion in medical debt, with 14 million people owing over $1,000 in medical debt and about 3 million people owing more than $10,000. Ned Lamont, who announced in early February that the state would cancel $650 million in medical debt for about 250,000 residents. Arizonans deserve a break, and they deserve a government that fights for them, helping ensure that medical debt is not going to torpedo their lives." Are you struggling to pay off medical debt?

Persons: —, Katie Hobbs, Joe Biden, Jeff Smedsrud, Hobbs, Smedsrud, Ned Lamont, Phil Murphy, Murphy, Arizonans, Jim Baker, Baker, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Arizona Gov, American, Plan, Business, Arizonans, Connecticut Gov, New, New Jersey Gov Locations: Arizona, New Jersey, Phoenix

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