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☆ The sun is getting more active than it has for a decade — and it could lead to power outages, grounded flights, and stunning auroras
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

That motion, called convection, is what creates strong magnetic fields at the poles and smaller, local magnetic fields at the surface of the sun. That instability causes havoc in the magnetic fields at the surface of the sun, which become much more active. NASA/Solar Dynamics ObservatoryAs the magnetic fields become more confused, bigger sun spots can appear on the surface of the sun. As the sun's local magnetic fields get more tangled and crash into each other, they can explode. "The aurora oval that sits up over the northern and southern poles is a result of currents flowing in the Earth's atmosphere," Owens said.

☆ What Is Adjusted Gross Income?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

Your adjusted gross income, or AGI, is your gross income—the sum of all your income sources for the year—less certain above-the-line deductions allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. Your adjusted gross income acts as a guidepost for several aspects of your finances. For instance, if you earned $55,000 from your job, rental income of $10,000 and dividend income of $630, your annual gross income would be $65,630. Here’s a tip: Your AGI will never be more than your gross income, and some taxpayers may find their gross income and AGI are the same. No conversation about adjusted gross income is complete without discussing modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI.

☆ The sun is about to get more active than it has for a decade — and it could lead to power outages, grounded flights, and stunning auroras
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

That motion, called convection, is what creates strong magnetic fields at the poles and smaller, local magnetic fields at the surface of the sun. That instability causes havoc in the magnetic fields at the surface of the sun, which become much more active. As the sun's local magnetic fields get more tangled and crash into each other, they can explode. The worst solar storm we've seen happened in 1859. But as SpaceX and NASA aim to ramp up missions in coming years, they will need to prepare for solar storms.

☆ Medicare expenses in retirement could top $383,000 for a couple with high drug costs, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"You don't want to be shocked when you get to retirement and find this out, or discover that Medicare doesn't cover everything," Fronstin said. Representing an extreme case, a couple with high prescription drug expenses would need to have saved $383,000 to have a 90% chance of having enough to cover their health-care costs. Advantage Plan coverageThe second coverage scenario analyzed in the study involves a Medicare Advantage Plan, which delivers Parts A and B, and typically Part D, as well extras like dental and vision. Of Medicare's 64.5 million beneficiaries, 29.1 million are enrolled in Advantage Plans and that number is expected to continue growing. While many Advantage Plans have no premium, they do have their own deductibles, copays or coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that vary from plan to plan.

Details Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 7.49% to 18.00% Fees $29 late fee Editor's Rating 3.75 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.75 out of 5 Stars Pros & Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Navy Federal Personal Loan Amounts and Interest RatesNavy Federal Credit Union has personal loan amounts that range from $250 to $50,000. How Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loans WorkNavy Federal Credit Union offers unsecured personal loans, which are loans that don't require collateral, such as a house or car. Navy Federal Personal Loans Frequently Asked QuestionsAre Navy Federal personal loans legitimate? Yes, Navy Federal Credit Union is a legitimate credit union federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

☆ What Is an SBA Loan?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

By Tanza LoudenbackEntrepreneurs without a ton of cash or access to affordable financing may want to consider an SBA loan. Types of SBA loansThe most common type of SBA loan is a 7(a) loan. SBA loan rates and repayment termsInterest rates on SBA loans are negotiated between the lender and the borrower, within the SBA’s minimums and maximums. “The big difference is SBA loans tend to have much more favorable terms,” says Chris Hurn, the founder and CEO of Fountainhead, an SBA lender. How to apply for an SBA loanHere are the steps to apply for an SBA loan.

How to earn Alaska Airlines milesThere are two types of Alaska miles: Elite-qualifying miles and redeemable miles. Earn Alaska miles for car rentalsYou can opt-in to earn Alaska miles when you rent cars through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, or Thrifty. Redeem Alaska miles for domestic flightsOne of the most popular ways to redeem Alaska miles is for domestic award flights on Alaska and its partner American Airlines. Redeem Alaska miles for flights on partner airlinesUsing Alaska Airlines miles for award flights on partner airlines is perhaps the best way to use your Alaska miles. Donate Alaska Airlines miles to charityYou can donate your Alaska miles to over a dozen different charities, in 1,000-mile increments, and with no maximums or fees.

In Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200 for a conforming mortgage. Most Montana counties limit you to borrowing $472,030 for an FHA mortgage, but a select few have higher maximums. Montana conforming and FHA mortgage borrowing limits by countyTo get a conforming mortgage — which is what most people think of as a "regular mortgage" — in Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200. Borrowing limits for FHA mortgages are different in some counties. Note: To borrow more than $726,200 in Montana, you'll have to apply for a jumbo mortgage.

☆ Some Medicare costs are heading higher in 2023, while others are going down. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Part B premium and deductible will be lowerThe standard Part B premium will be lower in 2023 — $164.90, down from $170.10 in 2022. While most beneficiaries pay the standard premium, higher-income enrollees pay more due to income-related surcharges (see table below). However, "they are calculated based on income two years prior," said Elizabeth Gavino, founder of Lewin & Gavino and an independent broker and general agent for Medicare plans. And, some of those options either have no monthly charge or will pay your Part B premium. The maximum out-of-pocket limit for Advantage Plans will be $8,300 in 2023 for in-network services.

☆ The criminal charges against Sam Bankman-Fried carry big penalties and jail time if proven, legal experts say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

If he pleads guilty or ends up being convicted, a federal judge will ultimately decide the length of any prison sentence. And those charges come with potentially big penalties, if he's found guilty: In a sparse indictment unsealed on Tuesday morning, federal prosecutors in Manhattan listed eight criminal counts. Prosecutors leveled multiple conspiracy and wire fraud charges, some of which can be fairly straightforward as they don't require elaborate exposition to support, according to legal experts. It is too soon to tell what, if any, charges Bankman-Fried would be convicted on. But federal criminal statutes prescribe these maximum prison penalties for the following counts:Four counts relating to wire fraud: Maximum sentence for each count is 20 years in prison.

☆ 6 health insurance terms you need to know as open enrollment begins
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

PremiumsThe premium is the sum you pay an insurer each month to participate in the health plan. It's perhaps the most transparent and easy-to-understand cost component of a health plan — the equivalent of a sticker price. Eighty-eight percent of workers covered by a health plan have a deductible in 2022, according to KFF. For example, would you struggle to pay a $1,000 medical bill if you require health care? If so, a health plan with a larger monthly premium and a smaller deductible may be your best bet, Sun said.

What we look for when rating RV and boat loansWe rate all RV and boat loan products in our guides on a 1-5 scale. Many RV and boat loan lenders don't list their maximum rates, which makes it difficult to factor that into our rating. Companies with a loan minimum of $20,000 or higher or a loan maximum of $100,000 or lower get a 3 out of 5 .. Maximum vehicle age and permissible use (15%)We determine the maximum age of the RV or boat you purchase. RV and boat loan lenders that earn high marks in each category will be our lenders with the highest overall ratings.

How Consumers Credit Union auto loans compareHow Consumers Credit Union compares Consumers Credit Union Auto LoanPenFed Auto LoanNavy Federal Credit Union Auto Loans Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Borrowers who pay a one-time $5 membership fee to the Consumers Cooperative Association qualify for membership with Consumers Credit Union. If you make reliable, on-time payments, you may improve your credit score with an auto loan from a credit union. Consumers Credit Union will report your payments (or lack thereof) to the three major credit bureaus. Consumers Credit Union doesn't have a minimum credit score required for its auto loans.

☆ Before dropping a Medicare Advantage plan altogether during open enrollment, compare these key costs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

FatCamera | E+ | Getty ImagesFor some Medicare beneficiaries, an Advantage Plan ends up not being a good fit. Here's what to consider if you want to ditch an Advantage Plan altogether. Danielle Roberts co-founder of Boomer Benefits"There is not a guarantee that the underwriter will approve you for the Medigap policy," Roberts said. This means it may be wise to avoid dropping your Advantage Plan until you know you'd be able to get the Medigap policy. That 12-month trial period lets you drop an Advantage Plan and return to the Medigap plan you were previously enrolled in.

☆ Americans think the government is too old — and wide margins support term limits, age caps, and cognitive tests, an Insider/Morning Consult poll finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Most Americans want to see age caps in Congress, according to an Insider/Morning Consult poll. Congressional term limits and medical examinations for elected leaders are among the measures garnering overwhelming support among poll respondents. Indeed, respondents were more supportive of age limits for people who steer legislation than they were for people who steer heavy machinery. More respondents want to see age caps in Congress — 75% — than maximum ages for police officers (73%) and truck drivers (64%). All told, 76% of respondents overall — and 66% of Democrats — said Biden is too old to serve in public office.

Citi; InsiderThe Citi Premier® Card's 3x bonus categories include supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations. The Citi Premier® Card earns 3x Citi ThankYou points per eligible dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations — and these bonus categories are permanent and uncapped. Get a head start with the Citi Premier 80,000-point welcome bonusThe Citi Premier® Card welcome bonus is nothing to overlook, either. Citi has other cards you can pair with the Citi Premier® Card to pool your points in one place, including the Citi® Double Cash Card, Citi Rewards+® Card, and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, which have no annual fee. Here's our full Citi Premier card review to help you decide if it's the best fit for you.

☆ Best life insurance policies for seniors in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-03-11 | by ( Holly Johnson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Term life insurance for seniorsWhile some types of life insurance are permanent, term life insurance for seniors lasts only for a specific term or time frame, usually 10 to 30 years. Keep in mind that term life insurance for seniors typically requires a medical exam, although the coverage amounts you can qualify for with term policies can be higher than no exam life insurance alternatives. Whole life insurance for seniorsSeniors can get guaranteed issue whole life insurance policies, but it'll cost more and coverage will be lower. No exam life insuranceNo exam life insurance for seniors is the same as guaranteed issue coverage. iStockGuaranteed universal life insurance is a popular option for older people whose existing term life insurance policies have expired or are about to expire.

☆ It's your last month to use credit card benefits that reset each calendar year — and avoid missing out on valuable statement credits and bonuses
▼ + stars: | 2021-12-27 | by ( Eric Rosen | Read More | Read Less | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +39 min

Make sure you use up credit card statement credits and meet spending thresholds for bonuses by December 31. Milos Dimic/GettySome credit card perks, such as statement credits or spending bonuses, reset each calendar year. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. More Information Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card,Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card all earn Tier Qualification Points (TQPs) toward elite status based on spending.

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