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☆ We're in a 'buffalo' market, Bank of America says. Here's what that means for investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Experts say those stock moves and shuffling sectors are common during a bull market. But Bank of America is calling today's conditions something else — a buffalo market — which is still in the bull family. But unlike the bull market, it may get tired after a strong runup. "It might roam, it might wander in the summer months," said Marci McGregor, head of portfolio strategy at Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank. The firm's outlook sees markets finishing higher this year, based on factors including earnings, the investment cycle, financial conditions, interest rates and generative artificial intelligence.

Persons: Marci McGregor, McGregor Organizations: Financial, Bank of America, Merrill, Bank of America Private Bank Locations: New York City

☆ Most people don't know how much their Social Security retirement benefits may be. Here's how to tell
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Klaus Vedfelt | Getty ImagesFor most retirees, Social Security benefits is a major source of income. In 2024, almost 68 million Americans will receive a per month Social Security benefit, totaling about $1.5 trillion in benefits paid during the year. How to get your Social Security benefit estimateTo help workers of all ages gauge their benefits, the Social Security Administration provides detailed statements. "The closer someone is to age 62, the more accurate it is," said Jim Blair, vice president of Premier Social Security Consulting and a former Social Security administrator. What to watch out forOne important reason to check Social Security benefit statements is to make sure there are not any errors in your earnings history.

Persons: Klaus Vedfelt, aren't, NIRS, Tyler Bond, Bond, Joe Elsasser, it's, Elsasser, Kamala Harris, Jim Blair, Blair Organizations: Social Security, National Institute on Retirement Security, Security, Social, Workers, Social Security Administration, Finance, Trump, Premier Social Security Consulting

☆ Older voters face new decision in November with Kamala Harris poised to lead Democratic ticket
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris walk to the East room to welcome the 2023 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces during a celebration at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2024. Craig Hudson | ReutersLast Wednesday, a group of "Boomers for Biden-Harris" threw a virtual party that was attended by about 400 participants across the U.S. This week, the names on the Democratic presidential ticket are poised to change now that President Joe Biden announced he has dropped out of his reelection campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. "Seniors loved President Biden," said Laurie Plotnick, 76, a retiree and president of the Florida Democratic Senior Caucus who attended last week's event. "We were very supportive of him staying in the race, if that is what he wanted to do," Plotnick said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Craig Hudson, Harris, Biden, Laurie Plotnick, Plotnick Organizations: U.S, Las Vegas Aces, White, Reuters, Boomers, Biden, Democratic, Seniors, Florida Democratic Senior Caucus Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ As Gen Xers reach retirement withdrawal age, using that money should be a 'last resort,' expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Fg Trade | E+ | Getty ImagesGen Xers are starting to reach age milestones that give them penalty-free access to certain retirement funds. And once they reach a certain milestone — age 59½ — they can withdraw money from their individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, and 401(k)s penalty free. Beyond those age guidelines, there are other exceptions that may enable savers to avoid penalties for early retirement withdrawals. Add money through catch-up contributionsFor younger Gen Xers, age 50 marks another milestone, when they can start making catch-up contributions to retirement accounts. To clear the way for tax-free withdrawals in retirement, retirement savers may opt to gradually convert pre-tax IRA funds to post-tax Roth accounts.

Persons: Xers, Ed Slott, Slott, Roth, Gen Xers, Rita Assaf, Assaf Organizations: Fidelity, Finance, Social Security, IRAs

☆ Why the Social Security Administration may want you to update your personal account online
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

To make sure you can continue to access your account, the agency is urging you to log in, particularly if you created your online " my Social Security " account before Sept. 18, 2021. These account holders will soon have to transition to a Login.gov account to access online Social Security services. The average speed to answer those calls was about 36 minutes in the second quarter, according to the Social Security Administration. A confirmation will appear once the account has been successfully linked, allowing access to my Social Security accounts and other services. Some regret the decisionLower inflation points to smaller 2025 Social Security COLALegitimate Social Security web links will always begin with "https://" and end with ".gov/."

Persons: Zers Organizations: Social Security, Social Security Administration, Social, Finance, Security

☆ As inflation cools, estimate for 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment goes down
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The pace of inflation is coming down, which continues to point to a lower Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for retirees and other beneficiaries in 2025. The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, may be 2.7% next year, according to an estimate from Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, based on new government data released on Thursday. In 2024, Social Security beneficiaries received a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment. To be sure, the estimate for the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2025 is subject to change. The Social Security Administration officially determines the cost-of-living adjustment by comparing the third quarter CPI-W data for that year to the third quarter of the previous year.

Persons: Mary Johnson, —, Johnson Organizations: Washington , D.C, Security, Social Security, CPI, Urban, Clerical Workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social, Finance Locations: Washington ,

☆ Medical debt carries less weight on credit reports. But it's still a burden for consumers
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Getty ImagesThe share of people with medical debt in collections that shows up in their credit reports has fallen in the past decade. Colorado had no medical debt in collections in 2023 after it banned credit bureaus from including medical debt on credit reports. The independent government agency estimates the rule would remove up to $49 billion in medical debts from credit reports. "We find that people who have medical debt end up fighting all sorts of other debt," Rae said. About $7 billion in medical debt to be canceledCertain states, cities and counties are canceling about $7 billion in medical debt through the American Rescue Plan Act, federal legislation that was enacted in 2021.

Persons: Breno Braga, Matthew Rae, We've, Rae, Probal Rashid, Lightrocket, Kamala Harris, Stefani Reynolds Organizations: Urban Institute, D.C, Consumers, Urban Institute . West, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Medicare, Washington , D.C, American, White, Eisenhower, AFP, Getty Locations: Washington, Urban Institute . West Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii, Vermont, Washington ,

☆ The pandemic helped increase support for guaranteed income. Then came the backlash
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

While universal basic income provides money to everyone, guaranteed income may provide either targeted or universal support. The organization did not provide comment, but the Foundation for Government Accountability's research lays out the reasons for its opposition to guaranteed income programs. Once they have access to guaranteed income, that often allows them to figure out ways to increase what they earn, she said. "Folks who press arguments about guaranteed income creating dependency aren't looking at the fact that what guaranteed income is actually allowing participants to do is make good choices," Bogle said. 'The status quo isn't working'Many other guaranteed income program participants have seen life-changing improvements, particularly when it comes to their earnings capability.

Persons: Harish Patel, Patel, Austin, Mary Bogle, Bogle, Taniquewa Brewster, Winter Storm Uri, Brewster, Michael Tubbs, Harris, Rodney Ellis, Ken Paxton's Organizations: Economic Security, American, Getty Images, Foundation, Government, Solutions, Foundation for Government, Urban Institute, Austin, Winter Storm, Mayors, Democrats, Republicans, Houston . Houston Chronicle, hearst Newspapers, Getty, Hearst Newspapers Locations: Columbus , Ohio, Getty Images Idaho , Iowa, South Dakota, Arkansas, Austin , Texas, Austin, Harris, Texas, Houston .

☆ Young, wealthy investors turn to alternatives instead of traditional stock and bond investments
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Young, wealthy investors don't want their parents' investments. Nearly one-third of young, wealthy investors' portfolios are in alternative assets like hedge funds, private equity, and crypto and digital assets, according to Mike Pelzar, head of investments at Bank of America Private Bank. Meanwhile, less than half of their portfolios are in traditional stocks and bonds. "The two different cohorts think very differently about what the greatest opportunities are for growth with their investments," Pelzar said. Younger investors' appetite for alternatives isn't expected to let up, with 93% indicating they plan to use more of those investments in the next few years, Bank of America's research found.

Persons: Young, Mike Pelzar, Pelzar Organizations: Bank of America, Bank of America Private Bank, Bank of

☆ Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may be lower in 2025. These charts help show why
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yet one buffer for the effects of inflation — the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, — may be lower next year. As the rate of inflation moderates, the Social Security COLA for 2025 might be 3%, according to the latest estimate from Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst. That estimate is lower than the 3.2% boost to benefits that more than 66 million beneficiaries saw starting in January. It is also substantially lower than the record 8.7% COLA beneficiaries saw in 2023 and the 5.9% COLA that went into effect in 2022 in response to record-high inflation. Because it is still very early in the year, the Social Security COLA estimate may be subject to change.

Persons: Eva, katalin, Mary Johnson Organizations: Getty, Social Security, Urban, Clerical Workers, Social Security Administration

☆ How long you may live is one of retirement planning's biggest unknowns. How experts say to get the best estimate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Nobody really knows, and that uncertainty is uncomfortable," said Lisa Schilling, director of practice research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, the research arm of the Society of Actuaries. Longevity risk measures the likelihood someone may live longer than expected and outlive their savings. The tool asks for basic information on either an individual or a couple: age, sex, retirement age, smoking status and a description of their general health — poor, average or excellent. The results aim to provide a "reasonable" estimate of how long you might live, according to the organizations. Health status affects life expectancy projectionsChronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco use, obesity or Parkinson's disease reduce an individual's projected life expectancy.

Persons: Lisa Schilling, haven't, Schilling Organizations: Istock, Society of Actuaries Research, Society of Actuaries, HealthView Services, Finance, Social Security Workers, of Actuaries, American Academy, Actuaries, American Academy of Actuaries, Social Security, Social

☆ Biden, Trump accuse each other of ruining Social Security, Medicare in first presidential debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic Party presidential candidate U.S. President Joe Biden speak during a presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., June 27, 2024 in a combination photo. The future of Social Security and Medicare may be greatly impacted by whoever occupies the White House following the November election. When asked during Thursday night's presidential debate who is the biggest risk to those programs, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pointed to each other. Biden said Trump wants to "get rid of" Social Security and cut Medicare. Social Security provides monthly income to more than 72 million beneficiaries, including retired and disabled workers and families.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump Organizations: Democratic Party, U.S, Social Security, Social, Alliance for Lifetime, AARP, Biden Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, U.S

☆ Retirement 'super savers' tend to have the biggest 401(k) balances. Here's what they do differently
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A retirement savings crisis is looming for people who have 401(k) plans and other retirement balances woefully short of what they will need to live on. But some workers — called "super savers" — are managing to successfully grow their retirement nest eggs. Super savers are workers who are putting away more than 10% of their salaries toward their retirement plans, according to new research from nonprofit Transamerica Institute and its division Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. The rest, 44%, have reached super saver status — with 15% of workers putting 11% to 15% of their annual pay toward retirement, Transamerica said. Notably, the youngest cohort — Generation Z — has the most super savers, with 53%, followed by millennials and baby boomers, each with 44%, and Generation X, with 40%.

Persons: —, Transamerica, millennials, Ted Jenkin, Jenkin Organizations: Transamerica Institute, Transamerica, Retirement Studies, CNBC, Finance, Social Security Workers Locations: Atlanta

☆ Why inflation is still upending retirement plans even as price growth slows
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lower Social Security COLA forecast for 2025Unlike most other sources of retirement income, Social Security benefits are automatically adjusted for inflation each year. As current retirees continue to feel the pinch of higher costs, slowing inflation points to a lower Social Security cost-of-living adjustment next year. The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may be 3% in 2025, estimates Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare analyst. In contrast, beneficiaries saw a 3.2% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment this year — resulting in an average retirement benefit increase of just over $50 per month. That followed record high Social Security cost-of-living adjustments of 8.7% in 2023 and 5.9% in 2022.

Persons: Caroline Feeney, Feeney, they're, Mary Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Istock, Getty, Prudential's, Prudential, Social Security, Security, Urban, Clerical Workers, CPI

☆ How couples answer one question shows whether they communicate well about money, Cornell research finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Skynesher | E+ | Getty ImagesWhat successful couples do differentlyCouples who say they feel their financial problems are perpetual are more likely to assume they have no solution, according to Cornell's research. Unfortunately, most couples by default tend to view their financial problems as perpetual, and therefore avoid talking about financial issues, Garbinsky said. watch nowCommunication avoidance may also contribute to financial infidelity, where a partner will withhold or hide financial information from their partner. "If you're not talking and if you're hiding things from your partner, it is having negative effects on your relationship quality over time," Garbinsky said. To start to unravel financial conflict, it helps to backtrack and talk about the money memories each partner has and how that shapes their feelings about money now, he said.

Persons: Garbinsky, Jude Boudreaux, Boudreaux Organizations: Partners, CNBC FA Locations: New Orleans

☆ Older voters want candidates who will protect Social Security, poll finds. Yet parties are tied for their support
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Joe Biden and Donald Trump Getty ImagesVoters, ages 50 and up, will have a strong influence on the November election. Meanwhile, for older voters, ages 50 and older, Social Security is a top economic concern, the results found. "Democrats only have a three-point advantage on Social Security right now, so the parties are basically tied," said Jeff Liszt, partner at Impact Research. Many voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who will protect Social Security, he noted. Democrats in Congress have proposed plans to make Social Security benefits more generous, which would be paid for by taking the wealthy.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Fabrizio Ward, Bob Ward, Jeff Liszt, — Organizations: Donald Trump Getty Images, Social, AARP, Social Security, Republicans, Impact, CNBC, Congress

☆ A lack of estate planning contributes to the racial wealth gap in homeownership. How JPMorgan is stepping in to help
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Owning a home can provide a way to build wealth that will transfer from one generation to the next. One such issue, known as heirs' property, happens when homeowners die without a will and informally leave property to multiple descendants. The non-formal ownership may make it difficult to pass on property, access government assistance in the event of a natural disaster and to qualify for property tax relief, according to research from JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan Chase on Tuesday announced it is providing more than $9.6 million in philanthropic commitments to organizations that help preserve homeownership by addressing heirs' property issues, appraisal bias and the undervaluation of homes. Both heirs' property and appraisal bias disproportionately affect communities of color.

Persons: JPMorgan Chase Organizations: D.C, JPMorgan Chase, JPMorgan Locations: Parkland , Florida, Washington

☆ 80% of Americans say grocery costs have notably increased since the pandemic started, survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The rate of price increases for food has subsided in recent months, according to the latest government inflation data. Since the start of the pandemic, grocery prices have risen 25%, the report also found. Additionally, 18% have either applied for or considered applying for food stamps, while 15% rely on or have considered turning to food banks. Yet, 53% indicated they earn too much to qualify for food stamps or other government assistance but still have difficulties paying for necessities. The survey was conducted online by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma, from May 7-13 among 2,011 adults.

Persons: they've, Karma Organizations: Intuit, Qualtrics, Intuit Credit Karma

☆ As Social Security faces looming fund depletion, there's fierce debate over whether a commission can help
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

"A vote for a commission is a vote to cut Social Security," the man shouted before he was escorted off the floor. How the last major reforms, in 1983, came togetherPresident Ronald Reagan signs the Social Security Act Amendment into law on April 20, 1983. The changes involved taxes on Social Security benefits, increases to payroll tax rates, a future increase to the retirement age and a near-term postponement of cost-of-living adjustments. Social Security Commission Chairman Alan Greenspan, left, shakes hands with Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, prior to a Social Security hearing on Feb. 15, 1983. Lawmakers divided on best path forwardToday, lawmakers are divided on the best path forward to address Social Security.

Persons: —, Scott Peters, Peters, Bill Huizenga, Joe Manchin, Mitt Romney, — Rep, John Larson, Connecticut —, It's, " Larson, Larson, Nancy Altman, Ronald Reagan, Alan Greenspan, Greenspan, Jim Baker, Reagan, Tip O'Neill, Robert M, Ball, O'Neill, Sen, Charles Grassley, Bob Dole, John Danforth, Altman, Bruce D, Schobel, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, California —, they're, Hakeem Jeffries, Conn, Brian Higgins, Jimmy Gomez, Jeffries, Dan Kildee, Richard Neal, Tom Williams Organizations: iStock, Social, Social Security, AARP, CNBC, Rep, Democratic, Corbis, National Commission, Social Security Reform, Greenspan, Federal Reserve, House, White, Finance, Economic Policy Institute, Republican, Greenspan Commission, Senate Finance, Bettmann, Getty, Congress, Democratic House, White House, Democrats, Security, Capitol Visitor Center, CQ, Inc Locations: Sens, R, Utah, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, California, D

☆ Workers in certain industries tend to have higher 401(k) balances, Fidelity data shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

To gauge your retirement preparedness, you may compare your 401(k) balance with other savers' progress. But you might find that people in your field are a better comparison point than those in your age group. Recent data from Fidelity finds that 401(k) plan investors on the firm's platform had a $125,900 average 401(k) balance in the first quarter. Fidelity put industry data together so the companies on its 401(k) platform could better understand their employees' savings behavior, according to Mike Shamrell, vice president of thought leadership for workplace investing at Fidelity. "They want to make sure that what they're doing is aligned with the companies that they're competing with for talent," Shamrell said.

Persons: Z, Mike Shamrell, Shamrell Organizations: Fidelity, Finance, Biden

☆ As one Social Security program marks a 50-year anniversary, here's how benefits may change
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Martonaphoto | Moment | Getty ImagesUpdates aimed at improving benefit accessThe Social Security Administration is taking steps to try to reduce some of the restrictions that come with SSI benefits. It is also expanding the rental subsidy policy for SSI applicants and beneficiaries, as well as the definition of a public assistance household. Those changes should allow more people to access and qualify for SSI, O'Malley said. Under current limitations, at work, SSI beneficiaries may not be able to contribute to a 401(k) or earn raises. Individuals who receive both Social Security and SSI benefits may see reductions to their payments.

Persons: O'Malley, Emerson Sprick, Rylin Rodgers, Rodgers, Wendell Primus, Nancy Pelosi, Tracey Gronniger Organizations: Social Security Administration, SSI, Social Security, Center, Microsoft, Brookings, Justice, Aging

☆ Is it a great wealth transfer or retirement savings crisis? It can be both, expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Research has found a great wealth transfer is underway, with research and consulting firm Cerulli Associates estimating an $84 trillion to shift from older to younger generations through 2045. Yet other experts say a retirement savings crisis may be brewing for some who have not set aside enough for their elder years. "That wealth transfer is going to take place on a less-than-widespread basis," Horton said. Those costs — combined with low retirement balances — have prompted some to say there is a retirement savings crisis underway. A majority of Americans — 79% — said there is a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020, a recent survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found.

Persons: Chayce Horton, Horton, There's, that's, — Organizations: Cerulli, Fidelity, National Institute on Retirement Security Locations: U.S

☆ Student loan debt may prevent retirement security for millions of older workers, research finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The data does not include older Americans who have taken on student loan debt on behalf of their children. That includes about 14.9% of workers aged 55 to 64 and 17.3% of workers aged 65 and over, according to the research. The middle 40% of earners — with incomes between $54,600 and $192,000 — owe an average debt of $48,174. For older workers aged 55 to 64, it may take an average of 11 years to pay off their student loans, according to the research. "Older workers do not have decades of future potential work that younger workers have to repay their loans," Manickam said.

Persons: Karthik Manickam, Manickam Organizations: Schwartz, for Economic, New School for Social Research, Federal Reserve, Consumer Finance, Finance, Workers

☆ ‘It’s already highway robbery.’ Why people don’t wait to claim Social Security and what experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

When it comes to claiming Social Security retirement benefits, experts agree it's generally best to delay. Yet many people still claim early — either at the earliest possible age of 62 or before their full retirement age. Those early claims result in reduced Social Security benefits for life. To get 100% of the benefits you've earned, you need to wait until full retirement age — between age 66 and 67, depending on your date of birth. Here's what experts say to the most common arguments for claiming Social Security benefits as soon as possible.

Persons: it's, you've, Warren Buffett's, David Blanchett Organizations: Social, Finance, CNBC, DC Solutions, Prudential Financial

☆ Why groceries are so expensive — and how consumers may start to see relief
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

High inflation is subsiding, but many Americans have yet to see relief from elevated prices at the grocery store. "Grocery prices are up because of good old-fashioned corporate price gouging," Warren said. "And they can gouge consumers on prices because there's only a small number of companies controlling every level of the food chain." "When you spend this kind of money, you're going to have inflation," Kennedy said. "Inflation is coming down, but prices remain elevated," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.

Persons: they've, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren, John Kennedy, Joe Biden, Kennedy, Harris, Mark Hamrick Organizations: Senate, Finance

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