T/personal-finance

  1. Should You Really Wait Till 70 to Take Social Security? Business, December 7

    The standard advice is to hold off, but most retirees claim the benefit as soon as they can, at age 62. Here’s what to know when you’re planning the unplannable.

  2. Giving Money Directly to Children Is an Idea the Right and Left Could Love Business, December 6

    Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion donation to child savings accounts fits a trend: giving with no strings attached. In some ways, it’s a bipartisan philosophy.

  3. The Markets Are Temperamental. Understand Your Risks. Business, December 5

    Shifting expectations of a Fed rate cut reflect underlying uncertainty about politics and the economy. Here are some essentials for managing risk in investing.

  4. Savings Accounts for Disabled People Are Expanding. Do You Qualify? Your Money, December 5

    Starting next year, people who became disabled by age 46 will be eligible to open ABLE accounts. The accounts have been slow to catch on, partly because the current age limit is 26.

  5. Medicare Scammers Are Calling Seniors 50 Times a Day, Trying to Trap Them Business, December 5

    Complaints about the calls have risen, and some older Americans have discovered that their Medicare accounts were already compromised.

  6. Questions and Answers About the ‘Trump Accounts’ for Children the Dells Are Supporting Business, December 2

    Next year, Michael and Susan Dell plan to move $250 into the new Trump accounts of millions of children under 10. You’ll need to live in the right ZIP code.

  7. Shoppers, Drawn by Steep Discounts, Power Through Black Friday Business, November 29

    Data on spending this week shows that consumers are shopping big for the holidays despite inflation and economic worries.

  8. Meet the Millionaire Masters of Early Decision at Colleges Business, November 29

    The enrollment chiefs at Tulane and the University of Chicago attracted many early applicants. Now both of them earn a lot of money.

  9. Las ofertas irresistibles los endeudaron. Ahora intentan controlar sus gastos excesivos En español, November 28

    Las fechas de rebajas como el Black Friday, la comodidad de comprar con un clic y los préstamos “compra ahora y paga después” están facilitando que la gente compre —y compre y compre— durante las fiestas.

  10. A Fascinating Tale, Unearthed at a Sidewalk Sale Times Insider, November 28

    After a crowded stoop sale on a Brooklyn block caught one reporter’s eye, he traced the items to Georgia — and an elusive figure known as Miss Paula.

  11. Irresistible Deals Put Them in Debt. Now They’re Trying to Manage Their Overspending. Business, November 27

    The convenience of one-click purchases and “buy now, pay later” loans is making it easier for people to shop — and shop and shop — during the holidays.

  12. Gen X-ers Have Money to Spend. Why Are Retailers Ignoring Them? Business, November 27

    Three in four Americans ages 45 to 60 say they expect to overspend for the holidays. They’re “sort of like the glue within the consumer spectrum.”

  13. Their Kids Had Questions About Wealth Inequality. How Did They Respond? Business, November 23

    Some parents turn to books or family movie nights to facilitate discussions. But they admit they don’t have all the answers.

  14. How Spouses Retiring on Different Schedules Can Avoid Money Clashes Business, November 22

    Too many couples have “undiscussed assumptions” about how they’ll live and spend once they leave the work force, experts say.

  15. What to Know About the Nearly 10% Climb in a Key Medicare Expense for 2026 Business, November 22

    The rapidly rising premium for Part B, which covers retirees’ outpatient services, reflects the fast pace of growth for health care costs nationally.

  16. Buying a House Is Expensive. But There Are Some Ways to Rein In Costs. Your Money, November 21

    The Trump administration has proposed 50-year and “portable” mortgages to make home buying more affordable. But housing experts offer other suggestions.

  17. There’s a Better Way for Couples to Talk About Money Podcasts, November 19

    Ramit Sethi, a personal finance author and coach, offers four lessons to help you stop arguing about money in your relationship and start living a “rich life” together.

  18. A Family Borrowed $218,000 and Paid Back $240,000. Why Are They Facing Foreclosure? Your Money, November 16

    Predatory lenders often take part in schemes that enable them to circumvent state lending laws and charge borrowers sky-high interest rates.

  19. They Rushed to Buy Homes During the Pandemic. Now, Some Feel Trapped. Business, November 16

    Many Americans bought their first houses when mortgage rates dipped to record lows. Some are ready to move but feel locked in by their low rates.

  20. How to Deal With Higher Home Heating Bills Your Money, November 14

    There is still time to take advantage of federal tax credits for energy updates. But federal heating aid for low-income people was delayed by the government shutdown.

  21. The Most Valuable Military Contractor Doesn’t Make Bombs or Guns Business, November 14

    Palantir is a software company, and its national security work has driven its stock price to remarkable heights.

  22. The Fed Is Stuck Fighting the Last War Sunday Business, December 13

    Mired in a battle to contain surging prices, the central bank also needs to be nimble enough for the economic downturns to come, our columnist says.

  23. Thousands Are Eligible for Tax Refunds From 2020 Business, April 19

    The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their returns for that year are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

  24. Trump or Biden? The Stock Market Doesn’t Care. Sunday Business, April 12

    Prediction markets say former President Donald J. Trump has a good chance of winning. So far, the stock market is fine with that.

  25. More States Now Require Financial Literacy Classes in High Schools Business, December 1

    The surge in offerings is a response to the pandemic, which revealed glaring income inequality, as well as inflation and the resumption of student loan payments, an expert said.

  26. Look at the Stocks Leading the Market Now Sunday Business, July 7

    Devastated at the height of the pandemic, cruise lines have become top performers.

  27. Student Loan Pause Is Ending, With Consequences for Economy Business, June 21

    Three years of relief from payments on $1.6 trillion in student debt allowed for other borrowing and spending — and will shift into reverse.

  28. It’s Not Just the Debt Ceiling Sunday Business, May 26

    A host of issues face the markets, beyond the prospect of a possible default on U.S. debt. Hedge your bets and ride it out, our columnist says.

  29. Forgot to File Your 2019 Taxes? You Still Can if You Want Your Refund. Business, April 28

    The forms were originally due in the early days of the pandemic. The I.R.S. estimates that 1.5 million people are owed money, but they must file by July 17.

  30. Funeral Homes Don’t Have to List Prices Online. That May Change. Business, April 14

    The rule on price disclosure was written before widespread use of the internet. Regulators are considering an update.

  31. Britain Wants Its Early Retirees Back, but Their Days Are ‘Never Boring’ Business, March 14

    The country’s work force is smaller than it was before the pandemic, sapping economic potential. The government is going to try luring more people off the sidelines.

  32. I Spent Two Years Revenge Spending. It Was Hard to Stop. Sunday Business, March 2

    The pandemic gave consumers an excuse to spend more to make up for lost time. Those who went overboard are trying to reverse course.

  33. At German Christmas Markets, Smiles Shine Bright but Budgets Are Tight Foreign, December 23

    In Nuremberg, the stalls are open without Covid restrictions, and big crowds are returning to sip mulled wine and socialize. But amid economic uncertainty, visitors are spending less.

  34. Their Budgets Flush, Many States Are Sending Checks to Residents Business, November 18

    Up to 20 are using some of their budget surpluses to help taxpayers deal with high inflation. But some economists worry that the payments could fuel inflation.

  35. Deadlines for Using Up Flexible Spending Accounts Return Business, September 16

    Relaxed rules during the pandemic let workers carry over more of the pretax money, which must be spent on health costs or forfeited, but they’re expiring.

  36. I.R.S. to Refund Late-Filing Penalties for 2019 and 2020 Returns Business, September 9

    But to be eligible for the relief, taxpayers have to file the returns by Sept. 30. The agency says the average refund will be $750.

  37. This Is Going to Hurt Sunday Business, June 17

    Inflation is expected to remain high later this year even as the economy slows and layoffs rise. Already, signs of financial stress are surfacing.