Student loan forgiveness is taxable again: How to prepare
Songsak Rohprasit | Moment | Getty Images Student loan borrowers whose debt is canceled in 2026 or later may face a significant tax bill. A law that shielded student loan forgiveness from taxation at the federal level — part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 — expired on Dec. 31, 2025. President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful […]
How to create a plan
Even as a record number of Americans are reaching retirement age, many adults have not considered the impact that inflation and Social Security benefits will have on their financial future. A new global survey by Prudential found 89% of wealthy U.S. adults polled said they are confident they’d be able to cover essential costs in […]
How to protect financial assets amid immigration raids, deportations
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a man after conducting a raid at the Cedar Run apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, U.S., Feb. 5, 2025. Kevin Mohatt | Reuters A spate of federal immigration enforcement raids from Los Angeles to New York has sparked demonstrations and rallies around the country, leading to mass arrests and […]
How to spring clean your finances
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s “Money 101 newsletter with Sharon Epperson,” an eight-part series to help you achieve financial freedom, with special monthly editions to continue to improve your financial well-being. Sign up here to receive the newsletters straight to your inbox. Spring is a great time to refresh your finances […]
How to invest in bonds amid falling interest rates
Lucy Lambriex | Stone | Getty Images As the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, investors should review their bond portfolio, which could see a boost from dovish Fed policy. The central bank in September kicked off its first easing campaign in four years with a 50 basis point rate cut, which brought its benchmark rate […]
What ‘No Spend September’ is and how to know if you should participate
Solstock | E+ | Getty Images Victoria Szafarski currently has $10,000 in credit card debt. The New Yorker’s outstanding balance peaked at $25,000 last year, before she took on a second job as a waitress for a few months. The extra cash Szafarski brought in helped her make headway paying down the debt and increase […]
How to ’emotionproof’ your portfolio ahead of the presidential election
Adamkaz | E+ | Getty Images Stock market volatility could increase in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, strategists predict. That’s making some investors more anxious about what the election outcome could mean for their money. In a survey by the American Psychiatric Association this spring, 73% of people said they felt anxious about […]
How to construct your portfolio for maximum income in retirement
Attractive bond yields have been a boon for investors, such as retirees, who want to generate income from their portfolios. Yet, those who want to live off the income generated by their investments — without selling any stocks — may want to reconsider how their portfolio is set up. An efficient portfolio typically focuses on […]
How to reduce health-care costs during Medicare Advantage open enrollment
Andreswd | E+ | Getty Images Certain retirees can now change their health coverage during Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which runs until March 31. Medicare Advantage is health coverage provided through private companies that are paid by Medicare to cover your benefits. If you’re already on a Medicare Advantage plan, you can take advantage of […]
Here’s how to use exchange-traded funds in your portfolio, experts say
Morsa Images | Getty Images Whether you’re a new or a seasoned investor, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are one option for your portfolio, depending on your goals and risk tolerance, experts say. ETFs are a wrapper for individual assets such as stocks and bonds, similar to mutual funds. However, many ETFs have better tax efficiency […]