How to protect personal information, as data breaches hit a new high
Fertnig | E+ | Getty Images It’s the letter most consumers dread receiving — the notification that your personal information has been involved in a data breach. About 80% of respondents to a new survey said they received at least one data breach notice in the prior 12 months, according to the Identity Theft Resource […]
How to access your IRS online account before tax season opens
D3sign | Moment | Getty Images Read more CNBC personal finance coverage This is one of the ‘most important steps’ before tax season opens, IRS says How tax-efficient investing could boost your portfolio returns in 2026 and beyond For 2026, these new 401(k) details ‘matter more than ever,’ advisor says We’re in a ‘hiring recession,’ […]
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 claim money from ‘Trump accounts’ program
Tech CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan pledged Tuesday to contribute $6.25 billion to so-called Trump accounts, a type of tax-advantaged savings account for children. The commitment will expand access to seed money for eligible children too old to qualify for the $1,000 grants that are set to come from the Department of the Treasury. With the additional funds, […]
How to keep premium tax credits
Andresr | E+ | Getty Images The so-called subsidy cliff for Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums is about to return in 2026. But there are steps households can take to avoid the cliff — and potentially save thousands of dollars on premiums next year, according to financial planners. The subsidy cliff refers to the […]
Make the most of health care expenses before end of year
Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images As health-care costs continue to climb, you may want to make sure you’re not leaving valuable tax breaks or pre-tax dollars on the table this year. Rising premiums, steeper deductibles and higher out-of-pocket maximums have put more pressure on household budgets, making year-end planning important, experts say. Among […]
Mutual fund capital gains payouts are coming. Here’s how to avoid it
Violetastoimenova | E+ | Getty Images LAS VEGAS — As 2025 winds down, many investors are bracing for year-end mutual fund distributions, which can trigger a hefty tax bill for assets held in a taxable brokerage account. But there are strategies to avoid the payout, experts say. For 2025, “you’ve got some pretty eye-watering numbers,” […]
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 […]
Your portfolio may be more tech-heavy than you think
If you own an S&P 500 index fund, artificial intelligence is already a major part of your investment strategy. In recent years, the stock market’s gains have been fueled largely by a small group of tech giants that are aggressively investing in AI. Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Google parent company Alphabet and Amazon — the five […]
Fed may make its first rate cut of 2025: How to benefit
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower its benchmark rate when it meets this week, despite the latest hotter-than-expected inflation data. The market is now pricing in a 96% chance of a 25 basis-point rate cut this month, according to the CME Fedwatch tool. “The betting is currently that the Fed will embark on rate cutting, […]