Personal finance

Hartford, Connecticut Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images When it comes to improving access to higher education, each state is largely left to its own devices. Some are trying a broader array of tactics than others. Connecticut, for example, recently rolled out several programs to establish pathways to college and lower the debt burden.

Buy now, pay later options are seemingly everywhere lately. But there’s one place they’re notable absent: your credit report. Up until now, installment payments have largely gone undetected, primarily because most lenders don’t report their customers’ loan information and payment history to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. That has made buy

Tim Robberts | Stone | Getty Images There’s good news for at least some of the student loan borrowers who missed the April 30 deadline to qualify for quicker debt forgiveness: They may still be eligible for other relief options. Borrowers with multiple student loans who requested a so-called loan consolidation by the end of April 30

Director of the National Economic Council Lael Brainard speaks at the White House January 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer | Getty Images President Joe Biden‘s top economic advisor on Friday laid out plans for the country’s looming debate over trillions in expiring tax breaks enacted by former President Donald Trump. Several provisions from

A City College of New York graduate takes a selfie during the commencement ceremony. Mike Segar | Reuters Newly minted college graduates should feel pretty good about their job prospects. The U.S. economy just notched another month of job gains, and although the unemployment rate edged up to 3.9%, “the streak below 4% has continued

Andresr | E+ | Getty Images There is $1 billion in unclaimed 2020 tax refunds up for grabs — but the last chance to file returns and collect the money is approaching. Nearly 940,000 taxpayers have until May 17 to file 2020 returns and claim their refund, the IRS said in a “final reminder” this

Geber86 | E+ | Getty Images The IRS has unveiled the 2025 contribution limits for health savings accounts, which are triple-tax advantaged for medical expenses. The new HSA contribution limit for 2025 will be $4,300 for self-only health coverage, up from $4,150 in 2024, based on inflation adjustments, the IRS announced Thursday. The contribution limit

Shapecharge | E+ | Getty Images Contemplating your death may not warrant a spot at the top of your priority list — but writing your will does. About a third, 34%, of people have a will, according to a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. The survey polled 3,047 respondents ages

Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images It may soon be more expensive to borrow federal student loans. The government sets interest rates on its education loans once a year. The rate, which runs from July 1 to June 30 the following year, is based in part on the May auction of the 10-year Treasury

US President Joe Biden gestures after speaking about student loan debt relief at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin, April 8, 2024.  Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images President Joe Biden hopes to start forgiving the student loans of millions of Americans before the November presidential election. But first his administration will need

In this article TREE Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT monkeybusinessimages | Getty Most U.S. homebuyers taking out a mortgage opt for a 30-year fixed-rate — but they may not realize how unusual that offering is. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a uniquely American construct,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate. True to

The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images More Americans are paying capital gains taxes on home sale profits amid soaring property values — but there are ways to reduce your bill, experts say. In 2023, nearly 8% of U.S. home sales yielded profits exceeding $500,000, compared to about 3% in 2019, according to an

NYPD officers in riot gear enter Columbia University’s encampment as they evict a building that had been barricaded by pro-Palestinian student protesters in Los Angeles, United States on April 30, 2024.  Shay Horse | Nurphoto | Getty Images Some college students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza have faced disciplinary action in recent weeks, with universities

Laylabird | E+ | Getty Images Inherited individual retirement accounts can be a financial boost for heirs, but the windfall can trigger tax issues, experts say. Withdrawals from pretax inherited IRAs incur regular income taxes. Since 2020, certain heirs can no longer “stretch” retirement account distributions over their lifetime to reduce yearly taxes. Now, certain

People leave a Social Security Administration building in Burbank, California.  Valerie Macon | Afp | Getty Images The trust funds the Social Security Administration relies on to pay benefits are now projected to run out in 2035, one year later than previously projected, according to the annual trustees’ report released on Monday. At the projected

Spending more to save more is an all-too common pitfall. The opportunities for so-called “spaving” are nearly everywhere, whether it’s the lure of a “limited-time deal” or “buy one, get one free” or tacking on additional items to get a bigger discount or simply to reach the free shipping threshold. But spending to save can lead

Rebekah Alstede Modery, left, and Sarah Alstede, sisters and co-owners of Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey. Courtesy: Alstede Farms Sisters Rebekah Alstede Modery and Sarah Alstede were raised on a New Jersey farm. This year, they decided to spend their careers there, too. Rebekah graduated in 2023 with a double major in agricultural business

The US Department of Education sign hangs over the entrance to the federal building housing the agency’s headquarters on February 9, 2024, in Washington, DC.  J. David Ake | Getty Images If your current federal student loan servicer is Mohela, or the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, the U.S. Department of Education said it will

Prasit photo | Moment | Getty Images As employers compete to attract and retain talent, equity compensation — or an ownership stake in the company — has become a key workplace benefit. Some 72% of companies offer some form of equity compensation to certain employees, a 2023 survey from Morgan Stanley found. That’s up from

JGI/Jamie Grill If you’ve opted into your employer’s matching 401(k) Roth contributions this year, it could trigger a tax surprise without proper planning, experts say.  Enacted in 2022, Secure 2.0 ushered in sweeping changes for retirement savers, including the option for employers to offer 401(k) matches in Roth accounts. These accounts are after-tax, meaning employees