Ivy League architecture at Princeton University. Loop Images | Getty Images At the nation’s top schools, including many in the Ivy League, acceptance rates hover near all-time lows. “College admissions only ever gets more competitive and there’s a lot of stress from families about the stakes and how to get in,” said Thomas Howell, the founder
Personal finance
Jacob Wackerhausen | Istock | Getty Images Starting in 2025, certain heirs with inherited individual retirement accounts must take yearly required withdrawals or face a penalty. But some non-spousal beneficiaries should consider taking distributions sooner, depending on their situation, even if annual withdrawals aren’t required, financial experts explain. “This is about multi-year tax planning” to
Twenty47studio | Moment | Getty Images Millions of Social Security beneficiaries will benefit from the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for 2025, set to take effect in January. With that increase, the maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age will jump to $4,018 per month, up from $3,822 per month this year,
Asiavision | E+ | Getty Images Between higher prices and high interest rates, some Americans have had a hard time keeping up. As a result, many are using more of their available credit and now, nearly 2 in 5 credit cardholders — 37% — have maxed out or come close to maxing out a credit
Americans often splurge on gifts during the holidays. This year, holiday spending from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 is expected to increase to a record total of $979.5 billion to $989 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. Even as credit card debt tops $1.14 trillion, holiday shoppers expect to spend, on average, $1,778, up 8% compared to
Aire Images | Moment | Getty Images Many Americans face a retirement savings shortfall. However, setting aside more money could get easier for some older workers in 2025. Enacted by Congress in 2022, the Secure Act 2.0 ushered in several retirement system improvements, including updates to 401(k) plans, required withdrawals, 529 college savings plans and
Mixetto | E+ | Getty Images The U.S. retirement system doesn’t get high marks relative to other nations. In fact, the U.S. got a C+ grade and ranked No. 29 out of 48 global pension systems in 2024, according to the annual Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, released Tuesday. It analyzed both public and
Urbazon | E+ | Getty Images The tax extension deadline has arrived and there are options if you still can’t pay your balance, tax experts say. About 19 million U.S. taxpayers filed for an extension by the April 15 tax deadline, which bumped the filing due date to Oct. 15. But taxpayers affected by natural
Morsa Images | Getty Buying a home is often the biggest financial decision you’ll ever make. It’s not just about choosing a place to live; it’s about making a long-term investment that will impact your financial future for years to come. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a home, there are certain steps you should
Many colleges are under financial pressure, and the cracks are starting to show. At least 20 colleges closed in 2024, and more are set to shut down after the current academic year, according to the latest tally by Implan, an economic software and analysis company. Altogether, more than 40 colleges have closed since 2020, according to
Former President Donald Trump departs following an address to the Detroit Economic Club on Oct. 10, 2024. Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images Former President Donald Trump proposed a new tax deduction last week for car owners who pay interest on an auto loan, one of many tax breaks he has floated on the presidential campaign
Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Medicare open enrollment for 2025 is set to begin on Tuesday. Beneficiaries have from Oct. 15 until Dec. 7 to evaluate their Medicare coverage options and select new plans for next year. Experts say it’s an important opportunity retirees should not ignore. However, just 30% of people on