In the movie “Thelma,” a 93-year-old grandmother falls victim to a scam call from someone pretending to be her grandson in distress. While this story was dramatized for Hollywood, the threat of such scams is real and pervasive. Last year, imposter fraud resulted in losses of nearly $2.7 billion, according to the U.S. Federal Trade
Personal
Romance scams have become a growing concern in the world of cyber security, with cybercriminals preying on individuals’ emotions to gain access to their wealth accounts. Tracy Kitten, the director of fraud and security at Javelin Strategy & Research, explains that these scams involve building a relationship of trust with the victim, ultimately leading to
It is a common misconception among retirees to overlook the impact of taxes on their retirement savings until it is time to withdraw funds from their pretax accounts. According to a study by Northwestern Mutual, only 3 in 10 Americans have a concrete plan to reduce taxes on their retirement savings. This can be a
In recent years, the Federal Reserve’s efforts to combat high inflation by keeping interest rates high have led to a situation where investors can earn 5% annual percentage yields on savings accounts and other low-risk investments. This has created a sense of security and comfort among investors, especially younger ones with a longer time horizon
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) have been growing steadily in recent years, with the median balance reaching $87,000 in 2022. This increase in IRA balances can lead to potential tax issues for retirees or their children who inherit the assets. Experts have pointed out that higher pretax IRA balances can become a “tax nightmare in retirement,”
In a year filled with challenges for college applicants, the significance of financial aid in the decision-making process cannot be overstated. The amount of financial aid offered and the distribution among grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans have always been key factors in selecting a college. However, in 2024, the issues with the new
The unemployment rate has been relatively low, sitting at or below 4% for an extended period. However, this does not mean that everyone who desires a job has been able to secure one. A segment of individuals known as “NEETs” (not in employment, education, or training) have opted out of the labor force due to
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS recently unveiled final tax reporting rules for digital asset brokers, marking a significant development in the world of cryptocurrency taxation. With mandatory reporting scheduled to be phased in starting in 2026, crypto investors are facing a limited timeframe to prepare for these changes. Under the new regulations,
Recently, a federal appeals court made a significant decision regarding President Joe Biden’s student loan relief plan. The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals granted the Biden administration’s request to stay an order that had temporarily blocked a provision of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. This ruling has been seen as a
In recent years, the U.S. stock market has seen a significant shift towards concentration, with just a handful of companies dominating the market. According to a recent analysis by Morgan Stanley, the top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 accounted for 27% of the index at the end of 2023, nearly double the 14% share