Kiplinger's Personal Finance
What’s a Decent ROI on Retirement Time?
IN DOING THE HARD WORK OF WRITING THIS column, I came to frame its evolving concept as: “French Cinema vs. the Trailer Park Boys.” The idea popped into my head during a conversation with my wife, Pam, about how much sense it makes to “invest” in certain activities in semi-retirement.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Time Is Running Out on Social Security Benefits
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS WILL BE CUT automatically in just eight years unless Congress acts to revamp the program's financing.
4 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
THE BEST STOCKS OF THE CENTURY
As we near the 25-year mark, we looked at which stocks have returned the most.
10 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
China: Danger and Opportunity
WHEN I last wrote about China— five years ago, in the midst of COVID—some readers were critical. Why encourage us to invest in an adversary? China has certainly been a bad actor, threatening Taiwan, supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, suppressing dissent, oppressing ethnic and religious groups. But the U.S. is not at war with China, we allow Chinese firms to list on our exchanges, and we encourage Chinese investors to buy U.S. Treasuries (current holdings: $757 billion).
4 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
STAY A STEP AHEAD WITH OUR FAVORITE ETFs
The world of exchange-traded funds is evolving fast. Use our guide to build a lasting portfolio.
10+ min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
What You Need to Know About the New Rules for Student Loans
Whether you're paying off education debt now or planning to borrow in the future, get ready for bigger payments and lower loan limits.
5 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
EXPLORE YOUR ROOTS ON A HERITAGE TRIP
With some research and preparation, you can design a meaningful tour of your family's ancestral home.
8 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Financial Gifts for Grandchildren
IN my most recent column (see “Money Smart Women,” July), I offered advice from readers on creative ways of giving gifts to their grandchildren. As promised, I'm following up this month with ideas from readers who focus on financial gifts to teach their grandkids long-term lessons on saving, investing and managing their money.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Where to Get Foreign Dividends
I'VE long admired the popular Pacer U.S. Cash Cows exchange-traded fund (symbol COWZ). Less well known is that Pacer employs its free cash flow and dividend strategy overseas.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
A GUIDE TO ROTH CONVERSIONS
Moving funds from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth account can help you avoid hefty tax bills. But watch out for costly unintended consequences.
10+ min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
SHOULD YOU TAKE A DNA TEST?
Services such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe and MyHeritage DNA offer DNA testing kits. After you send in a sample of your saliva, the service uses it to analyze your genetic information and compares it to the DNA of other people worldwide. Then you'll get a report detailing the geographic regions where your ancestors may have lived.
1 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL BRINGS BIG CHANGES FOR TAXPAYERS
Older adults and homeowners in high-tax states will benefit, but some energy-saving tax credits will go away.
4 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
HOW TO MANAGE THE COST OF YOUR CHILD'S WEDDING
As the price of getting married soars, footing the bill is becoming a true family affair.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
AS GEN X NEARS RETIREMENT, CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD
Tapping home equity and working longer are key strategies that can help overcome a savings shortfall.
3 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
STOP BEING YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY
A veteran money manager shares common investing errors and how to avoid them.
5 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Where You Can Retire Like a Millionaire
With posh apartments, spas, string quartets and haute cuisine, luxury continuing care communities pamper residents in style
6 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
FIND THE BEST BANK FOR YOU
Don't settle for a bank that no longer fits your needs. Whether you prioritize high yields, low fees, premium services or other features, we have great options for you.
10+ min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
PRESERVING STORIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
StoryCorps has recorded conversations between thousands of people, and anyone can participate.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
STOCKS CAN SURVIVE GEOPOLITICS
GEOPOLITICAL shocks—terrorist acts, wars or military action—can give your portfolio a significant negative charge. The leading geopolitical source of market instability in 2025 has been the Middle East, as in years past. Israel's decision to attack nuclear facilities in Iran in an attempt to retard that country's weaponization efforts prompted a 1.1% drop in the S&P 500 index on June 13.
3 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Money Smart Ways to Give Back
THE Washington Post recently profiled a man from Baltimore County, Md., who spends his free time— actually, pretty much all of his time—retrieving illegally abandoned tires from stagnant creeks and mosquito-infested swamps.
2 min |
September 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
THE FINANCIAL TALK THAT SPOUSES NEED TO HAVE
Women are poised to inherit significant wealth from their husbands. Here's how they can prepare for it.
2 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
What to Do About the Dollar
IF you're like most investors, you have spent little or no time thinking about the dollar. Start worrying. Lately, the dollar has been dropping sharply in value against other currencies.
5 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
CAN AI IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE?
ChatGPT and other artificial-intelligence tools will streamline certain tasks, but don't count on them to get everything right.
4 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
BENEFITS OF A TAXABLE BROKERAGE ACCOUNT
You can supplement your retirement nest egg or save for other goals.
2 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Helping Your Kid Qualify for an Apartment? Proceed With Caution
If you co-sign or guarantee a lease, make sure you understand the risks.
4 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
CHOOSE THE RIGHT RETIREMENT DESTINATION FOR YOU
Cost, culture and climate will all come into play.
10 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
DEALS! DEALS! DEALS!
We have ideas that will help you keep more money in your pocket, from bargain stocks to discounted groceries to summer-vacation savings.
10+ min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
Breakthroughs that help us live longer, healthier lives can also create opportunities for investors.
10+ min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Welcome to the Trading Range
I'LL reiterate my support this month for high-yield bonds and preferred stocks, and I advise readers to make peace with prices that in 2025 swing within a wider-than-usual range. What matters is that these outfits still pay promptly and in full. Buy-and-holders can go fishing, golfing or to the ballpark. And if you want to add to positions on dips, that works, too.
2 min |
August 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
BRINGING NEIGHBORS TOGETHER WITH BOOKS
Through a Little Free Library box, you can share a book you no longer need or take one you'd like to read.
2 min |