Retirement & Taxes
Long-term financial planning, retirement accounts, government benefits, tax law, and IRS rules. Covers the intersection of policy and personal finance that affects how people save, invest, and plan ahead.
Latest in Retirement & Taxes
Social Security trust fund may run dry by 2032, CBO projection shows
A worker turning 60 this year could be 66 when Social Security’s reserves hit zero, too young even to reach the program’s full retirement age...
April 15 tax deadline nears as IRS prepares for 164 million returns
The IRS expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns by Wednesday, April 15, a volume that would make this one of the...
What happens to Social Security checks if the trust fund is depleted
Every month, roughly 70 million Americans deposit a Social Security check. For many retirees, that payment covers rent, groceries, and prescriptions with little left over....
Comparing Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and 401(k)s across incomes
A 28-year-old teacher earning $50,000 can stash money away in a Roth IRA, traditional IRA, or workplace 401(k) and choose freely among them. Meanwhile, a...
IRS data: tax refunds total $202B so far, up nearly 13% this season
American households have already collected $202.6 billion in tax refunds this filing season, and the average check is roughly $350 larger than it was a...
The maximum Social Security check in 2026 is $4,152 a month. Here’s what it actually takes to get it
Fewer than one in a hundred American retirees will ever see $4,152 land in their bank account from Social Security. That is the maximum monthly...
Why so many retirees are paying federal tax on Social Security they thought was tax-free
Pull $22,000 a year from Social Security, collect a $19,000 state pension, and withdraw another $15,000 from a traditional IRA to cover property taxes and...
The FIRE movement promised retirement by 45: is it still achievable in 2026?
The FIRE movement, short for Financial Independence, Retire Early, once captured the imagination of millions of savers who believed they could leave the workforce decades...
The states with zero income tax that retirees are flocking to in 2026
For retirees looking to stretch Social Security checks, pension income, and retirement withdrawals, state taxes can make a real difference. Nine states currently levy no...
Got an IRS notice in the mail: what it means and when you should actually worry
Few pieces of mail make people more nervous than an envelope from the IRS. For many taxpayers, the first instinct is to assume the worst....
The red flags most likely to get you audited by the IRS in 2026
The IRS releases an annual warning about tax schemes and compliance risks, but the agency’s broader enforcement guidance reveals something equally important for ordinary filers....
2026 tax brackets: the new standard deduction is $32,200 for married couples filing jointly
The IRS has finalized the inflation-adjusted tax rules that will apply to the 2026 tax year, including a higher standard deduction that will meaningfully reduce...
Here’s How Much You Should Save Each Month To Retire by 65
Planning for retirement is a major financial goal, and knowing how much to save each month can put you in the driver’s seat. This guide...
The IRS is now using AI to flag tax returns in 2026: what triggers a closer look
The IRS has begun applying artificial intelligence to screen millions of tax returns filed in 2026, scoring each one for potential fraud or reporting problems...
Medicare Part B premiums rose to $203 per month in 2026: what changed and who pays more?
Millions of retirees saw a familiar expense climb again this year when Medicare Part B premiums rose to $202.90 per month for 2026. The change...
Social Security’s 2.8% COLA for 2026 adds just $56 a month: is it enough to keep up with costs
The Social Security Administration (SSA) set its 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) at 2.8%, translating to roughly $56 more per month for the average retiree starting...
What $2 million in retirement savings actually pays you each month after taxes
Reaching $2 million in retirement savings is a milestone many Americans work their entire careers to achieve. On paper, it sounds like more than enough...
Using a HELOC in retirement: when it helps your finances and when it can backfire
For retirees, financial surprises rarely disappear just because paychecks stop. Medical bills, home repairs, and market downturns can create sudden cash needs that traditional retirement...
The hidden costs of retirement that catch even well-prepared retirees off guard
Retirement is often imagined as a long stretch of freedom after decades of hard work. Many Americans spend years building savings and carefully planning their...
Small towns across the U.S. are offering retirees cash incentives and tax breaks to relocate
Across the U.S., many smaller cities are facing shrinking populations and aging workforces. To keep local economies strong, some towns have begun actively recruiting retirees...