Author: Elizabeth Blessing
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Extra Help With Drug Costs: Medicare’s Quiet Program
Medicare’s Extra Help program pays Part D premiums and caps drug copays for people with limited income, and it expanded in 2024. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
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State Rebates for Efficient Appliances: How to Claim Yours
Federal money for energy-efficient appliances flows through the states, and the rules differ everywhere. Here is how to find out what your state offers.
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That Call From Social Security Is Probably a Scam
Social Security impostor scams cost Americans millions. The agency almost never calls to threaten you. Here are the red flags and what to do.
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Survivor Benefits: What Social Security Pays After a Death
When a worker dies, Social Security can pay benefits to a surviving spouse, children, and even parents. Here is who qualifies and how much they receive.
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Payable on Death: The Bank Form That Skips Probate
A payable-on-death designation sends your bank money straight to a named beneficiary and can raise FDIC coverage to $250,000 per beneficiary. How it works.
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Before You Sign a Severance Deal, Know These Rules
A severance agreement usually asks you to give up your right to sue. Federal law gives some workers time to consider and revoke. Here is what to know first.
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The Average Tax Refund This Year, by the Numbers
The average federal tax refund reached $3,275 through mid-April, up 11.3% from last year. Here’s what drove the jump and what a big refund really means.
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New I Bond Rate Takes Effect May 1: Worth Buying Now?
I bonds bought May through October 2026 earn 4.26% for six months, with a 0.90% fixed rate for life. Here’s how the rate works and who should buy.
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The Toll Text Scam: Why Your Phone Keeps Buzzing
Those “unpaid toll” texts are a mass phishing operation, not a bill. How the smishing scam works, why it won’t stop, and what to do if you clicked.
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Renters Insurance: What $15 a Month Actually Buys
The average renters policy costs about $14 a month by NAIC data, and covers far more than furniture. What it pays for, what it won’t, and how to buy it.
