Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Written to help you do a better job of managing your personal and family financial affairs and to help you get more for your money. You get ideas on saving, investing, cutting taxes, making major purchases, advancing your career, buying a home, paying for education, health care and travel, plus much, much more. Special issues cover the latest information about car buying (December) and Mutual Funds (March and September).

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The High Cost of Storm Damage

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

HOW LOWER INTEREST RATES AFFECT YOUR FINANCES • The Federal Reserve’s rate cut will provide relief for some borrowers, but savers will have to work harder to get decent returns.

A BULLISH OUTLOOK FOR EMPLOYEES • Companies are expected to offer above-average raises in 2025 to help retain workers.

NEW RULES FOR RETIREMENT SAVING TAKE EFFECT IN 2025 • Many employees will be able to contribute more money to tax-advantaged workplace plans.

DECEMBER 2024

Tracking Down Lost 401(k) Plans

MORE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE DROPPING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

NEW RATINGS OF 529 COLLEGE-SAVINGS PLANS

U.S. Roads Continue to Get Safer

RETIREES WILL RECEIVE A LOWER RAISE IN 2025

DIVIDEND STOCKS ARE READY TO REBOUND • Our favorite dividend payers are poised to benefit as falling interest rates lure investors back.

SHOULD YOU BUY THESE RED-HOT FUNDS? • Covered-call ETFs are popular but come with plenty of caveats.

AT LONG LAST, RATES ARE DROPPING • Consider these portfolio moves now that the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate.

Travel Stocks: Ready to Roll

THIS BOND FUND IS TOTALLY ON TRACK

Rate-Cut Winners and Losers

INDIA STOCKS ARE ON A TEAR

ADD BALLAST WITH A BALANCED FUND

YEAR-END MONEY MOVES TO MAKE NOW • The days are getting shorter, and movie marathons of A Christmas Story have begun. That can mean only one thing: You have just a few weeks to boost your retirement savings, lower your taxes and get the most out your health insurance before 2024 becomes a memory.

TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR BENEFICIARIES OF INHERITED IRAs

ANSWERS TO YOUR 529 PLAN QUESTIONS • Thanks to recent policy changes, families have more options for what to do with money sitting in these tax-advantaged accounts.

Good News for Generous Grandparents

JUMP-START YOUR TEEN’S FINANCIAL FUTURE • KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE

Strategies for Novice Investors

Adding Account Beneficiaries

IS A 55+ COMMUNITY RIGHT FOR YOU? • These age-restricted developments appeal to older adults seeking abundant amenities and an active lifestyle.

RATHER STAY PUT? TIPS FOR AGING IN PLACE

How Confident Are Retirees?

SELLING SHARES? HERE’S HOW TO MINIMIZE TAXES ON YOUR GAINS

A Tax-Smart Way to Lower Child-Care Costs • With a dependent-care FSA, you can set aside pretax funds to cover care expenses.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SPOUSAL IRAS • You typically need earned income to contribute to an individual retirement account, but a spousal IRA provides an important exception to this rule.

THE POWER OF $1,000

BUY SOME PEACE OF MIND

MAKE YOUR HOME SMARTER

FREE HELP FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS • This program’s mentors assist applicants as they fill out the FAFSA, write essays and more.