Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The trust funds used to pay Social Security benefits will be depleted in 2033. After 2034, the program will continue paying benefits, but they will be reduced. Policy changes to payroll taxes and Social Security benefits could ensure the long-term longevity of the program through Gen Z’s retirement. Gen Z can prepare for retirement, with or without Social Security, by maximizing contributions to retirement accounts and creating alternative income streams, such as real estate, annuities, and side hustles. According to a survey by Western & Southern Financial Group, a majority of Generation Z (those born in the years…

Key Takeaways Travel rewards programs make more of an impact on younger travelers, rather than older travelers. Still, anyone can take advantage of travel rewards programs, regardless of age. Travel credit cards give you points or miles for every dollar you spend, which you can use for travel or other rewards. And there’s often a generous welcome bonus when you sign up for a new card. You can optimize your spending by using certain cards, stacking your rewards, maximizing bonus categories, and choosing a card that’s affiliated with an airline. Travel is expensive. Fortunately, a good travel rewards credit card…

If you repeat the talk of an oil glut over and over again, maybe you can make it happen. The International Energy Agency (), in their latest report, rinses and repeats earlier calls for a massive oil glut. The IEA, which famously had to adjust their underreporting of demand numbers for 14 years, are now playing Nostradamus, forecasting a global oil supply surge of 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025—up from their earlier call of 2.5 million bpd. And hold onto your hard hats, because they’re projecting another 2.1 million bpd jump in 2026. Why the flood of oil…

In an attempt to find an explanation for the erratic policy of the Trump administration, people are pointing to the so-called “Mar-a-Lago Accord.” (This short explainer by Torsten Sløk offers one summary.) Although one could imagine that this policy mix is what some members of the White House want, we run into the classic “you can’t get there from here” problem. To the extent the plan would work, it relies upon the world being one of simplified economic models, and the goodwill of other countries.Cargo Cult ConservatismBefore diving into the complexity of the Mar-a-Lago Accord explanation, we might as well…

Are we entering an era of lower real returns? By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The U.S. Treasury on Thursday will auction $19 billion in a reopened 10-year TIPS, CUSIP 91282CNS6. This will be a notable auction because the real yield to maturity is likely to fall to a two-year low, a level not seen at auction since July 2023. CUSIP 91282CNS6 had its originating auction two months ago, on July 24, when its real yield to maturity came in at an attractive 1.985%. The coupon rate was set at 1.875%. But in the last two months, real yields have dipped fairly…

Chen ZhaoChen Zhao is the head of economics research, where she produces research on the housing market for public and internal audiences. Previously, she was an executive director leading housing finance and financial markets research at the JPMorgan Chase Institute. Prior to joining JPMCI, Chen was an economics consultant at Analysis Group, Inc., where she worked on financial litigation cases and led teams conducting health economics and outcomes research on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. While in graduate school, Chen was with the Center for Economic Studies and the Social Economic and Housing Statistics Division at the US Census Bureau, where…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysApple just launched its iPhone 17 Pro. The new model includes some enticing upgrades. I have had the 16 Pro for one year, and might trade it in. While most people choose to wait several years before upgrading their iPhones, that’s a bit more challenging for tech aficionados like myself. I really wanted to hold out on upgrading my daily driver, the iPhone 16 Pro, but after watching the launch event and learning about the newest iPhone 17 Pro release in specs, I am nearly convinced to make the upgrade. Also: Apple iPhone 17…

Key Takeaways Denmark will soon be tied with Libya as having the highest official retirement age, at 70 years old.Other countries with high retirement ages include Australia, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States.Countries with low official retirement ages often have high effective retirement ages, meaning people tend to work until their mid-60s regardless of where they live.While the United States will avoid a raise in the retirement age this year, from 67 years old, the Republican Party has continually proposed this during budget talks. Denmark will soon be tied with Libya to have the highest…

Key Takeaways AI is rapidly automating roles in customer service, data entry, programming, content creation, and analysis-heavy jobs across finance, law, and medicine.The most at-risk jobs are those with repetitive, rules-based, or entry-level tasks. Human-centric skills like judgment, empathy, and creativity remain in demand. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace faster than most people realize. What started with automating back-office tasks and customer service roles has now expanded into programming, legal research, financial analysis, and even creative fields such as writing and design. Experts predict that by 2030, up to 30% of U.S. jobs could…

Key Takeaways Buffett calls self‑development “the best investment by far” because skills can’t be taxed or “inflated away.”The next‑best hedge is to own stock in companies whose products require little new capital but can raise prices at the rate of inflation or even higher.Firms built on royalty-like models or networks often convert revenue to cash without big reinvestments, giving them room to outpace rising costs. Inflation may ebb and flow, but Warren Buffett’s two lessons for fighting it are timeless. Become so good at what you do that people will pay a premium for your skills.Own stock in businesses that don’t…