Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)The promise of Medicare Advantage has always been “more for less” — extra benefits like vision and dental at a lower cost to the government. But according to the latest Joint Economic Committee report, the math is heading in the opposite direction. By exploiting “coding intensity” and risk-adjustment loopholes, private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are now costing the taxpayer 20% more than original Medicare for the same level of care.This fiscal gap doesn’t just impact the federal deficit; the alleged overpayments trigger a mandatory “premium pass-through” that forces those in original Medicare to subsidize the gym memberships…

Just 35% of Americans said they were on track with their retirement savings, according to the 2025 Report on the Economic Well-being of U.S. Households, so it’s no surprise that gold can be an appealing investment. Gold (GC=F) has been valued for centuries, but is all that glitter worth the hype? Gold’s price has skyrocketed in recent years — it’s over $5,000 as of March 2026. Many people are considering putting more of their money into gold rather than other investment options, particularly as they plan for retirement. Although it’s possible to retire comfortably by investing solely in gold, it’s…

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on GoogleSpring is here, and Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is live. We’re seeing discounts of over 60% off across dozens of categories, including outdoor, home, beauty, tech, and more, and competing discounts from other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and Costco. ZDNET reviews the best gear year-round, and we’re here to help you cut through the noise and quickly find the best deals during the spring sale period before it ends.Also: The most popular Amazon Spring Sale deals, according to thousands of readersAs ZDNET’s deals and shopping editor, I am always scouring the web for the…

(Investing) –  could surge to $200 a barrel, pushing U.S. gasoline prices to around $7 a gallon, if the Iran conflict drags on through the end of June and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to shipping traffic, Macquarie strategists warned in a note. These fears were echoed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who warned at an energy conference in Cairo that supply disruptions and rising prices could push oil above $200 per barrel, calling such projections realistic rather than exaggerated. Egypt, which maintains close ties with the U.S. and Gulf states, has condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf Arab…

Link to Report: Macro Volatility DigestWHAT STANDS OUT:The VIX® Index jumped 4.3 pts last week to 31%, ending the week at its highest level since last April’s sell-off. However, there’s been very little panic in the options market. Even when SPX Index fell 3.4% on Thu/Fri, the bid to volatility came from the upside rather than downside as investors positioned for a potential rebound (aka the “TACO Trade”). In fact, SPX put skew and put convexity both declined as investors used the pullback to monetize existing hedges. SPX 1M put skew has now fallen to the 2nd percentile low over…

In dollar terms, there’s $347 billion worth of stale listings in the U.S.,  more than ever before for this time of year. That’s because there are hundreds of thousands more home sellers than buyers, leading to homes sitting on the market.  Stale inventory is most common in Florida, and least common in the Bay Area. Through Redfin’s new partnership with Compass, sellers can work to avoid stale listings by testing the market, which could reduce the risk of homes lingering on the market.  More than half (52.2%) of February’s home listings were on the market for at least 60 days…

Fresh off a successful Series C funding round in November, the South Korean fabless AI chip startup Rebellions has raised an additional $400 million. The latest funding infusion, which comes before a planned IPO later this year, was led by the Mirae Asset Financial Group and the Korea National Growth Fund. It also comes at the same time that the company is engaging in an aggressive expansion effort — with recently announced plans to grow its presence not only in Asia but also in the Middle East and the U.S. Founded in 2020, Rebellions develops and designs AI chips while…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Family offices have long understood that wealth carries responsibility. Across generations, families have sought to make a difference through philanthropy, foundations and charitable giving aimed at improving lives and strengthening communities.But today’s most urgent challenges — health care affordability, climate resilience, educational access, technological inclusion and economic opportunity — require more than donations. They require solutions.And solutions require capital that is patient, committed and willing to take risk.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Ask a teenager what financial worries they have, and the answers come fast: Having enough money to hang out with their friends, affording a car, paying for life after graduation ― whether that’s working or going to college.These aren’t abstract concerns. They shape how young people see themselves, their options and their futures. Financial stress shows up early, and can affect confidence, relationships and long-term opportunity.Yet, most students still graduate without a practical understanding of how to manage money or how to handle the emotions that come with it.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Most people are aware of our country’s well-documented retirement crisis.If you’re of a certain age, you can’t ignore the grim statistics:19 million (45%) older adult households do not have the income needed to cover basic living costs80%, or about 34 million households, would not be able to manage a serious financial shockScariest of all: Low-income older adults die nine years earlier than those with the greatest wealthFor years, the retirement industry has drilled various catchphrases into our collective consciousness: Know your number, the 4% rule, the 120 minus you rule and so on.Article continues below From just…