Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)Planning for a secure retirement isn’t just about saving and investing; it’s also about anticipating how changes in Washington might affect your nest egg. Two major threats to retirees’ finances are tax risk and legislative risk.Tax risk is the chance that you’ll face higher taxes in retirement than you expected, leaving less money in your pocket.Legislative risk is the possibility that Congress could change the rules on retirement accounts, altering what can be taxed, when it’s taxed or how it’s taxed in ways that undermine your carefully laid plans. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance…

Key Takeaways When someone dies, their estate pays outstanding debt. If debts exceed assets, the estate is considered insolvent.Assets with named beneficiaries, like 401(k)s, usually bypass the estate and pass directly to heirs.Heirs may still be responsible for debt they shared, co-signed, or held jointly, including some situations involving spouses. No one wants to worry that they will saddle their relatives with debt after passing away, and yet there is a great deal of confusion about what actually happens to unpaid debts upon an individual’s death. Debt does not automatically disappear—but in many cases, family members won’t be responsible for…

The latest data on the U.S. job market, along with a look at the finances of several top tech, media and pharmaceutical firms, are in store for investors this week. The jobs report for January comes as Federal Reserve officials are closely watching the labor market for signs of weakness. The central bank kept interest rates on hold last week.  Investors will also be focused on earnings from several top tech firms, including Amazon and Google parent Alphabet. Reports from AMD, Qualcomm and Palantir are likely to provide insight into the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Reports from Disney, Uber, Toyota…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Pensions industry myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.The Danish government is putting pressure on the country’s DKr5.5tn (€737bn) pensions industry to invest more in the domestic economy, as some retirement funds reassess their exposure to the US on concerns about its fiscal position and tensions over the future of Greenland.Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s minister for industry, business and financial affairs, told the FT that rising geopolitical tensions mean pension schemes must be more active in supporting the domestic labour market and the development of new technologies, both in Denmark and…

Selling a business in 2026 is absolutely doable, but buyers are typically more careful than they were during “easy money” years. They want clean financials, clear owner separation, and fewer surprises. This guide walks you through the exact process, compares your main selling options, and includes practical checklists you can use right away. Before you talk to buyers, get a realistic valuation range. In 2026, the “right” price is the one a buyer can justify with financing and clean diligence. A strong valuation baseline helps you price confidently and negotiate better terms. Get My Business Valuation Disclosure: This page contains…

Kevin Hassett, the National Economic Council director once considered a clear front-runner to be named the next Federal Reserve chair, said Friday he is fine with continuing in his current role.Fresh off President Donald Trump’s announcement that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh will be the new chair, Hassett told CNBC that he was not disappointed and understands and supports the decision.”I’ve got my dream job,” he said in a “Squawk on the Street” interview. “I think President Trump made a great choice, and I’m really thrilled and humbled by all the kind things he said about me.”In a Truth Social…

Windows 11 comes with its own screen capture app, the Snipping Tool. It’s perfectly serviceable for its purpose, but ShareX is better in just about every way.Like the Snipping Tool, ShareX supports various image capture methods. You can capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a certain region among other areas, as well as record videos. But what makes ShareX so much better is its powerful editing tools. With this set, the app is almost like having a mini-Photoshop at your disposal.Download: ShareXYou can add shapes, text, crop areas, slap on emoji stickers, and blur or pixelate key areas…

(Oil Price) – Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reported on Friday consensus-beating earnings for the fourth quarter as it pledged to boost presence in Venezuela, where it is currently the only U.S. company authorized to operate. Chevron reported today adjusted earnings of $3.0 billion, or $1.52 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2025. While the profit was lower compared to the same period of 2024 – as widely expected due to lower oil prices – Chevron’s earnings beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.42 per share compiled by The Wall Street Journal. Key to Chevron’s better-than-expected earnings was, once again, a record high level of…

Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) is one of the Top 15 Chinese Companies on US Exchanges. On January 20, WSJ reported that Baidu, Inc.’s AI assistant has surpassed 200 million monthly active users. Amid the growing AI competition among Chinese tech giants, Baidu’s flagship AI model Ernie Assistant is integrated into the company’s leading search engine app and on personal computers. Baidu’s AI Models Continues to Expand With Ernie Assistant Surpassing 200 million Monthly Active Users Gil C / Shutterstock.com Ernie Assistant connects with major applications, including JD.com, Meituan, and Trip.com, assisting with tasks such as ordering food, booking flights, offering legal…

Technical pattern suggests Microsoft’s recent correction may be ending if earnings meet expectations. Azure growth and rising capital spending remain the key drivers investors are watching closely. Stock holds key support, with a breakout possible if results trigger renewed buying momentum. share price is showing a pattern that suggests the recent medium-term decline may be coming to an end. For that to happen, the company will need to deliver solid quarterly results, ideally beating market expectations on key numbers. Investors will be watching the performance of Azure and the Intelligent Cloud business most closely. Guidance on capital spending will also…