Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)Qualified retirement planning has entered a new era.While target-date funds have simplified investing for millions of Americans, they fall short on one critical front: income certainty.As retirees live longer and market volatility persists, integrating guaranteed income solutions in the target-date funds of qualified plans is no longer optional — it is essential. 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 FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice…

Turning 65 should be a milestone of freedom, not a source of financial stress. Yet, for millions of Americans, navigating the first step of Medicare — the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) — becomes a confusing high-stakes gamble.The IEP is a critical seven-month window centered on your 65th birthday, and missing it can trigger something far worse than a temporary inconvenience: lifetime late enrollment penalties added to your Part B and Part D premiums, along with costly gaps in coverage.Whether you are ready to retire or plan to keep working, understanding this single, immutable deadline is the first and most important…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For many Americans who moved to Portugal in the past decade, the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program has made living there remarkably tax-efficient.It offered a flat 10% rate on pension income and exemptions on certain foreign-source income for 10 years — long enough for many to settle in and stop thinking much about what comes next.But that 10-year clock runs out surprisingly quickly. 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 FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free…

America’s biggest banks are ending 2025 with their stock prices at record highs, more assets on their balance sheet, and a level of regulatory freedom they haven’t seen in 15 years. In the year ahead, the industry and its top firms plan to turn that momentum into a growth story. Bank of America (BAC), the nation’s second-largest bank, saw its stock hit a record high in December, finally surpassing its pre-crisis peak reached in 2006. Shares of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Wells Fargo (WFC), the nation’s largest and fourth-largest banks, respectively, are trading at record highs. Citigroup’s (C) stock surpassed…

MoEngage, a customer engagement platform used by consumer brands across 75 countries, has raised $180 million in a Series F follow-on round just over a month after securing $100 million, with a majority of the latest funding providing liquidity to investors and employees through secondary transactions. In the latest raise, about $123 million was secondary, including a $15 million employee tender that provided liquidity to 259 current and former employees, while the remaining $57 million was raised as primary capital and went into the business. The round was led by ChrysCapital and Dragon Funds, with participation from Schroders Capital and…

key takeaways Rising costs make traditional milestones like homes, kids, and cars harder for middle-income families to reach.Geography now defines middle-class life as much as income does.Shrinking middle class numbers reveal deeper shifts in how Americans define stability.Budgeting realistically, diversifying income, and controlling lifestyle inflation are keys to financial stability today. If starting a family, buying a house, or just thinking about purchasing a car feels impossible—you’re definitely not alone. What used to define “middle class” feels further out of reach for Millennials and Gen Z than ever before. Rising costs, stagnant wages, and where you live all play huge…

(World Oil)– Seadrill has announced a series of new contract awards in the U.S. Gulf of America/Mexico and offshore Angola, strengthening its backlog into 2026 and early 2027. In the U.S. Gulf, Seadrill’s West Neptune drillship was awarded a four-month contract by LLOG Exploration. The program is scheduled to begin immediately following the rig’s current campaign and is expected to add approximately $48 million to Seadrill’s contract backlog. Also in the Gulf, the Sevan Louisiana received a two-month contract from an undisclosed operator. The work will commence in direct continuation of its current contract with Walter Oil and Gas, avoiding…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The median student loan borrower has cut $1,590 out of their typical yearly spending since student loan repayments resumed in 2023.The majority of borrowers have been able to manage the hit to their budget. But more borrowers are behind on their payments than usual. Student loan borrowers are cutting back spending in order to restart loan payments, according to data released in 2025. Most are successfully managing their loans, but more borrowers than usual are struggling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education paused all student loan payments. When payments restarted in October 2023, according to research…

Key Takeaways Central banks, a nervy macro backdrop, and a weaker dollar have driven gold’s latest surge.Despite its reputation, gold isn’t inherently “safe”—historically it has often been more volatile than U.S. stocks, and past spikes were followed by long periods of weak returns.Gold doesn’t generate income, so it can preserve value but doesn’t compound wealth like productive assets.Owning gold is not essential, and any exposure should be minimal if you insist on owning it. Gold is going for more than $4,000 an ounce. It’s one of the stories of the year, and what makes it unusual is that stocks are…

Key Takeaways Kraft Heinz is overhauling leadership as it moves toward a planned breakup, appointing former Kellanova chief Steve Cahillane to lead Global Taste Elevation Co.The food and beverage company is launching a CEO search for its North American Grocery Co. spinoff. Kraft Heinz (KHC) is changing its recipe for leadership ahead of a planned split next year. The food and beverage giant on Tuesday said Steve Cahillane will become its CEO, effective Jan. 1. Cahillane, who was Kellanova’s chief executive until its recent acquisition by Mars, also will join its board and serve as CEO of “Global Taste Elevation Co.”…