Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania are considered to be the most tax-friendly states for retirees.Thirty-eight states don’t tax Social Security income.Thirty-seven states don’t tax most military retirement pay.Fifteen states exempt pension income from state taxes.Nine states have no income tax at all. After a lifetime of contributing to Social Security, building up a retirement plan, or earning a pension, you may be bracing for a big tax hit in retirement. Now you’re ready to punch your last time card and your state has its hand out for some tax dollars as well. Or does it? While federal taxes…

CO-HOST: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business CO-HOST: Andrew Giovinazzi, The Option Pit GUEST: Bill Luby, @VIXandMore On this episode, the discussion revolves around the recent spike in volatility and its implications for traders. They also explore AI’s role in market valuation, with differing opinions on its long-term impact. Other highlights include analysis of the VIX term structure, the surge in VIX futures trading, and notable VIX options trades. Additionally, Bill Luby shares insights into trading VXX, and listeners get the latest updates on other popular volatility ETPs. The episode concludes with the panelists’ predictions for VIX levels…

Stock futures are down slightly Tuesday as the market takes a breather after kicking off the week with a big rally. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq were down 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, in recent trading, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures hovered near unchanged. The major indexes closed sharply higher on Monday led by huge gains for technology stocks—the Nasdaq gained 2.3%—as investors responded to developments in Washington D.C. over the weekend that indicated the federal government shutdown could end soon. Late Monday, the Senate narrowly approved legislation to fund the government and end the…

Key Takeaways The immigrant workforce is still growing faster than native-born population, despite a crackdown on the border and mass deportations, according to private-sector data.The decline of immigrant workers in official statistics may reflect the population’s fear of answering government surveys.Revelio Labs analyzed profiles of workers on Linkedin and other job sites, determining whether people were immigrants based on where their first job was, where they went to school, and what languages they spoke. Immigration may be down, but it’s still powering the growth of the U.S. workforce, according to data from the private sector.Despite President Donald Trump’s crackdown on…

In late 2004, my partners and I found ourselves at both a crossroads and a kitchen table.As independent advisers, we felt there was a gap in the industry — the essential support needed to truly thrive was missing. We spent countless nights huddled in my kitchen, mapping out a vision for a support system built by advisers for advisers. That vision became Advisors Excel.Our journey from a basement office to an industry leader offers a blueprint not just for building a model independent marketing organization (IMO), but for building any successful advisory practice. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

It’s been nearly a decade since the last major overhaul of the U.S. tax code, and as 2026 approaches, advisers are preparing for what may be one of the most consequential resets in recent memory.News has been circulating for months about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) since it was signed in July, but now is the time when many of its implications are beginning to take shape as we head toward their effective date in 2026.The OBBB has replaced uncertainty with permanence, locking in lower individual income tax rates, expanding deductions for business owners and solidifying estate exemptions…

Today’s story will be of special interest to people who have some of the most difficult and often highly frustrating jobs — restaurant servers.When a customer orders “fish and chips,” what should be on the plate?The answer for most people: enticing pieces of battered fish filets and French fries, right? From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with…

I recently received a shock when I went to the dentist for my six-month checkup. Not because I had a mouthful of cavities or needed another root canal. (I floss!) The unpleasant surprise occurred when it came time to pay the bill. This was my first appointment since I retired and lost my employer-provided health insurance, and I was on the hook for the entire cost.As I mentioned in an earlier column, I opted for original Medicare and a Medigap plan when I retired. I made this decision because with a Medicare Advantage plan, I would have been limited to…

You work to earn a paycheck, and one of the scariest things about retirement is that you stop collecting one. But you don’t have to with the ‘Pay Yourself’ rule of retirement spending, and it doesn’t mean buying a complicated annuity or relying on Social Security and a pension for that recurring biweekly or monthly income.With this rule of retirement spending, you get paid automatically as if you’re working, so you can go about the business of enjoying your newfound freedom.“Setting up a regular paycheck for yourself smooths the flow of income,” says Jennifer Scher, Certified Financial Planner at FBB…

Key Takeaways Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices is set to hold its first analyst day event tomorrow.CEO Lisa Su could offer more details on the company’s AI roadmap at the event. Traders may be watching for updated financial targets from Advanced Micro Devices as it hosts an investor day, its first, later today. AMD’s (AMD) shares climbed Monday ahead of the event, which some analysts have suggested could be a positive catalyst for the chipmaker’s stock. The shares added about 5% to close near $244 as broader markets gained amid optimism Congress could be nearing a deal to end the U.S.…