Donna LeValley

6 days ago | kiplinger.com | Donna LeValley

Knowing how Medicare is evolving and which benefits you can rely on will help you focus on whether Original Medicare or a particular Medicare Advantage plan will serve you best. Medical costs are going up every year and there are a number of factors at work; inflation and medical advancements, such as biosimilars, are helping to drive costs up. According to Fidelity, a 65-year-old retiring in 2024 can expect to spend an average of $165,000 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement.

1 week ago | theepochtimes.com | Donna LeValley

By Donna LeValley From Kiplinger’s Personal FinanceWhat if you no longer want to include someone in your will? Well, how you choose to divide your estate is a personal decision and entirely up to you. There may come a time when you need to update and change the beneficiaries in your will because you no longer want to leave them a bequest or have them inherit anything from your estate.

1 week ago | kiplinger.com | Donna LeValley

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has undergone some significant changes since President Trump took office in January, impacting the nearly 70 million Americans who receive some form of benefits. New rules and policies have been introduced and cutbacks have been made by the Trump administration and DOGE. The changes are intended to update the Social Security system and eliminate waste, but the process of implementing these changes has caused disruption and uncertainty.

2 weeks ago | kiplinger.com | Donna LeValley

Estate planning, though often perceived as complex and confusing, becomes less daunting with increased understanding. While initiating the process may seem overwhelming, a well-executed and thorough estate plan serves as a crucial initial step in safeguarding your family and legacy. What are the essential steps? What truly matters? And what do all those unfamiliar terms signify? To help you navigate this process, I've compiled and clarified 15 estate planning terms you should understand.

2 weeks ago | kiplinger.com | Donna LeValley

The best time to think about your parents' Medicare is when they're healthy. Medical care becomes a bigger part of life as we age and having a Plan B for managing that care is necessary to ensure your parent or loved one gets the care they need. So, suppose a medical event incapacitates them or they are unable to manage their care due to a cumulative decline in their physical and/or mental health. In that case, they will be looked after by a trusted family member or loved one.