Financial Insights — Thursday, October 30, 2025

Kiplinger

## Grant Cardone Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can Make The entrepreneur, real estate investor and motivational speaker tells us why people should never stop working. ## October Fed Meeting: Live Updates and Commentary ## Why You Should Get Whole Life Insurance After the Fed Meeting ## Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2025 and 2026: How Much Will You Get?Tax Credits ## The 10 Most Costly Social Security Mistakes to Avoid ## Is a 55+ Community Right For You? ## I Have $150,000 That I Don't Need Anytime Soon, But I Don't Want to Put it in the Market. What Should I Do? Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up. ## Investing ## Earnings Calendar and Analysis for This Week stocks Check out our earnings calendar for this week, as well as our previews and recaps of the more noteworthy reports. ## The Best Mid-Cap Stocks to Buy The best mid-cap stocks are the market's so-called "sweet spot," offering up an ideal combination of financial stability and growth potential. By Kyle Woodley Last updated... ## Meet Kiplinger's Experts ## Taxes ## The Original Property Tax Hack: Avoiding The ‘Window Tax’ Property Taxes Here’s how homeowners can challenge their home assessment and potentially reduce their property taxes — with a little lesson from history. ## Social Security Tax Limit Rises Again: Who Pays More in 2026? Payroll Taxes The Social Security Administration has announced significant changes affecting millions as we approach a new year. By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated ## Trump’s 2025 Tax Bill: What’s Changing and How It Affects Your Taxes Tax Law From standard deduction amounts to tax brackets and Medicaid cuts, here’s what individual filers need to know about tax changes in Trump's so called "big beautiful bill." By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated ## Three Creative Ways to Lower Your Retirement Taxes Tax Tips You can apply key minimalism concepts for potential tax savings. Here’s how. By Kate Schubel Last updated ## Retirement ## November Social Security Payment Schedule: When Is Your Check Arriving? The date your November Social Security benefit arrives depends on the day of the month you were born. ## Manage an Inheritance Like a Pro in Just Seven Steps inheritance How you handle an inheritance is key. A bequest could change your life, but don’t quit your day job. By Sandra Block Last updated... ## 10 Reasons to Leave Your Heirs a Roth IRA Including a Roth IRA in your estate plan has clear tax advantages, which can be passed along to your heirs for years to come. But if passed down incorrectly, your heirs won’t reap the full benefits. By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## I Retired at 60 Two Years Ago With $3.1 Million. My 62-Year-Old Wife Still Works Because She Wants to, but She Resents My Free Time. Help! We asked a psychologist and a mediation expert for advice. By Maurie Backman Published ## Real Estate ## My Mortgage Rate is 6.5%. Should I Refinance If Rates Fall By Half a Point A half-point dip may not be enough to offset closing costs. Here's the magic number that makes refinancing pay off. ## With Mortgage Rates Dipping, Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? Now that the Fed has started cutting rates, is it a good time to think about getting back into the market? By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates? The Fed just cut rates, so mortgage refinance rates will be cheaper. Should you act now, or wait? By Donna LeValley Last updated

Source: kiplinger.com · Oct 30, 2025

Some experts highlight common retirement missteps, particularly related to Social Security timing, which can greatly impact your benefits. As you near retirement, it's crucial to carefully consider when to claim your Social Security, as delaying can increase your monthly payout. Also, focusing on de-risking your portfolio and planning for healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in at 65 will help ensure a smoother transition into retirement—despite any market ups and downs you might encounter along the way.

News | Kiplinger

# news ## Latest ## Stocks Sink with Meta, Microsoft: Stock Market Today Alphabet was a bright light among the Magnificent 7 stocks today after the Google parent's quarterly revenue topped $100 billion for the first time. ## After the Fed Meeting, 7 High-Yield Savings Accounts Worth Your While The Fed cut rates again at its October meeting. While it lowers APYs on savings accounts, these high-yield options still provide excellent returns. By Sean Jackson Last updated ## 10 Reasons to Leave Your Heirs a Roth IRA Including a Roth IRA in your estate plan has clear tax advantages, which can be passed along to your heirs for years to come. But if passed down incorrectly, your heirs won’t reap the full benefits. By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## Is Mint Mobile's Home Internet a Game-Changer or Just Another Option? Mint Mobile recently unveiled its new home internet service. We break down how it works so you can determine if it's a great value for your needs. By Sean Jackson Published ## How to Add Your Driver’s License or State ID to Google Wallet Store and use your digital ID securely on your Android device for TSA, age verification and more. By Laura Gariepy Published ## Social Security Tax Limit Rises Again: Who Pays More in 2026? Payroll Taxes The Social Security Administration has announced significant changes affecting millions as we approach a new year. By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated... ## Why You Should Get Whole Life Insurance After the Fed Meeting Now is a good time to diversify your retirement portfolio with a whole life insurance policy. By Rachael Green Last updated ## Why a 5-year CD is Your Best Bet After the Fed Meeting Despite the rate cut at the Fed meeting in October, you still have time to lock in historically high interest rates with a 5-year CD. By Rachael Green Last updated ## With Mortgage Rates Dipping, Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? Now that the Fed has started cutting rates, is it a good time to think about getting back into the market? By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## With the Fed Rate Cut, Should You Sell Your House Now or Wait? The Fed cut rates at its September meeting for the first time in four years, with more on the way. Is it time to think about selling your house? By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## $425 Million Google Class Action Lawsuit: Do You Qualify for a Payout? Google was found liable for violating the privacy of 98 million users in a class action lawsuit. Are you one of them? By Rachael Green Last updated ## I'm a Government Employee and Need to Get By Until the Shutdown Ends. What Can I Do? The second-longest shutdown in history is leaving many federal workers with bills due and no paycheck to cover them. Here's what you can do to get by. By Rachael Green Published... ## How Does the 10-Year Treasury Yield Affect Mortgage Rates? Where the 10-year Treasury yield goes, so do mortgage rates. Learn why they're connected and how it impacts homebuyers. By Sean Jackson Last updated ## Stocks Hit Fresh Highs Ahead of the Fed As Earnings Pump Optimism: Stock Market Today SHW and UNH were two of the best Dow Jones stocks Tuesday, thanks to solid earnings reports, and MSFT closed with a $4 trillion market cap. By Karee Venema Published ## Want the Maximum Social Security Check in 2026? Here's What You Need to Do Now As 2025 winds down, the maximum Social Security check sits at $5,108. Want the top-tier payout in 2026 — or at least the biggest check possible down the line? Act before the ball drops. By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated ## US-China Trade Hopes Send Stocks to New Highs: Stock Market Today Apple and Microsoft are on track to join Nvidia in the $4 trillion market cap club. By Karee Venema Published ## Best 5-Year CD Rates The best 5-year CD rates earn you up to 4.15%, outpacing inflation and helping you meet long-term savings goals. By Sean Jackson Last updated... ## These Eight States Have the Most Expensive Home Insurance in 2025 If you live in one of these eight states, you're probably paying $1,000 or more above the national average for home insurance. By Rachael Green Last updated

Source: kiplinger.com · Oct 30, 2025

The recent news about Social Security suggests that if you want the maximum benefits in 2026, it's important to plan your claim wisely now—consider delaying your benefits if possible, as it can lead to a higher monthly payment. Additionally, with stock market fluctuations from companies like Meta and Microsoft, it's a good time to review your investment strategy and possibly shift to safer assets as you near retirement. Don't forget to think about a healthcare plan to cover any gaps before you qualify for Medicare at age 65; these steps can help ensure a more comfortable retirement.

Social Security Tax Limit Rises Again: Who Pays More in 2026?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) just announced two key updates for 2026: the new cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and the updated Social Security tax wage base. You’ve probably heard a lot about the COLA, but fewer people realize there’s a cap on how much of your earnings are subject to the Social Security payroll tax. This “wage base" (also known as the Social Security tax limit or wage cap) sets the maximum amount of income that can be taxed to help fund the program each year. That's important since payroll taxes help fund Social Security, which more than 68 million Americans rely on for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. ## From just ~~$107.88~~ $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. ## 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 the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. But the higher the wage cap, the more income is taxed, which particularly affects higher earners. Here’s how that limit is changing for 2026 and what it could mean for your paycheck.... ## Social Security wage base 2026 **The Social Security tax limit (aka wage base) will increase by about 4.8% to $184,500 for 2026.** The amount is adjusted annually for inflation. However, it’s important to note that the wage base and SS COLA are calculated using distinct methods and data sets. The tax limit changes are particularly significant for high-income earners, who may pay more Social Security tax on their earnings next year. So, understanding the adjustment is crucial for effective financial planning. ## Social Security tax rate As noted, the 2026 Social Security tax limit rises to $184,500 for 2026. (The 2025 tax limit was $176,100.) *This 4.77% increase is less than the 5.2% jump from 2023 to 2024 but more than the 4.4% increase from 2024 to 2025.* Still, if you earn more than $176,100 this year, 2025, you haven’t had to pay the Social Security payroll tax on the amount of your income that exceeds that limit.) That can result in considerable tax savings. - Take, for example, an employee with a 2025 annual salary that exceeded the tax limit by $10,000. Since the Social Security tax rate is 6.2% ( *your employer also pays 6.2%*), they would save $620 on Social Security taxes. - On the other hand, someone who earns wages exceeding the base by $30,000 would receive a $1,860 tax break. - The more you make over the tax limit, the more your Social Security tax savings. However, the Social Security tax limit increases yearly as the national average wage index increases. When that happens, more income is subject to the Social Security tax. *Note: Some people don’t have to pay Social Security taxes. (Exemptions from Social Security taxes may be available if certain requirements are met.) * Also, self-employed individuals pay the full 12.4% rate. However, if you're self-employed, you can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of that amount.... ## Medicare tax rate 2025 and 2026 It’s also worth noting that, unlike Social Security, the Medicare tax has no income cap. The standard Medicare tax rate of 1.45% ( *paid by the employee, 2.9% total when added to the employer portion*) applies to all earnings, regardless of income level. High-income earners can be subject to an additional Medicare surtax of 0.9%. This applies to those with income above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. Self-employed individuals pay the employee and employer portions of Medicare tax but can claim a self-employment tax deduction. The 0.9% on high incomes may apply. ## Social Security COLA 2026 **Along with the wage tax base rate, the SSA announced the** ** 2026 COLA increase, ** **which is 2.8%. ** On average, according to the SSA, Social Security retirement monthly benefits for an "average retiree" are expected to grow by about $57 as of January 2026. *For more information, see Kiplinger's report: * *The Social Security COLA for 2026: What You Need to Know.*... Converting to a backdoor Roth IRA via an IRS "loophole" is an estate planning tool that gives heirs tax-free income in retirement. It can help you, too.

Source: kiplinger.com · Oct 30, 2025

The Social Security tax limit is increasing to $184,500 in 2026, meaning higher earners will pay more into the system. As you near retirement, consider how these changes might impact your Social Security benefits and overall financial planning; it’s essential to stay informed so you can make optimal decisions about when to claim your benefits. Remember, this could also affect how you approach saving or de-risking your investment portfolio as you prepare for retirement and healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in at 65.