401(k) hardship withdrawals hit a record high last year. Six percent of workers in Vanguard-managed retirement plans pulled money out early. That’s up from five percent the year before, marking the sixth straight annual increase. Most of these withdrawals cover
You notice 6.2 percent missing from every paycheck for Social Security. You assume it won’t matter until retirement, decades away. On October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration announces the 2027 Social Security COLA. This yearly increase adjusts benefits for
You renew your health insurance plan every fall without much thought. This year’s bill makes you do a double take. The 2027 ACA open enrollment period opens November 1, 2026. It follows a year when average marketplace premium payments jumped
Forty-five percent of people in a relationship don’t know everything about their partner’s finances. Financial infidelity means hiding debt, income, or spending from a partner. It’s common enough that experts treat it like a real relationship risk. Gen Z couples
Navigating healthcare benefits involves sorting through premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. In 2026-27, the landscape is shifting in your favor. Employers are implementing innovative benefit strategies to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses while providing comprehensive support for your physical, mental, and
Many were taught to build wealth by buying something significant and believing that it would increase in value. This could be a house, a stock, or a crypto coin your coworker is obsessed with. This can work, but it depends
On September 23, 2026, the Department of Education opened the FAFSA 2027-28 form. That beat its own October 1 deadline by four days. Secretary Linda McMahon called it the earliest FAFSA launch in the program’s history. It’s the second year
Buying school books can be expensive, but with the right tools, you can find the books that fit you and the best way to buy them. To thrive in law school or as a legal professional, you need books. As
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on September 16, 2026, for the first time since 2023. The new range sits at 3.75 percent to 4.00 percent. This Fed rate hike will not hit your bank account tomorrow. It will hit
You open one new credit card to build a financial cushion, pay every bill on time, and your credit score drops anyway. That is not a glitch. Gen Z’s average credit score has fallen to 676, thirty-eight points below the
A bigger salary can make a new job look like an easy yes. An extra $10,000 on the offer letter is exciting. But pay is only one piece of the money puzzle. A longer commute could eat into those gains.
The tools businesses have to work with today have gotten a serious upgrade with the widespread availability of artificial intelligence. With the powerful computing power of AI and the unique perspective of their employees, companies can elevate every experience. Brands