Personal Finance Guide

Analysis: Deficit may be biggest threat to healthcare reforms

2011-12-18T07:30:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A mounting U.S. deficit could pose a much greater threat to the survival of President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms than either the Supreme Court or 2012 elections.

Many health experts say innovations in delivering medical care and the creation of state health insurance exchanges for ...

U.S. states to weigh in on basic health coverage

2011-12-16T15:30:30Z

(Reuters) - U.S. health officials will allow states to select the basic set of medical benefits that must be offered by insurance plans participating in new exchanges mandated by the federal healthcare overhaul, the U.S. government said on Friday.

The Reuters) - U.S. health officials will allow states to select the basic set of medical benefits that must be offered by insurance plans participating in new exchanges mandated by the federal healthcare overhaul, the U.S. government said on Friday.

The Reuters) - Republican lawmaker Paul Ryan, who caused an uproar this year by proposing to privatize Medicare, unveiled a new bipartisan approach on Thursday to cut costs in the government's $525 billion health plan for the elderly.

Ryan, chairman of the Reuters) - U.S. healthcare reforms have enabled 2.5 million young adults to join or remain in their parents' health insurance plans, the U.S. government said on Wednesday, up from 1 million reported earlier this year.

Federal officials fully credited the gains to the Reuters) - Health authorities are directing Medicare prescription drug plans to withhold payments for popular painkillers when they suspect patient abuse, part of a wider effort to combat fraud.

The Department of...

State Medicaid spending soars

2011-12-13T13:00:28Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spending by U.S. states on Medicaid, the healthcare program for the poor, soared last year and will likely continue growing despite measures to contain costs, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Total Medicaid spending, excluding administrative costs, likely reached $398.6 billion in fiscal 2011, which...

Medicaid spending soars in US states-budget officers

2011-12-13T13:00:11Z

Total Medicaid spending, excluding administrative costs, likely...

Is keeping your house worth it all?

2011-12-13T02:30:22Z

Clay McRae is something of a recent exception as far as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Nevada and Utah is concerned.

Out of work for nearly two years, possibly on the verge of losing his home to foreclosure, McRae walked in the front door of the nonprofit organization early Monday in pursuit of help, something a surprisingly large number of Nevadans have...

Pay Off the House or Keep the Mortgage?

2011-12-12T11:30:31Z

Consider these factors when weighing the decision to pay off the house.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in the December 2011 issue of Kiplinger's Retirement Report. To subscribe, click here.

More retirees than ever are still making mortgage payments. If you're one of them, you're likely pondering this question: Should I pay off the loan, or not? Throw in histor...

Romney hits Gingrich on Medicare reform

2011-12-09T18:30:07Z

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Reuters) - Republican Mitt Romney hit surging presidential rival Newt Gingrich on Friday over Medicare reform but left the to...

Republican Romney hits Gingrich over Medicare plan

2011-12-09T15:00:07Z

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Reuters) - Republican Mitt Romney hit surging presidential rival Newt Gingrich in Iowa on Friday for attacking a Republican plan to r...

Taxpayers with overseas accounts seethe at big penalties due

2011-12-09T14:30:16Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Internal Revenue Service's crackdown on overseas tax cheats is having an unintended consequence on American expats. It's prompting many of them to pay penalties for failure to file paperwork that may be drastically out of proportion to the actual amount of taxes owed.

After R...

U.S. targets mortgage servicers for poor performance

2011-12-07T15:00:22Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration said on Wednesday it will keep the pressure on two big U.S. banks to help more troubled borrowers from losing their homes by withholding payments to the banks under a foreclosure-prevention program for the third straight quar...

Mortgage servicers targeted for poor performance

2011-12-07T13:00:21Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration said on Wednesday it will keep the pressure on two big banks to help ease the foreclosure crisis, withholding payments to them under a foreclosure relief program.

The Treasury said Bank of ...

Senators wade into flood insurance fray again

2011-12-02T13:30:11Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two members of the Senate have revived the debate over the federal government's flood insurance program, with one pushing to extend the program before it expires and the other demanding faster payment on existing claims.

The National Flood Insurance Program has su...

Great Advice From Around the Web

2011-12-02T11:30:28Z

A weekly look at personal finance tips and insights others are offering.

Truth be told, I'm having a hard time thinking about personal finance today. I'm expecting my third child any day now -- and I'm hoping today is that day.

While I'm out on maternity leave, some of my favorite personal finance bloggers will be filling in for me and writing guest Kip Tips. Below you'll find a ...

UnitedHealth sees 2012 Medicare, Medicaid gains

2011-11-29T10:00:33Z

(Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group Inc, the largest U.S. health insurer, forecast an increase in membership next year as gains in its Medicare and Medicaid plans more than offset declines in some plans serving employers and indivi...

Prepare for the Retirement Tax Bite

2011-11-24T11:30:29Z

When the time comes to tap your tax-deferred retirement accounts, Uncle Sam will be waiting for his share.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in the December 2011 issue of Kiplinger's Retirement Report. To subscribe, click here.

One of the nastiest surprises awaiting some retirees is the devastating impact that taxes can have on ...

The Cons of Retail Credit Cards

2011-11-24T11:30:28Z

Here's why you shouldn't open a store credit card just to get a discount on your holiday purchases.

By John Ulzheimer, Guest Columnist

When you’re doing your holiday shopping, expect retailers to throw you discounts as high as 20% if you are willing to apply for a store credit card. On the surface this sounds like a no-brainer. You op...

12 Things Going Right Heading Into 2012

2011-11-23T11:30:30Z

Bad news got you down? Here are some things to be thankful for as 2011 winds down and a new year begins.

An economy that can’t find its footing. Unemployment still near 10%. Roller-coaster markets. Dysfunctional government. Staggering debt at home, and a debt crisis abroad. What else can go wrong?

Actually, we’re here to remind you of a ...

Blacks with diverticulitis have worse outcomes

2011-11-22T06:30:18Z

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Blacks need emergency surgery more often than whites for a common type of intestinal disease, and they tend to fare worse afterwards, suggests a study of older Americans on Medicare.

It's not the first time researchers find racial differences in rates of complications and dea...

UnitedHealth to buy Medicare specialist XLHealth

2011-11-22T06:00:10Z

(Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group Inc plans to acquire privately held XLHealth Corp in the health insurance industry's latest deal involving Medicare plans for the elderly.

XLHealth, which is owned by private equity firm SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court declined to give local governments carte blanche to hike health premiums for retired workers, saying on Monday that retirees could have a right to such benefits in some circumstances.

Gove...

CA court weighs in on retiree health benefits

2011-11-21T15:00:31Z

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court declined to give local governments carte blanche to hike health premiums for retired workers, saying on Monday that retirees could have a right to such benefits in some circumstances.

Gove...

California court weighs in on retiree health benefits

2011-11-21T12:00:26Z

Gove...

Top court names lawyers to argue healthcare case

2011-11-18T14:30:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Friday named an attorney to argue that challenges to President Barack Obama's healthcare insurance requirements must wait until after that part of the law has taken effect in 2014.

The high court also appointed a second attorney to argue that all other parts of the law can stand i...

Supreme Court names lawyers to argue healthcare case

2011-11-18T14:30:12Z

The high court also appointed a second attorn...

Your Job Should Drive Your Savings Plan

2011-11-18T11:30:43Z

Focus on your income prospects first. That will inform your investment strategy best.

How should I invest my savings long term? The question has become almost a national obsession over the past three decades as defined contribution plans—401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s, the various IRAs—have become the mainstay pension for American workers and families.

Five questions about GOP's plan to privatize Medicare

2011-11-17T13:30:44Z

(Reuters) - The Congressional Super Committee negotiations are coming down to the wire, and Republicans are demanding that Medicare privatization be included in any final budget deal.

The news comes on the heels of GOP Presidential candidate

Get Free Retirement Advice

2011-11-17T11:30:35Z

Advisers will be available November 16 to answer your money and retirement questions on Facebook and Twitter.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance and the National CHICAGO (Reuters) - When it comes to retirement, many middle class Americans said 80 is the new 65 and plan to delay retirement because of worries over money, according to a new survey.

Wells Fargo bank asked 1,500 Americans who earned between $25,000 and $99...

How to Tap Your 401(k) or IRA Penalty-Free

2011-11-16T11:30:31Z

There are exceptions to the rules that require you to keep money in retirement accounts until age 59˝.

I’m 56 years old and about to retire. Is there a way to withdraw money from my 401(k) and traditional IRA without paying the 10% penalty for withdrawals before age 59 ˝?

You’re in luck. Because you will be older than 55 whe...

Obama administration launches $1 billion healthcare drive

2011-11-14T14:30:10Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Monday said $1 billion of federal funds allocated in last year's health reform law will go toward innovation programs designed to boost jobs and improve patient care.

The announcement is the administration's latest attempt to show that it is working outside of a deeply divided Congress ...

New Laws Quck Repeals

2010-12-28T12:31:28Z

FILE - In this May 19, 2010 file photo a sign for a Wisconsin Auto Title Loans store is seen in Madison, Wis. A new law will take effect at the start of the new year limiting payday loans to no more than $1,500 and banning loans secured by vehicle titles altogether. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley, File)

HEALTH PLANS

2010-11-28T07:01:32Z

Graphic shows source of insurance coverage in the United States,

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MORTGAGE RATES

2010-10-07T13:26:54Z

Graphic shows 30-year weekly mortgage rates for the past 13 months

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PERSONAL

2010-10-03T05:15:50Z

Charts show personal income and spending for the past 13 months

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NET WORTH

2010-09-21T11:23:13Z

Chart shows quarterly statistics on household net worth

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