Retirement and Well-Being

Read the latest from Barron's on how to live well and retire confidently.


A CD Ladder Is the Right Step for These Young Workers. Here’s Why.

A CD Ladder Is the Right Step for These Young Workers. Here’s Why.

Laddering certificates of deposits or Treasury bills lets you keep your money and liquid but still earn decent yields.

4 minute read

Many Seniors Avoid Climbing Stairs. Maybe They Shouldn’t.

Many Seniors Avoid Climbing Stairs. Maybe They Shouldn’t.

You might want to rethink that plan to move to a one-story home.

3 minute read

IRS Sets 2026 Tax Brackets. See How They’ve Changed.

IRS Sets 2026 Tax Brackets. See How They’ve Changed.

The top marginal tax rate remains 37% for individuals.

2 minute read

The Government Shutdown and Medicare: What to Know

The Government Shutdown and Medicare: What to Know

Medicare’s open-enrollment season starts Oct 15. What to know about picking the best plan for 2026.

4 minute read

Social Security Head Named to Lead the IRS as Well. Advocates Fear Retirement Security Could Suffer. 

Social Security Head Named to Lead the IRS as Well. Advocates Fear Retirement Security Could Suffer. 

Frank Bisignano has been given a second job at the IRS. Retiree groups criticized the move, while the SSA said the appointment “speaks to the incredible customer service turnaround that is happening at SSA.”

3 minute read

More People Can Save Taxes on Health Expenses With These Accounts Under the New Law

More People Can Save Taxes on Health Expenses With These Accounts Under the New Law

Health savings accounts (HSAs) will be available to roughly 10 million more American beginning in 2026.

Long Read

You Have Decades Before You Retire. Why You Still Want Some Money in Safe Bonds.

You Have Decades Before You Retire. Why You Still Want Some Money in Safe Bonds.

If young workers have near-term financial goals like buying a house, it makes sense to keep part of their savings in bonds or cash.

4 minute read

80% of Workers Say They’re Making Little or No Progress Saving for Retirement

80% of Workers Say They’re Making Little or No Progress Saving for Retirement

A new Goldman Sachs report finds that the rising cost of living is pushing retirement further out of reach for millions of workers.

4 minute read

Treasury Yields Can Push Below 4%. How to Play It.

Treasury Yields Can Push Below 4%. How to Play It.

Bonds offer a hedge as stocks get expensive; the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond exchange-traded fund is up 5.61% year to date, on a total return basis.

3 minute read

The Surprising Truth About ‘Safe’ Retirement Withdrawal Rates

The Surprising Truth About ‘Safe’ Retirement Withdrawal Rates

A few seemingly minor factors can make all the difference between success and failure—such as the time you withdraw each year’s allotment.

Long Read

Moving in Retirement Doesn’t Always Go as Planned. 3 Things to Keep in Mind.

Moving in Retirement Doesn’t Always Go as Planned. 3 Things to Keep in Mind.

Up your odds of a successful transition by following a few basic rules.

4 minute read

How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Social Security

How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Social Security

A government shutdown next week could hamper customer service at the Social Security Administration, even as benefit checks continue to go out as scheduled.

3 minute read

Here Are Things You Can Do This Year to Trim Your Tax Bill Next Year

Here Are Things You Can Do This Year to Trim Your Tax Bill Next Year

Deferring or avoiding income can prevent you from creeping into the next higher tax bracket, and this year the next tax law gives you extra incentive.

Long Read

The Wealthy Are Paying Their Adult Kids’ Bills. Some of Them Are Starting to Worry.

The Wealthy Are Paying Their Adult Kids’ Bills. Some of Them Are Starting to Worry.

A new survey released by Ameriprise shows that about three-quarters of affluent parents are helping to fund their kids’ homes, cars, and health insurance.

2 minute read

How Vanguard Wants to ‘Nudge’ You to Be a Better Investor

How Vanguard Wants to ‘Nudge’ You to Be a Better Investor

The company has been pairing behavioral finance insights with investments in artificial intelligence and other technology.

Long Read

There’s a New Tax Break for ‘Concierge Medicine.’ Should You Go for It?

There’s a New Tax Break for ‘Concierge Medicine.’ Should You Go for It?

Republicans’ health policies may shift more patients and doctors to concierge practices. Should you join the club?

4 minute read

Listen Up, Youngsters: 6 Retirement Lessons From Remorseful Gen Xers.

Listen Up, Youngsters: 6 Retirement Lessons From Remorseful Gen Xers.

From not starting early to failing to plan for the inevitable setbacks, a new survey lays out Gen Xers’ retirement regrets.

Long Read

SEC Advised on How to Offer Private Assets to the Masses Safely

SEC Advised on How to Offer Private Assets to the Masses Safely

The agency said proper safeguards need to be in places before ordinary investors can buy into assets like private equity.

3 minute read

Want to Use AI for Your Personal Finances? Choose Your Questions Carefully.

Want to Use AI for Your Personal Finances? Choose Your Questions Carefully.

Unless you know what you are looking for, artificial intelligence can give wrong or misleading on investment strategies.

Long Read

Start Practicing Retirement Now. It’ll Make the Switch That Much Easier.

Start Practicing Retirement Now. It’ll Make the Switch That Much Easier.

For some, shedding work suddenly is quite a leap. With practice, the transition can go smoothly.

3 minute read

HSAs Are Great for Saving. The Trick Is Getting Gen Zers on Board.

HSAs Are Great for Saving. The Trick Is Getting Gen Zers on Board.

Health Savings Accounts are among the most underused retirement vehicles for young investors. Some financial advisors are working to change that.

4 minute read

The Projected Social Security COLA for 2026 Is Out. It May Look ‘Pretty Underwhelming.’

The Projected Social Security COLA for 2026 Is Out. It May Look ‘Pretty Underwhelming.’

The projection is up slightly from a month ago but still wouldn’t be enough for seniors to cover their essentials such as food and healthcare.

1 minute read

Yields Are Falling. 6 Places Retirees Can Still Find Reliable Income.

Yields Are Falling. 6 Places Retirees Can Still Find Reliable Income.

With the Fed likely to cut rates, you may need to protect your bond income. Here are six funds to consider.

4 minute read

How a Bill to End Taxes on Social Security Benefits Could Actually Save the Program

How a Bill to End Taxes on Social Security Benefits Could Actually Save the Program

A Democratic bill aims to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, a Trump campaign promise that this summer’s Republican tax and spending law failed to deliver on.

2 minute read

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