Taxes, Social Security & retirement
Lawrence Strauss covers taxes, Social Security, and retirement for The Money Front. He follows the deadlines, benefit rules, and IRS changes most likely to affect what older Americans keep, and explains each one in plain, sourced language.
Latest from this writer
WEP and GPO Are Repealed: What Changed for Pensions
The Social Security Fairness Act ended the WEP and GPO benefit cuts for public pension holders. Who got money back, who didn’t,…
Split Your Refund Into Three Accounts With One Form
IRS Form 8888 lets you send one tax refund to up to three accounts, including an IRA. How the split works, the…
Target-Date Funds: What the Year in the Name Means
The year in a target-date fund’s name is your expected retirement date, and it drives how the fund invests. What the label…
Tax Liens vs Levies: The Warning Letters That Come First
A lien is a claim; a levy is a seizure. The IRS sends a paper trail of warnings before either one, and…
Two-Factor Logins: Which Accounts to Lock Down First
Multifactor authentication blocks hackers even when your password leaks. The federal cyber agency’s advice on which accounts to protect first.
Switching Medicare Plans: The Calendar That Controls It
Medicare lets you change plans only during set windows. Here is the full enrollment calendar, from the fall open enrollment ahead to…
Fake Check Scams: Deposited Does Not Mean Cleared
Banks must release deposited funds within days, but a forged check can bounce weeks later, and you repay every cent. How the…
Home Energy Tax Credits: What Still Counts This Year
The big federal home energy credits ended with 2025, but 2025 projects, a just-closed charger credit and state rebates still put real…
Pet Food Recalls: Where the FDA Posts Them First
The FDA lists every pet food recall on one page and will email you new ones. Here is where to look, how…
Tracking Down a Pension From a Company That Closed
A pension does not vanish when the employer does. Free federal search tools at PBGC and the Labor Department can reconnect you…
IRA Contributions Have Two Deadlines Worth Knowing
The IRA calendar is more generous than most savers realize. Here is how the 15-month contribution window works, and the one deadline…
Spousal IRAs: Retirement Saving for a Stay-at-Home Spouse
A spouse without wages can still fund an IRA using the working spouse’s income. The 2026 limits, the joint-filing rule, and how…