Search

Switzerland and Japan Are the World's Best Countries 01/22/2019 07:00pm • Growing anxieties about possible economic slowdowns. The possibility of a future trade war between the world's two largest economies. Rising public anger at tech conglomerates and governments about digital security. The accelerating pace of global warming that is exceeding scientists' predictions. FAQ: What you need to know about the government shutdown 01/18/2019 12:29pm • WASHINGTON — We are now in the midst of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. It started Dec. 22 and shows no signs of letting up. President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats are still in a standoff over Trump's demand for more than $5 billion in border wall funding — wh When $1 Million in a 401(k) Is Really $600,000 01/17/2019 07:00pm • That $1 million in your 401(k) account looks mighty good. It's more than you've ever had in your life, and that money will fund your retirement. But it's not quite yours. Your retirement account is tax-deferred, not tax-free. And Uncle Sam hasn't been paid yet. "Some people have this notion that whe 6 Ways to Start 2019 on the Right Financial Foot 01/17/2019 07:00pm • By most measures, 2018 was a wild financial ride. It was one of the most volatile years in the stock market on record, which may have had many investors checking their blood pressure more often than we normally would. With 2018 behind us, it's time to focus on the year ahead, and take some steps to Time for Act 2: Steps to Find Your Ideal Encore Career 01/16/2019 07:00pm • Even the most well-established careers can come to an end. That was the experience of Carol Lavin Bernick, who was an executive at Alberto Culver, a company her father founded in 1955 that manufactured beauty brands such as VO5, Nexxus and St. Ives. "One day I was working for a corporation I loved How To Choose the Right Tax Professional 01/16/2019 07:00pm • The Internal Revenue Service recently announced it will begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 28 and issue tax refunds as planned. As you prepare to file taxes, consider the following tips to protect your identity and score the lowest tax bill this year. Guard your personal informa How Your Retirement Will Be Different From Your Parents' 01/16/2019 07:00pm • Many current retirees, as well as those who are currently working, believe that coming generations could be worse off in retirement than we are today, according to a recent report from the insurance company Aegon. Since many people spend 20 years or more in retirement, these findings show how import 10 Retirees Share Their Biggest Regrets 01/15/2019 07:00pm • Retirement regretsRetirement is often depicted as a golden phase of life, but the reality of retirement doesn't always shimmer. More than half of retirees have retirement regrets, according to a 2018 study by Global Atlantic Financial Group. Whether you're in retirement or looking ahead to it, there Considerations Before Maxing Out Your 401(k) 01/13/2019 07:00pm • You probably already know that contributing to your 401(k) plan will improve your retirement finances. But shoveling as much money as possible into a 401(k) account shouldn't always be your top priority. There are some circumstances when it makes sense to pay down debt and build up some savings outs Federal workers, contractors share #ShutdownStories with WTOP 01/11/2019 05:31pm • Are you a federal worker or contractor affected by the partial government shutdown who did not receive a paycheck today? WTOP wants to know how you're dealing with the situation. Join the conversation on Facebook, message us or email talkback@wtop.com to share your story. WASHINGTON — Some Shutdown: Congress shouldn't get paid during standoff, Va. rep says 01/11/2019 01:30pm • WASHINGTON — As the government shutdown stretches into its 21st day — and is poised to become the longest in history while stranding 800,000 federal workers without pay — one Virginia representative tells WTOP that until Congress gets the job done and ends the three-week impasse, those politic Can You Settle Student Loan Debt? 01/10/2019 07:00pm • When you took out a student loan to pay for school, you probably didn't expect it to go into default. But more than 1 million federal student loan borrowers default each year, according to the Urban Institute, a think tank focused on economic and social policy research. If you're in over your head, 'There's a lot of people hurting right now': Labor unions rally to demand government reopen 01/10/2019 04:40pm • WASHINGTON — Claiming national leaders are playing politics with people's lives, thousands gathered Thursday at AFL-CIO headquarters in downtown D.C. for a rally to demand an end to the partial government shutdown. "We're just really, really upset," AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told WTOP be Why Aren't More Women in Health Care Leadership Roles? 01/09/2019 07:00pm • It's another new year, and for health care, that's a signal that the great debate on the subject is about to commence in Washington. There seems to be no doubt that the United States' health care system -- the most expensive in the world -- needs some adjustments. It's the how and where that fuels 8 Questions to Ask When Selecting an Assisted Living Facility 01/09/2019 07:00pm • Many older adults need a little assistance with the tasks of daily living as time marches onward. In these instances, you may be considering moving yourself or a loved one into an assisted living facility. And if and when it comes to that, you'll no doubt have dozens of questions to answer before t