A stretch annuity lets a beneficiary receive inherited annuity payments over an extended period rather than all at once. Spreading payments over time can create a steadier income stream and may limit how much taxable income is recognized each year. The remaining balance continues to grow tax-deferred while payments are…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates barely budged heading into the final Federal Reserve meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the fourth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity…
Key takeaways Mutual funds can be a great way to invest for long-term goals such as retirement. There are thousands of mutual funds focused on different asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Index funds are popular because of their low cost and diversification benefits. Millions of Americans use mutual…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates dipped this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.28%, down from 6.32% the previous week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low 30-year…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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If you want to buy a high-priced home and need to finance most of the purchase, you’ll need a larger-than-usual mortgage: a jumbo loan. Here’s how jumbos work, and the current limits, state by state. Jumbo loans earn their title because they’re big, so big…
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Experience with the Program: How Debt Management Helped a First-Time Renter Katie’s journey shows clearly how debt management helped her regain control over…
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Like other value investing stalwarts, $35 billion Hotchkis & Wiley made its name filling its funds with cheap, unloved stocks. Here’s how manager…
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Key takeaways Mobile banking is secure when you use official apps and follow best practices. Major banks invest billions in cybersecurity, but user habits still matter. With the right steps — like multi-factor authentication and strong passwords — mobile banking can be safer than visiting a branch. Mobile banking is…
Key takeaways Saving builds security, flexibility, and freedom — not just a rainy-day fund. Cash reserves protect you from financial stress and open doors to opportunity. The earlier you start saving, the easier it is to reach your life and retirement goals. Most people know they should save. But understanding…
PeopleImages/Getty Images Key takeaways CDs are among the safest places to keep your money, but early withdrawals or inflation can erode returns. FDIC or NCUA insurance protects up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution. Smart CD strategies — like laddering or using no-penalty CDs — can help you avoid losses…
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Chase offers several preapproval options, including a preapproval tool and specialized preapproved offers. Most Chase cards require good to excellent credit for approval, so make sure your credit score meets the requirements before submitting an application. Receiving preapproval for a Chase…
Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images Business owners often have startup or major costs that come with investing in their businesses. A credit card with a 0 percent intro APR offer can buy you time to pay off a big purchase without accruing interest. As long as you pay off the…
Key takeaways Many lenders state their credit score requirements, helping you narrow down small business loans for bad credit Some loans focus less on your business credit history and more on future sales or revenue from invoices Offering assets or collateral can make you less risky and improve your chances…
Images: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Key takeaways A mortgage prequalification helps potential homebuyers know how big of a loan they might qualify for. Getting prequalified does not negatively affect your credit score — but getting preapproved does. While a prequalification is faster and easier to get than a preapproval, it’s…
Reaching age 65 doesn’t automatically change how the IRS taxes your 401(k) withdrawals. Instead, it taxes distributions from a traditional 401(k) as ordinary income, just like wages or Social Security benefits. Your tax rate depends on your total taxable income and filing status in the year you make the withdrawal,…
Key takeaways Built-in budgeting tools help automatically track and categorize spending without needing separate budgeting apps. Most major banks now offer some form of automated expense tracking, making budgeting more accessible than ever. Your bank may offer advanced personal finance hubs, providing insights into spending habits, tracking savings progress, and…
Many businesses, even those that are profitable and well-run, might occasionally need to carry debt. Balance transfer credit cards can help you consolidate high-interest debt and work on paying it off over time at a lower or 0 percent APR. But be warned, balance transfer offers on business credit cards…
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