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Social Security’s family maximum can reduce each child’s payment when several family members collect on the same record.
Social Security

Your Mother Died With a $3,000 Social Security Benefit. Could You Qualify to Collect Up to 75%?

If your mother had a $3,000 Social Security benefit, it might seem natural to collect part of it after she dies. Survivor benefits for children, however, come with strict rules and typically exclude adults. Here’s how you may be able to claim up to 75% ($2,250 a month) and why Social Security’s family limit could… read more…

Investing

Revolut IPO: Timeline, Valuation and Investment Options

Revolut remains private, with no announced IPO date or public registration filing. The London-based fintech launched its fully licensed U.K. bank in March and was most recently valued at about $115 billion in a secondary share sale.1 For investors tracking a Revolut IPO, the central questions are when a listing could happen, what the company may… read more…

Investing

Lambda IPO: Timeline, Valuation and Investment Options

Lambda, an Nvidia-backed AI cloud company that rents GPU computing capacity, remains private, with no public S-1 or announced IPO date as of Oct. 2026. It is seeking up to $4 billion at a reported $14.5 billion pre-money valuation, but that round has not been announced as closed.1 Investors tracking a Lambda IPO can follow… read more…

A new will doesn’t change the beneficiary named on a bank account, retirement plan or life insurance policy.
Estate Planning

My Will Left Everything to My Kids. One Old Bank Form Would Have Sent It to My Ex.

Leaving everything to your children in a new will does not automatically control what happens to bank accounts, retirement accounts or life insurance. Those assets usually pass to the person named on file. That means an ex-spouse could still get the money if the designation was never updated. Here’s why this can happen, and what… read more…

Editor's Picks

A couple determining whether they need a CFA vs. CFP®.
Certifications & Licenses

CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?

Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…

Clients meeting with an advisor from a wealth management firm.
Brokerage

6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm

Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…

A fee-only financial planner doesn't earn commissions for recommending certain products.
Advisor Fees & Costs

What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?

If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…

Investment Property
Real Estate Investing

Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties

If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…

Data Articles and Studies

The McKinlock Gate, an ornate wrought-iron gate entrance gate on Northwestern University's Chicago campus.
Travel, Education & More

America’s Best-Value Universities for Veterans — 2026 Study

For many veterans, earning a post-service academic degree can be an important step toward civilian career advancement and a successful transition from military service. While GI Bill benefits help cover college costs, student outcomes and support for veterans vary by institution. Some universities offer a stronger combination of manageable costs and academic value, helping veterans… read more…

Financial Advisors

States with the Most Potential Assets to Manage Per Financial Advisor — 2026 Study

For financial advisors, market opportunity depends not only on the amount of wealth residents have available to manage, but also on the number of advisors competing for that wealth. States where residents have substantial wealth, and where advisor competition is relatively limited, may offer stronger prospects for new business acquisition and practice growth. In places… read more…

A server carrying dishes at a restaurant.
Income

Where a Minimum Wage Goes Furthest in 2026

Minimum wage laws expanded during the Great Depression to support a basic standard of living, but their value today depends on local costs. A relatively high minimum wage may still fall far short in an expensive state, while a lower minimum wage may cover a larger share of basic expenses in areas where costs are… read more…

Man working in a warehouse.
Income

The 2026 Job Mix: Blue-, White- and Pink-Collar Employment by State

America’s occupational complexion varies widely by geography. Some states run on factory floors, others in office towers and still others in hotels and hospitals. But automation, artificial intelligence and changing demand are reshaping occupations unevenly, making each state’s particular mix of jobs increasingly consequential to its economic outlook. SmartAsset analyzed May 2025 Bureau of Labor… read more…

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