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A senior reviewing his retirement benefits.
Social Security

What Is the Average Social Security Check at Age 65?

For many Americans, Social Security is a foundational source of income in retirement. And knowing how much you can expect to receive, such as what the average Social Security check is at age 65, can help you plan ahead. It’s also important to note that claiming Social Security at 65 or earlier will result in… read more…

A senior reviews his retirement benefits.
Social Security

What Is the Average Social Security Check at Age 64?

Knowing what the average Social Security check is at age 64 can help you decide when to retire and create a plan for your income in retirement. Collecting Social Security at 64 does mean you’re claiming benefits before your full retirement age (FRA), which still means a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. But if… read more…

A senior couple reviewing their Social Security check.
Social Security

What Is the Average Social Security Check at Age 63?

Social Security is a key source of income for many retirees. With that in mind, it’s useful to know what the average Social Security check may be at age 63 so you can better plan for retirement. It’s also important to understand that while you can begin collecting Social Security as early as 62, claiming… read more…

A financial advisor helping a client develop a tax strategy.
Tax Planning

Schedule E Tax Form: When and How to File

If you earn income from rental properties, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates or trusts, you’ll likely need to submit Schedule E with your tax return. This supplemental federal income tax form, officially titled “Supplemental Income and Loss,” is where you report income beyond your regular wages or salary. Because of its complexity and potential impact… 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

5 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

An investor reviews his portfolio in his home office.
Income

How Much Do You Need to Earn to Be in the Top 1% in Your State? 2025 Study

Nearly 1.5 million households across the United States now rank among the top 1% of earners, according to the latest tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On average, it takes $731,492 in annual income to be a part of this group. But that threshold looks different depending on where you live. Economic… read more…

Scenery of the flower bed in the street; San Jose, California
Cost of Living & Taxes

America’s Most Expensive Housing Markets – 2025 Study

As of May 2025, the median home sale price in the U.S. hit $368,751. But in some metro areas, it’s standard for single-family homes to sell for over $1 million. In these high-cost areas, price swings may carry major consequences, such as putting existing homeowners at risk of losing equity or potentially pricing out hopeful… read more…

Drone panorama of the North Carolina State Capitol and Raleigh skyline
Demographics & Migration

Where Millennials Are Buying Homes – 2025 Study

Millennials – all squarely within their primary working years – are buying homes more or less quickly depending on the metro area. In some places, 1 in every 25 residents between the ages of 25 and 44 purchased a home with a conventional mortgage just in 2024 alone. In other major metros, less than 1… read more…

Aerial View of the Twin Cities Suburb of Plymouth, Minnesota
Quality of Life

Most Livable Small Cities – 2025 Study

The density, noise and expense of large cities may not always be optimal for each American household. Still, trading in the convenience of a large city often means a multi-person household may be split on what factors go into making a location a best-fit. In some cases, but not others, families may be willing to… read more…

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