Personal Finance

The Trump administration is reportedly looking to soften a key protection for 401(k) retirement accounts, according to Forbes. The report has drawn attention because 401(k) rules safeguard the retirement savings of tens of millions of American workers, and any weakening of those protections could affect how their funds are managed and what fees or conflicts of interest they are exposed to.

Many homeowners are underinsured and do not realize it, according to CNBC reporting. Coverage often falls short of rebuilding costs because home values and construction expenses have risen faster than policies have been updated. The report urges homeowners to review their policies, check replacement-cost limits and consider inflation or building-code riders before disaster strikes.

Retirees on Social Security may be in line for their largest cost-of-living adjustment since 2021, with inflation data pointing to a notably bigger annual benefit increase than recent years. The COLA, announced each autumn, raises monthly payments to help benefits keep pace with rising prices. Financial commentators are urging retirees to watch upcoming inflation figures, which will determine the exact size of the 2026 adjustment.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the growth of 'almost-premium' credit cards — cards that sit between basic no-fee products and high-end travel cards, offering some perks and mid-level annual fees. Issuers are increasingly targeting consumers who want a taste of premium benefits like credits and lounge access without paying top-tier prices, reshaping the card market's middle segment.

Social Security faces potential future benefit reductions, but financial commentary warns that a bigger cut can come from claimants themselves. Retiring early and claiming benefits before full retirement age can permanently reduce monthly payments by a larger margin than any projected program shortfall. Advisers urge workers to weigh delayed claiming strategies, noting that when you file can matter more for lifetime income than the looming political debate over funding.

Beneficiaries will learn their 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment when it is announced in October, while Medicare Part B premium changes are revealed a month later in November. Because the Part B deduction is taken directly from benefit payments, the January 2027 deposit will be the first to show the combined effect of both changes, giving retirees a true picture of their net increase.

The winning Powerball numbers for the Saturday, September 26 drawing have been announced, with an estimated jackpot of $360 million at stake. Players across the United States checked their tickets after the drawing, and attention now turns to whether anyone matched all six numbers to claim the prize or whether the jackpot will roll over and grow even larger.

A new report identifies which US states will see home insurance premiums climb to unaffordable levels in 2026. Coverage highlights rising costs for homeowners, driven by factors such as extreme weather risk and rebuilding expenses. Homeowners in the hardest-hit states face mounting bills and difficult choices about insuring their properties.

Mortgage and refinance interest rates continued climbing on Saturday, September 26, 2026, extending a recent upward trend according to Yahoo Finance's daily rate report. The rise means higher borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers heading into the weekend. Homeowners weighing a refinance may also face less favorable terms as rates move upward with no clear sign of a pullback yet.

A newly launched coalition, the Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound, is calling on Washington State to overhaul its tax system, arguing the state must build structures that are simple, fair and competitive in order to secure sustainable revenue and strengthen economic competitiveness. The group frames tax fairness as central to the region's economic future, and the argument is drawing attention in discussions about state fiscal policy.

Spaniards are looking up how much state pensions will rise in 2027, under the country's annual pension uprating system. Attention is focused on how the revaluation will affect retirement benefits and household income, with calculations circulating about what the average retirement pension could look like next year.

Millions of Medicare Advantage and Part D plan holders could receive two letters from insurers this fall: one announcing plan changes for the coming year, and another confirming their plan is being discontinued. Policy experts note that only enrollees whose plans are cancelled get a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medigap supplemental policy without medical underwriting, making the second letter far more consequential than it looks.