Personal Finance

The Trump administration is reportedly looking to weaken a key protection for 401(k) retirement accounts, according to a report by Forbes. The move could affect safeguards that shield workers' retirement savings, though details of which protection is targeted and how it would be changed were not immediately available. The report has drawn attention from savers and personal finance observers concerned about retirement security.

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.

Many American homeowners are underinsured without realizing it, leaving a significant gap between what their homes are worth and what their insurance policies would actually pay out after a disaster. Rising construction costs and home values have outpaced policy limits, meaning claims after fires, storms or other damage could fall far short of rebuilding costs, and experts urge homeowners to review their coverage now.

Singapore authorities have broadened their investigation into the business dealings of Jason Fong, a self-styled wealth guru. Details of the expanded probe have not been disclosed, but the case has drawn attention given Fong's public profile promoting wealth-building programmes. The development is being closely followed as more information about the investigation's scope emerges.

A new report identifies the US states where home insurance is becoming unaffordable heading into 2026, highlighting regions where premiums are rising fastest relative to household incomes. The findings point to growing pressure on homeowners in disaster-prone areas, where insurers have been raising rates sharply or pulling out of markets altogether, leaving some families struggling to keep coverage.

The Powerball numbers for the Saturday, September 26 drawing have been released, with an estimated jackpot of $360 million on the line. Lottery players across the United States checked their tickets after the draw, and attention now turns to whether anyone matched all six numbers to claim the prize or whether the jackpot rolls over.

The 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will be announced in October, while the Medicare Part B premium increase will be revealed in November. Retirees will only see the combined effect of both figures when the first payment arrives in January. Many older Americans track this timing closely because the premium increase can reduce how much of the annual raise they actually keep.

The Wall Street Journal examines a growing middle tier in the credit card market: cards priced below true premium products but above basic no-fee options. These 'almost-premium' cards offer some travel perks and rewards at a lower annual fee, as issuers compete for customers who want benefits without top-tier costs.

Financial commentators warn that while Social Security may face automatic benefit cuts in the coming years if Congress does not address funding shortfalls, retirees who claim benefits early can permanently reduce their own payments by an even larger margin. The advice circulating is to weigh claiming age carefully, since delaying benefits can offset some of the risk of future reductions.

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 new coalition called the Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound has launched with the argument that Washington state must reform its tax system to stay economically competitive. The group says the state needs tax structures that are simple, fair, and competitive, while also securing sustainable revenue for public services. Supporters frame tax fairness and stable funding as essential to the region's long-term economic strength.

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.

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.