Britain could bring in an Australian-style ban on social media for children under 16 as early as this year and close a loophole that left some AI chatbots outside safety rules, as part of government efforts to respond more quickly to digital risks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government last month launched a consultation on a […]
UK Eyes Rapid Ban on Social Media for Under 16s, Curbs to AI Chatbots Read More »
Your Social Security Number (SSN) was never designed to be the “master key” for your entire financial life, yet in 2026, that is exactly what it has become. In an era where data breaches are practically a weekly occurrence and AI-powered scammers can generate convincing fake identities in seconds, simply “guarding” your nine-digit number is
Why ‘Locking’ Your Social Security Number Is the New Credit Freeze Read More »
The Social Security program has been expanded, updated, or shored up by almost every occupant of the Oval Office for over 90 years. Most presidents in the modern era have left a unique fingerprint on your monthly check. From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s historic stroke of a pen in 1935 to the recent tax-cutting measures of
Oval Office Legacies: The Social Security History Quiz Read More »
Taxes on Social Security benefits have been controversial for decades. Many retirees understandably argue that they already paid into the system and so should not face taxes on their Social Security checks at all. That argument is now back in the spotlight, raising new questions about fairness — especially when those taxes kick in under
The New Plan to End Surprise Taxes on Social Security Back Pay: What to Know Read More »
Facebook, Google and other tech giants for more than a decade have rejected allegations that they build products deliberately to get kids addicted to social media. For the first time, company executives, including Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, will answer these accusations in front of a jury as part of a trial
Social Networks Face Big Tobacco Moment Over Addiction Claims Read More »
European countries are taking their broadest swipe yet at social media, with a growing number weighing bans of the services for minors and setting the stage for a new showdown with some of the biggest US companies. The policy was first implemented in Australia, encompassing Meta Platforms Inc.’s Instagram and Facebook, Snap Inc., Elon Musk’s
Move to Ban Social Media for Kids Gains Traction Across Europe Read More »
(Image credit: Getty Images) As people age into their 60s, they face a significant decision: When should they claim Social Security benefits and collect monthly payments? This is not a decision to take lightly. What you do can easily swing lifetime benefits by $200,000 to $300,000 or more. Yet, many people claim their benefits based
The $300,000 Social Security Decision You Could Get Wrong Read More »
(Image credit: Getty Images) Social Security claiming decisions are often described as “permanent,” and in most ways, they are. Once benefits begin, the rules governing reductions, delayed credits and spousal coordination leave little room for correction. Yet this narrative misses an important truth: The Social Security Administration does provide two limited but powerful do-over opportunities
Filed for Social Security Too Soon? 2 Ways to Get a Do-Over Read More »
Each week, in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on topics submitted by readers. This week she’s looking at six questions on the taxation of Social Security benefits. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Tax Letter or subscribe.) 1. Are all Social Security benefits fully tax-free?
Ask the Tax Editor: Taxation of Social Security Benefits Read More »
(Image credit: Getty Images) If you are a financial professional or you’re piloting your family’s financial ship, statistics and survey results can help you prove a point to clients or family members. Take the survey results below, which highlight the disconnect between what advisers say they do and what clients perceive regarding advice on when
Social Security: Are You and Your Financial Adviser in Sync? Read More »