Trading PTO For Student Loan Repayment Help Would you give up a vacation week to erase some of your student debt? Allowing employees to convert unused paid time off into extra student loan payments is an gaining traction. In a recent report, Fortune highlighted how some borrowers are even ditching PTO to get a payment boost on their student loans. In other words, instead of letting unused vacation days expire or rollover, employees can cash them out to chip away at college debt. This reflects both evolving workplace benefits and the financial pressures facing millions of Americans carrying student loans.…

Nearly 200,000 federal student loan borrowers were notified this week that their wages and benefits are about to be seized by the government. The warnings represent the first wave of involuntary collections actions that the Department of Education has initiated against borrowers in default on their federal student loans. “Starting today, approximately 195,000 defaulted student loan borrowers will begin receiving an official 30-day notice from the U.S. Department of Treasury notifying them that their federal benefits will be subjected to the Treasury Offset Program,” said the Department of Education in a statement on Monday. The action follows a department announcement…

Mother’s Day is a time for celebration, reflection and maybe a moment to talk about the hard stuff. As our parents age, many of us find ourselves navigating unfamiliar territory: future care, legal paperwork, long-term expenses and awkward but necessary conversations about estate planning. But planning for the future doesn’t have to be grim. It can be a gift; a way to ensure your parents’ wishes are honored, their care is managed with dignity and your family avoids emotional and financial chaos if an unexpected health crisis hits. We spoke to elder law attorneys, financial planners and aging experts to…

As we enter the second half of the 2020s, a new economy is unfolding and women are leading the way forward. In fact, female entrepreneurs and leaders are reshaping the economic landscape. And they’re replacing many traditional corporate approaches with ones that feel more intuitive — and are much-needed. This isn’t to suggest that women haven’t had a hand in the economy until recently. For generations, they’ve been drivers of commerce and industry. (Organizations like the Female Founder Collective have given a huge assist along the way.) The difference now is that their roles have shifted more into the spotlight…

The Trump administration looks to cut Department of Housing and Urban Development funding by 43.6%. The largest suggested cut is to housing assistance — just under $26.72 billion from the State Rental Assistance Block Grant, according to the White House discretionary budget request for fiscal year 2026. (The federal fiscal year runs from October through September.) The document claims that states would be “empowered” by using a state-based formula for grants. States could then “design their own rental assistance programs based on their unique needs and preferences.” There would be a two-year gap on rental assistance for “able-bodied adults,” ensuring…

There have been numerous changes to the tax rules surrounding retirement plans in the last few years. One in particular, which is effective in 2025, has flown under the radar. It is sometimes called the ‘super’ catch-up contribution, and it’s only available to workers age 60 to 63. New 401(k) Catch-Up Limit for Workers Age 60 – 63 Starting in 2025, individuals ages 60 to 63 (by Dec. 31) can make even higher catch-up contributions to their 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) retirement plan. The new rule allows these workers to contribute up to 150% of the inflation-adjusted catch-up limits…

Overview Of The Republican Student Loan Forgiveness And Repayment Overhaul House Republicans have introduced a broad-based student loan and higher education reform bill that would transform student loan forgiveness and repayment, eliminate key borrower protections, and reshape access to federal financial aid. The proposal, aimed at offsetting extended tax cuts, would cut an estimated $330 billion in education spending and mark the most significant rewrite of student loan policy in decades. While the plan promises savings for taxpayers and simplicity for new borrowers, it could come at a cost to others. In a previous Forbes post, I highlighted seven groups…

A new program that offers borrowers an opportunity to “buy back” periods of time that didn’t count toward student loan forgiveness has been largely stalled for months. But a recent court filing suggests the Department of Education may begin processing these requests in the coming weeks, and borrowers may get some key details very soon. PSLF Buyback allows borrowers on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a popular program for nonprofit and government workers that can wipe out their federal student loan debt, to get retroactive credit for certain nonpayment periods in exchange for a lump-sump payment. PSLF typically requires…

A California company called Optronics Technologies, Inc., but known as Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, brought an antitrust lawsuit against Ningbo Sunny Electronic Co., Ltd. The lawsuit alleged that Ningbo and some other companies had engaged in price-fixing for the U.S. market for consumer telescopes. Eventually, Orion won a $54 million judgment against Ningbo. After the jury announced its verdict against Ningbo, Orion moved for a restraining order to keep Ningbo from transferring away its U.S. assets. In response to this motion, Ningbo’s president filed a declaration with the court to the effect that Ningbo would not transfer any of its…

If you’re looking to grow your retirement savings, a 401(k) can be a game-changer—but what if your employer doesn’t offer one or what if you don’t have an employer at all? Let’s break it down and explore your options for securing a rock-solid financial future. The options will vary depending on if you are self-employed or just working for a business that does not offer a 401(k) or other retirement account. How Does A 401(k) Work To Help Save For Retirement? A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan typically offered by employers. Contributions are either pre-tax (Traditional 401(k)) or…