Catherine Siskos
Siskos is an old hat with the Kiplinger brand. More than a decade ago, she spent eight years writing about personal finance for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, including a monthly column—Starting Out—that served young adults. That was in her salad days. Now she's turned her attention to an audience she hopes to join in a decade or so: retirees. Siskos is the managing editor for Kiplinger's Retirement Report. In between, she broadened her personal-finance repertoire with real estate and investing stories at Old-House Journal, Investing Daily and U.S. News. She comes to Kiplinger by way of the Newseum, where she worked as an exhibit editor.
Latest articles by Catherine Siskos
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Graduation Gifts to Build Good Money Habits
Financial Planning The best graduation gift will help the young person in your life build savings and ramp up their money skills. Today's grads could use a break.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
Financial Planning -
Medicare
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
Medicare -
A 2022 Guide to Key Dates for Retirees
retirement planning Missing an important deadline can sometimes mean a financial hit. Here is a checklist of what you need to do and when to avoid any potential issues.
By Catherine Siskos Published
retirement planning -
5 Steps to Getting Help From a Home Care Agency
Caregiving A home health aide who helps provide nonmedical care to a loved one can be a great way to provide some relief to a caregiver.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Caregiving -
Tips for Making Caregiving an Easier 24/7 Labor of Love
long term care Caregivers are America's invisible helpers, often giving up everything to care for an ailing family member. But there are ways to lighten that burden.
By Catherine Siskos Published
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The Forces Shaping Retirement in the 2020s
Coronavirus and Your Money Gone are the days of retiring with a pension and gold watch. What retirement means has changed significantly and not always for the better.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Coronavirus and Your Money -
2 Essential Strategies for Taking Your RMDs
Financial Planning Whether you need to take required minimum distributions to live or find them to be a nuisance, here are some tips to make the most of withdrawing these funds.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Financial Planning -
Annuities: How They Could Work for You
Financial Planning No doubt, investing in annuities can be a tough call for the active investor. But there comes a time when relinquishing some control in exchange for reliable income can be a wise move. Also: remembering the biggest financial fraud in history.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Financial Planning -
What's Your Strategy for Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits?
social security Deciding when to start taking your Social Security benefits can have significant financial consequences. Here are some of the factors you should think through.
By Catherine Siskos Published
social security -
A Retiree’s Guide to Key Dates in 2021
Basics It's critical -- and financially sound -- to hit these important financial deadlines spaced throughout the year.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Basics -
What You'll Pay for Medicare in 2021
Healthy Living on a Budget For Medicare premiums 2021, look for modest increases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Healthy Living on a Budget -
Big Changes Likely for Social Security, Medicare Under a Biden Presidency
Making Your Money Last The new president and a fresh Congress will sooner or later have to face the twin safety net programs, both sorely in need of help.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Making Your Money Last -
What Happens to Medicare If the Affordable Care Act Is Overturned?
Medicare Experts say if the ACA is repealed or rescinded "it would be devastating for Medicare." Here's what might happen -- and how it could be costly for you.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Medicare -
Your Guide to Open Enrollment
health insurance Your options may look a little different this fall. Meanwhile, the cost of coverage continues to climb.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
health insurance -
How to Pick the Right Medicare Plans for You
Healthy Living on a Budget As you're signing up for Medicare, you must learn the basics of Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and even doughnut holes. We'll help you sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare -- and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Healthy Living on a Budget -
High-Tech Aids for Aging in Place
Caregiving Apple Watch and other technology provides fast feedback, comfort for older users, and a powerful assist for caregivers.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Caregiving -
IRS Provides Additional RMD Relief for Retirees
Tax Breaks Some seniors who withdrew money from a retirement account in 2020 before RMDs were suspended for the year can still roll the money back into an IRA.
By Catherine Siskos Published
Tax Breaks -
A Hidden Benefit of the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill: You Can Wait to Take Your RMD
required minimum distributions (RMDs) Legislation is expected to waive required minimum distributions from retirement savings accounts for 2020.
By Catherine Siskos Published
required minimum distributions (RMDs)