Kimberly Lankford
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
Latest articles by Kimberly Lankford
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Insurance for a Learning Driver
insurance Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
Getting Out of an RMD Penalty
retirement When your brokerage firm miscalculates your required minimum distributions, you have recourse.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
529 Plans -
11 Reasons You Need Umbrella Insurance Right Now
insurance An umbrella insurance policy can protect your assets and future earnings from expensive lawsuits.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
insurance -
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Account
savings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
savings -
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Travel -
It’s Not Too Late to Boost Retirement Savings for 2018
retirement Some retirement accounts will accept contributions for 2018 up until the April tax deadline.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
How to Correct a Mistake on Your RMDs from IRAs
retirement If you didn't take out the correct required minimum distribution because your brokerage firm made a mistake, the IRS may show some leniency.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
What Travel Insurance Covers When Planes Are Grounded
Travel Your travel insurance might help with some costs if your trip was delayed because of the recent grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Travel -
Ways to Spend Your Flexible Spending Account Money by March 15 Deadline
spending Many workers will be hitting the drugstore in the next few days to use up leftover flexible spending account money from 2018 so they don’t lose it.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
spending -
Paying for Continuing Education With a 529 Plan
529 Plans You don’t have to pursue a college degree to be able to use tax-free money from a 529 college-savings plan to pay for classes.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
529 Plans -
Making the Most of a Health Savings Account Once You Turn Age 65
Making Your Money Last You’ll face a stiff penalty and taxes if you tap your health savings account for non-medical expenses before the age of 65. After that, the rules change.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Making Your Money Last -
11 Strategies for IRA Withdrawals in Retirement
IRAs When you invest in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-deferred plan, you make a deal with Uncle Sam: You get years of tax-deferred growth, but you have to start taking money out—and give a cut to the IRS—after you turn age 70½.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
IRAs -
What’s the Best Medigap Policy
insurance All plans with the same letter have the same coverage, but prices can vary by company.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
Credit Freezes Aren't Foolproof
credit & debt Why you should still be periodically checking all three credit reports.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
credit & debt -
Using a 529 Plan for High School
529 Plans You’re now able to withdraw up to $10,000 tax-free from a 529 plan each year for K-12 tuition.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
529 Plans -
You May Pay More for Your Prescription Drugs
insurance If your health insurance plan dropped your drugs from their formulary, you still have options.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
Reporting Charitable IRA Distributions on Tax Returns Can Be Confusing
IRAs Taxpayers need to be careful when reporting charitable gifts from their IRA on their tax returns, or they may end up overpaying Uncle Sam.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
IRAs -
When You Can Expect to Receive Your Tax Refund
taxes The quickest way to receive your tax refund is to file electronically and have the money directly deposited into your bank account.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
taxes -
Make the Most of the New Military Retirement Plan
retirement The government is offering a new retirement option so that service members who leave the military before qualifying for a pension can still receive some benefits.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
retirement -
How a Move Can Change Your 529 Plan Tax Deduction
529 Plans The tax deduction you get for contributing to your state’s 529 plan can disappear if you move to another state.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
529 Plans -
Do I Need Extra Insurance for My Drone?
insurance Before your drone takes to the sky, see if your insurer will cover any damages the unmanned aircraft may cause to others or their property.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
insurance -
How Changes in Income Affect Medicare Premiums
Medicare Medicare beneficiaries can see their premiums go up if their income rises, although for some that increase will be only temporary.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
Medicare