Category: benefits

US Jobless Claim Applications Fall to Lowest in 14 Weeks

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level in more than three months last week, reflecting a still-robust job market despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool the economy and bring down decades-high inflation. Applications for unemployment aid for the week ending Dec. 31 fell by 19,000 to 204,000, the…


Fewer Americans Apply for Jobless Benefits Last Week

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell significantly last week, a sign that the labor market remains strong even as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates in an effort to cool the economy and slow inflation. Applications for jobless claims fell to 211,000 for the week ending Dec. 10, down by…


Applications for Jobless Benefits Decline Last Week

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits came back down last week, hovering near levels suggesting the U.S. labor market has been largely unaffected by the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes. Applications for jobless aid fell to 225,000 for the week ending Nov. 26, a decline of 16,000 from the previous week’s 241,000,…


What Are Your Employee Benefits Really Worth?

Benefits make up more than 30 percent of the typical job’s compensation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But figuring out what your benefits are worth isn’t always easy. You may need to do a little digging to find how much your employer contributes toward health insurance, retirement plans and other perks. Some…


The Unsure Future of Social Security and Your Retirement

In the past, Americans looked forward to the day they could retire and collect Social Security. It was something that you could count on because you had been paying for it your whole working life. Now, it seems this staple of life can no longer be counted on in the not-so-distant future. What the Social…


Average Social Security Payments Could Hit $1,800 Owing to Inflation

Inflation could drive up Social Security payments by a record-high level next year due to inflation, with average payments reaching $1,800, according to an analysis by the Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan group that focuses on issues related to older U.S. citizens. Based on the inflation data through August, the Senior Citizens League estimates the…


Does Spouse’s Income Affect Social Security Benefits?

For some people, it makes sense to start drawing Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age (FRA). But there are restrictions that attend this decision to draw benefits early. The Social Security Administration considers the act of drawing benefits as retirement. This means that recipients are restricted as to how much additional income they…


Fewer Americans Claim Jobless Benefits Last Week

NEW YORK—Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week as the labor market continues to stand out as one of the strongest segments of the U.S. economy. Applications for jobless aid for the week ending Aug. 20 fell by 2,000 to 243,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average for claims, which evens out…


Americans Filing Jobless Claims at Highest Level in 8 Months

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week rose to the highest level in more than eight months in what may be a sign that the labor market is weakening. Applications for jobless aid for the week ending July 16 rose by 7,000 to 251,000, up from the previous week’s 244,000, the Labor…


Why Life Insurance Has to Be Part of Your Wealth-Building Plan

By Mark J. Kohler Every day, life insurance companies pay death benefits to the beneficiaries of their policies, providing them with needed and certainly welcome funds. In essence, life insurance provides leverage: You pay a relatively small amount of money to the insurance company in the form of a “premium,” and the insurance company will provide a…