MoneyGen Archives | Page 81 of 95

May

2023

5 Common Bank Account Bonuses

By Jamie Cattanach | Budgeting & Goals, money | Comments Off

Bank account bonuses let you earn money or other rewards just by banking, though there may be certain conditions you’ll need to meet.

Typically, bank account bonuses are offered one time, for opening a new account. However, some institutions give ongoing rewards as an incentive for doing business with them. Many bank bonuses require account holders to deposit or maintain a minimum amount of money or meet other qualifications.

Bank bonuses could be a good way to earn or save a little extra, especially if you’re already considering opening a new account or moving your money around.

How Do Bank Bonuses Work?

While the specifics depend on the bank, bank account bonuses are typically offered to new banking customers and they come with some specific stipulations.

Along with minimum account balances or opening deposits, bank sign-up bonuses may also require certain actions—such as making a certain number of debit card transactions or receiving a monthly threshold of direct deposits for several months running.

Once the account holder has opened the account and done whatever actions are required, the welcome bonus is usually deposited directly into their account.

Because some of the required actions may take time to be completed (and due to the bank’s processing procedures), it might be awhile before the account holder sees the bonus—sometimes 60 days or even as long as 120 days. In other words, a bank account bonus isn’t necessarily quick.

What’s more, bank bonuses frequently change as financial institutions review their needs and update their marketing strategies.

Why do banks offer these bonuses in the first place? By offering attractive bonuses, banks can distinguish themselves from the competition and perhaps win customers. They may specifically aim for clients who make large or regular deposits and transactions, all of which are good for the bank’s business.

5 Common Bank Account Bonuses

These are some specific types of bank bonuses you may come across when shopping around to open a new bank account.

1. Sign-Up Bonuses

One of the most common types of bank account bonuses are those designed for new customers of the bank in question.

Bank account sign-up bonuses, also sometimes called welcome deposits, range from about $100 to more than $500—though larger bonuses generally carry more stringent eligibility requirements. For instance, the bonus seeker may need to open both a checking and a savings account, and meet large minimum balance requirements.

Other common eligibility requirements include setting up direct deposit (and receiving a certain minimum threshold in direct deposits on a monthly basis for a specified number of consecutive months), making a certain number of debit card transactions within a given time frame of opening the account, and depositing a minimum amount into the account.

There are almost always stipulations and eligibility requirements for bank bonuses—which is why it’s important to read the fine print.

2. Bonuses for Upping the Ante

Another way banks might structure their bonus offers is to give higher rewards to those who are able to deposit more money into their accounts.

These institutions sometimes offer bonuses on a tiered system, with higher rewards available for those who are able to meet more strenuous eligibility requirements.

For other customers, a bank might offer a “basic” system of some sort, in which the new account holder will earn a small bonus for opening a new checking account and meeting relatively easy qualifications.

For instance, you might earn $200 if you’re able to fund your account with $5,000 and maintain that minimum balance for 60 consecutive calendar days.

That same bank might also offer a $400 reward for new customers who open both a checking and savings account and who can up that minimum balance to $15,000—or a $700 reward for those who can meet a minimum balance requirement of $50,000.

Higher tiers may come with additional privileges, such as waived fees, along with the bonus incentive.

3. Direct Deposit Bonuses

As mentioned above, many bank account bonuses require setting up—and receiving —direct deposit payments into the new account.

The direct deposits may need to reach a certain minimum amount per month or happen within a given time frame of opening the account. Each deposit may need to meet a certain minimum as well.

For example, one bank might require new account holders to receive $2,000 in direct deposit funds within 60 days, while another might require at least two direct deposits of $250 or more within 90 days of opening the account.

For some banks, simply setting up direct deposit is enough, but again, all this critical information will be in the fine print of the offer.

4. Checking and Savings Combo Bonuses

In some cases—as with the tiered rewards system outlined above—a bank may offer additional incentives to those who open both a checking and savings account.

For instance, a new customer might be able to earn $200 for opening a checking account and $150 for opening a savings account, totaling a welcome bonus of $350.

Of course, as with the other bonuses listed here, these rewards will likely come with stipulations and minimums, which could vary for each account.

Because of the nature of savings accounts, new account holders probably will need to maintain high minimum balances to qualify for the reward.

5. Waived Bank Fees

While it’s not the same as an extra $100 placed into an account, many banks offer the opportunity to waive monthly maintenance fees and other costs by maintaining certain minimum account balances or having a specific minimum number of direct deposits per statement cycle.

Although they’re generally small, monthly maintenance fees can eat into the account holder’s income, so having them waived can be a nice incentive.

The Fine Print

Bank bonuses can come in different types with different requirements, so it’s important to always read the fine print carefully. That’s where account holders will learn what exactly they have to do to get the bonus.

Also, there may be rules about what happens if you close your account early. Some banks will take back their bonus if you close your account shortly after meeting the bonus requirements, for instance.

These kinds of clauses mean it might not be wise—or even possible—to open multiple bank accounts to get a variety of bonuses.

It may be smarter to use bank sign-up bonuses as one factor to consider when you’re evaluating your options for switching banks.

The Takeaway

Although bank bonuses can certainly be valuable, they’re not always easy to earn. Depending on your personal financial situation, bank bonuses may or may not be worth it, especially if it means tying up a significant amount of your income to maintain high monthly minimums.

What’s more, as nice as a one-time bonus is, there are accounts that offer continual benefits to their clients over time. For instance, with SoFi Checking and Savings, you’ll earn a competitive APY, pay no account fees, and have no minimum balance to meet.

Bank smarter, and reap rewards, with SoFi Checking and Savings.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOBK0523004U

May

2023

Are Your Benefits Helping Women — Especially Moms — Achieve Financial Wellness?

By Walecia Konrad | Family Finances, Insurance, Life & Career | Comments Off

Despite progress, women, especially mothers, are still fighting hard to achieve equality in the workforce. According to a 2022 Financial Health Network study, 70% of women with children under the age of 18 say they have made significant career changes due to parenting responsibilities, compared to just 55% of men. Those changes include reducing hours, taking a leave of absence, switching to a less demanding job, and quitting a job.

This career instability can have a significant impact on women’s short-term financial wellness, as well as their long-term net worth and future security. At the same time, women leaving the workforce because of work/life balance issues has been a contributing factor in the persistent labor shortage.

One way employers can help women regain ground —- and help solve hiring and retention issues — is to tailor benefits to better fit their needs, priorities, and concerns. Companies that offer benefits packages that help address the gender gaps in financial wellness not only help women stay and advance in the workplace, but also promote a more equitable and productive workforce.

The Great “She-Cession”

Women were struggling with work/life balance and workplace inequities well before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the crisis brought these issues into stark relief. According to a report by the National Women’s Law Center, more than 2.3 million women left work during the 12 months ending in February 2021 compared with 1.8 million men.

Indeed, the pandemic-generated recession was quickly dubbed a “she-cession,” as more women than men left or lost their jobs compared to previous recessions.

Why were women so disproportionately affected? One reason is that many women work in hospitality, education, healthcare, retail, and other industries that were severely impacted by the pandemic. Another is that, as schools shut down, women were often the ones who pulled back from working in order to focus on the care and “Zoom schooling” of their children.

While many women have since returned to the workforce, the recovery has been uneven. Issues like resume gaps, the fact that women typically earn less than men, coupled with the persistent lack of affordable childcare continue to take a toll on the financial well-being of female workers.

What Employers Can Do

HR pros have been working on evening gender disparity for decades, and much progress has been made. But the pandemic shed new light on the stubborn underlying inequities that continue to burden employers and female employees alike.

Employers may find that making adjustments and additions to their benefits packages can help promote more gender equity at work while also allowing them to attract and retain top female talent. Here are some strategies you may want to consider.

Rethink Maternity Leave

paid parental leave your firm can offer, generally the better. Some companies are expanding leave for birthing parents beyond 12 weeks, offering as much as 26 weeks. Others are providing additional weeks of paid leave to parents of newborns who spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit.

A generous paid parental leave program not only helps attract female workers but also increases the likelihood that your existing women employees will return to their jobs after having or adopting a child, as opposed to dropping out of the workforce —- and leaving you with a new opening to fill.

Another question to consider is whether your parental leave policies apply to all types of families and parents, such as non-birth mothers, foster parents, and parents who use surrogates. Parental benefits provide an opportunity for building your inclusive benefits strategy.

Create Real Opportunities for Advancement

For every 100 entry-level men promoted to management, only 87 women are promoted, according to McKinsey & Company’s Women in the Workforce 2022 report. With little room for advancement and undervalued work, many women are leaving their employers for better opportunities elsewhere.

One way to counter this trend is to offer female employees a path to advancement through education and up-skilling/re-skilling opportunities. You might do this by offering tuition assistance programs and/or access to free (or discounted) training and certification programs. This can help female employees get ahead in their careers, earn more and, in turn, achieve greater financial stability. It can also propel women into the roles of the future where they are currently underrepresented, like data science, software development, and engineering.

Other initiatives that can improve female career mobility include: formal mentorships, sponsorships, women’s employee resource groups (ERGs), leadership circles, and career coaching workshops. If your company offers these programs, you’ll want to make sure women employees know about and have easy access to them.

Address the Childcare Crisis

When child-care centers shut down during the pandemic, nearly one-third of workers left the industry. Despite the post-pandemic reopening of offices, schools, and other businesses, employment in the childcare sector has not fully bounced back. That translates into many parents, especially moms at lower income levels, staying out of or exiting the workforce simply because they cannot find affordable childcare.

Employers can help fill the gap in several ways. On-site childcare is the most accommodating benefit. But on-site care is a big investment of infrastructure and resources that realistically only a small group of major employers can provide.

One alternative is to offer some type of emergency or backup child care support. Some companies do this by partnering with local daycare facilities and providing access to free or discounted childcare when a regular provider falls through. Other firms are offering employees stipends for online services, such as Care.com and SeekingSitters.com, that provide access to sitters at short notice.

Being open to and evaluating childcare support as you encourage your employees to come back to the office can be just the prompt reluctant employees need to embrace reentry.

Consider Returnships

Many employers are dealing with labor shortages. At the same time, there is a large pool of untapped talent among women who have fully or partially left the workforce. Many of those women want to return to work but find the gaps in their resumes and lack of current skills are holding them back.

To address both problems at once, some companies are offering “returnships.” Pioneered by finance leaders Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, these are internship programs that give returning caregivers the opportunity to brush up their skills or learn new ones. Returnships typically run for a few months, offering training, experience, and networking opportunities to workers – often mothers – who’ve been out of the workforce for an extended period of time.

Returnship programs not only give women who dropped out of the workforce a viable onramp, they also give employers a way to vet talent before making an official hire.

Address Student Debt

Student loan debt impacts nearly 43 million Americans and a disproportionate number are female. According to EducationData.org, women hold nearly 60% of all outstanding student debt and, despite making higher payments than men, take an average of two years longer to pay off their student loans. Female borrowers are also more likely than their male peers to have student loan debt from graduate school.

Student debt can have a negative impact on any employee’s financial (and overall) well-being. And right now, borrowers are feeling particularly uneasy, thanks to unknowns surrounding the return to repayment for federal loans and potential loan forgiveness. What is certain, though, is that student loan repayment benefits continue to grow in popularity and effectiveness. And, they may be particularly beneficial to female employees.

HR leaders will also want to keep in mind that employers can offer up to $5,250 in tax-exempt student loan repayment benefits through 2025, thanks to the CAREs Act of 2020. What’s more, the recent passage of the SECURE Act 2.0 allows companies to provide employees with a match on their retirement plans for making student loan payments starting in 2024. This can be a stand-alone offering, or part of a broader employee benefits program.

Offer Flexible, Women-Friendly Financial Wellness Benefits

Only one in five working-aged women are considered financially healthy versus nearly one in three working-aged men, according to the Financial Health Network’s 2022 report. The study also showed that women lag behind men in emergency and retirement savings. Only 42% of working-age women said they were confident they will have enough money to live off of in retirement, versus more than half of working-age men (53%).

High levels of debt, trouble making ends meet, worries about saving enough for the future (particularly with gaps in employment), all add a disproportionate amount of stress on women. Financial stress can impact every aspect of women’s lives, including productivity and happiness at work.

HR pros can make a huge impact on women employees by offering personalized, adaptive wellness benefits, such as debt management, emergency savings, tuition savings, retirement planning programs, and financial education. These benefits can help female employees plan and save for the future, feel less stressed about their finances, increase their focus and productivity on the job, and, importantly, change their financial lives for the better.

The Takeaway

Women are a vital part of any employer’s workforce. Benefits packages designed to address women’s specific needs can help employers attract and retain talented female employees. They can also help guarantee women, especially moms, have access to an equal playing field and a secure financial future.

SoFi at Work offers employers the benefits platform, education resources, and financial counseling that can help you assemble packages that help you increase employee productivity, loyalty, and overall well-being.

Photo credit: iStock/jacoblund

Products available from SoFi on the Dashboard may vary depending on your employer preferences.

Advisory tools and services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. 234 1st Street San Francisco, CA 94105.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans, Personal Loans, Private Student Loans, and Mortgage Loans are originated through SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org ). The 529 Savings and Selection Tool is provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. 2750 E. Cottonwood Parkway #300 Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. ©2024 Social Finance, LLC. All rights reserved. Information as of November 2024 and is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOBD0423002

May

2023

Contactless Payment: What You Need to Know

By Emma Diehl | Budgeting & Goals, money | Comments Off

More than 80% of Americans now use some form of contactless payment, such as a contactless credit card or debit card or a digital wallet feature. Tapping your card or phone when making a purchase has become much more common since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the growth of contactless payment is projected to continue.

While contactless payments have a number of benefits, there are also a few drawbacks to this payment method that it’s important to know about.

How Do Contactless Payments Work?

Contactless payment was born out of the credit card chip. Before then, most cards used the magnetic stripe, and consumers had to swipe at checkout.

When a chip card is inserted into a payment terminal, the machine reads the card’s security information, completing a safer transaction than the old swipe method. The payment terminal uses RFID (radio-frequency identification), to read the card’s chip.

When payment terminals were upgraded to read the chips, the technology grew by leaps and bounds. The tech that reads chips also enabled machines to accept payment with a simple tap from a card, phone with a mobile wallet, or even a watch.

Consumers can now connect their credit cards to their phone or smartwatch using technology like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Then they can tap to pay from their phone or watch at checkout.

💡 Quick Tip: Make money easy. Enjoy the convenience of managing bills, deposits, transfers from one online bank account with SoFi.

What Transactions Are Eligible for Contactless Payment?

For contactless credit card payment to work, both the terminal and card have to have the technology.

To determine if a payment terminal is contactless payment enabled, check for the symbol that looks like a WiFi signal turned on its side next to a hand with a card in it.

Nearly all plastic forms of payments, debit cards, and credit cards have a chip, but not all are eligible for contactless payment. To determine if your card is, look for the WiFi signal turned on its side somewhere on the card.

Pros of Contactless Payment

Contactless payment comes with some pros for the cardholder:

• Ease of use. With contactless payment, users just have to tap their chosen payment method on the terminal. There’s no swiping or inserting for the transaction to go through.

• Speed. Since there’s no swiping or inserting, contactless payments tend to be faster.

• Leave the wallet at home. If smartphone users have uploaded their credit and debit card information to their phone, they can pay for things using their phone.

• Security. Contactless payment with chips is more secure than traditional magnetic-strip credit cards. Contactless payments are encrypted. This system makes it much harder for credit card scammers to steal people’s credit card information.

• Hygiene. Dollar bills are dirty and can serve as host to germs. Alternatives like contactless payments keep touching to a minimum.

Overall, contactless payment may make for faster transactions, and might not even require you to pull out your wallet.

💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.

Cons of Contactless Payment

However, just like mobile banking has pros and cons, contactless payments do have some drawbacks, including:

• Glitches in technology. A card and point-of-sale system might not line up from time to time, resulting in glitches.

• It’s not available everywhere. While contactless payment is being adopted more and more, not every store has it. If there’s no symbol, customers will have to insert or even swipe to pay.

• Privacy. Contactless payment is generally secure, but when customers use payment apps on their smartphone or watch, they may be unknowingly sharing data from their device. In addition, scammers may also be able to skim a user’s credit card information from close proximity. You can buy protective sleeves and wallets to help prevent this.

• Limited transactions. It largely depends on bank policies, but because tap to pay doesn’t require authentication like signing or a PIN, there may be limits on withdrawals and purchase amounts. For more details on transaction limits, contact your bank or credit card company.

The Takeaway

While contactless payment isn’t foolproof, it can make purchasing transactions faster, easier, and more convenient. It’s also becoming commonplace as a payment method, and it’s more secure than cards with magnetic stripes. You can weigh the pros and cons of contactless payment to determine if it’s right for you.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

May

2023

The Economic Cost of Daylight Savings Time

Does Daylight Savings Time Cost the US Money?

By Bob Haegele | Family Finances, Life & Career, money | Comments Off

In most parts of the United States, people move their clocks back by one hour in the fall and move them forward by one hour in the spring. Many people have been doing this their entire lives, yet they don’t fully understand it. Perhaps still worse, many don’t know just how expensive daylight savings time can be.

Here, learning more about this topic, including:

• What is daylight savings time?

• What are the benefits of daylight savings time?

• How much does daylight savings time cost Americans?

• What would happen if daylight savings time was eliminated?

What Is Daylight Savings Time?

Daylight saving time (DST), commonly known as daylight savings time, refers to moving clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. You may be used to hearing this referred to as “spring forward, fall back,” which is the clever phrase people often use to help them remember which way to reset the clock.

The idea behind DST is to sync times of activity (work and school, for instance) with daylight, so less energy is needed for artificial illumination. Using less energy is, in turn, a way to live more sustainably.

A couple of bits of DST trivia:

• New Zealand entomologist George Hudson was the first to propose daylight saving time in 1895. Major countries adopted the standard shortly thereafter.

• The United States adopted DST with the Standard Time Act of 1918 and later with the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

While most states observe daylight saving time, there are some exceptions. For instance, it is not observed in Hawaii and most of Arizona. It is also not observed in Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The places in the U.S. that don’t have DST generally have a lot of sunlight year-round, making the practice far less appealing.

Countries around the world observe daylight saving time as well. That includes most of Canada and Europe, plus parts of Asia and South America.

Who Benefits From Daylight Savings Time?

Given that daylight savings time has been a fact of life for many years, you might wonder why exactly it exists. What are the pros of this system? Here are some answers:

• Typically, daylight savings time is credited with saving energy. Proponents of DST say it reduces energy usage, thus improving the financial health of the country.

One study from the Department of Energy showed that daylight saving time leads to a mere 0.5% reduction in energy usage, however. And economist Kurt Rankin notes the evidence around reduced energy usage is inconclusive, with some studies asserting that there would be no economic impact of daylight savings time on energy usage at all.

• A common belief is that industries like tourism and retail might benefit from daylight saving time. The idea is that more hours of daylight in the warm months incentivizes more people to give these businesses their patronage. Again, though, there is debate about the efficacy of this. Rankin says there is no evidence to support this claim.

• There could be certain social benefits of daylight saving time, such as a reduction in robbery and sexual assault. Longer days mean people spend less time outside after dark, which might reduce these crimes.

How Much Does Daylight Savings Cost Americans?

Now that you know what daylight savings time is and its goals, here’s some intel on the other side of the story: What is the cost of daylight savings time?

The exact cost (or benefit) of daylight saving time is difficult to estimate because there are many variables. A frequently cited study places the cost at $430 million annually, a figure that could lead to significant money depression. The research credited the time change with lowering productivity and increasing health issues.

But the true cost can be tough to estimate. Part of the difficulty of estimating the cost of DST is that the impact is not the same for everyone. For instance, some industries, such as agriculture, are negatively impacted by DST. But others, like tourism, sports, and retail, believe daylight saving time helps their businesses.

Daylight saving time can also lead to reduced productivity for workers after they spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep. Sleep experts say the change in sleep patterns can affect people’s circadian rhythm for weeks. While also difficult to measure, the cost of lost sleep can be significant.

Recommended: Tips for Saving Money Daily

What Would Happen if Daylight Savings Time Was Removed?

The immediate impact of removing daylight saving time is that clocks would stay the same year-round. No longer would you fall back in November and spring ahead in March. This could help keep sleeping patterns more consistent year-round, potentially increasing quality of life.

Without DST in the United States, you would also enjoy light later in the day in the winter months. However, the sun would rise later, which could mean groggy mornings. The inverse would be true for the summer. The sun would rise very early in the morning, but it would also set earlier.

(In parts of the world that are close to the equator, the length of days is not as varied throughout the year. Thus, changing the clocks would have little impact on these parts of the globe.)

Some groups suggest there could be a real benefit to removing DST for office workers. For instance, one study from the University of Alabama Birmingham suggests losing an hour of sleep in the spring increases the risk of heart attack. While some say DST contributes to increased traffic accidents and deaths, others say the difference is insignificant.

As you see, there are many viewpoints to consider in this debate about DST.

The Takeaway

Daylight saving time, or DST, involves setting the clocks back one hour in the fall and forward one hour in the spring. There is a debate about the value of this system, which is designed to provide daylight when it’s needed most. Some believe it boosts productivity; others say the cost of daylight savings time in the U.S. is actually hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition, there is a debate about the potential health impacts of changing the clocks.

3 Money Tips

1. Typically, checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, some accounts do, and online banks are more likely than brick-and-mortar banks to offer you the best rates.

2. If you’re creating a budget, try the 50/30/20 budget rule. Allocate 50% of your after-tax income to the “needs” of life, like living expenses and debt. Spend 30% on wants, and then save the remaining 20% towards saving for your long-term goals.

3. When you overdraft your checking account, you’ll likely pay a non-sufficient fund fee of, say, $35. Look into linking a savings account to your checking account as a backup to avoid that, or shop around for a bank that doesn’t charge you for overdrafting.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Does daylight saving time save money?

The main way in which daylight saving time might save money is with lower energy costs. For example, it would cause people to have lights on for an hour less time in the evening, potentially saving energy. However, the Department of Energy released a study showing the energy savings to be just 0.5% per household on average.

How does daylight saving time boost the economy?

Some sectors, such as retail, believe daylight saving time can provide an economic boost by giving people an extra hour of daylight to go shopping. But the real-world evidence for this kind of idea tends to be mixed.

What are the downsides to daylight savings?

In today’s economy, the biggest downside to daylight savings might be the negative effect it has on workers when they lose an hour of sleep in the spring. For instance, it could lead to lost productivity due to drowsiness in the days and weeks after we spring ahead. Others believe it can lead to more severe consequences, such as an increase in the number of car accidents and heart attacks. However, the evidence for these more extreme impacts is inconclusive.

Photo credit: iStock/baona

May

2023

11 Financial Steps to Take After a Spouse’s Death

11 Financial Planning Steps to Take After a Spouse’s Death

By Bob Haegele | Financial Independence, Life & Career, money | Comments Off

The death of a spouse can be one of the hardest things a person ever has to go through. It can be extremely difficult to process how we feel during such a difficult time. In addition, losing a spouse can also cause financial strain.

Depending on the circumstances, it could mean a loss of income or a bigger tax bill. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to avoid the worst impacts of an already precarious situation.

Here. you’ll learn 11 financial steps to take after a spouse’s death. This insight can help as you move through a deeply challenging time.

The Difficulty of Losing a Spouse

As you navigate this difficult and uncertain time, it’s important to surround yourself with the right people. A spouse can be someone’s biggest source of emotional support, and you may need someone to provide that support where your spouse would have in the past.

Who that person might be won’t be the same for everyone. Perhaps you have a relative or a close friend who will be there for you. If necessary and if you have the means, you could also consider working with a professional therapist. For many people, the best solution will be to talk to a few people.

During this time of tremendous grief and stress, it can be wise to remember to take care of yourself. While there will be a lot to manage during this time, it’s important to get the rest, good nutrition, and the other forms of self-care that you need.

11 Financial Steps to Take After Losing a Spouse

Taking the right steps after losing a spouse can help you avoid financial stress later. You should ensure you have documents in order, update records, and submit applications as necessary.

Here are 11 steps that will help with this endeavor and can provide a form of financial self-care as you get these matters under control.

1. Organize Documents

One of your first steps should be to gather and organize documents. You may need several documents, such as a birth certificate, death certificate, and marriage license. You will likely want to order or make several copies of each, as you might need them multiple times as you work through the steps ahead.

2. Update Financial Accounts

You may have several financial accounts that need updating, especially if you and your spouse had joint finances. For example, you might have checking, savings, and investment accounts with both names. You might also have credit cards in both names. Contact the financial institution for each account and let them know it needs updating.

3. Review Your Spouse’s Estate and Will

Review your spouse’s estate and will to see how their assets should be handled. Their planning documents, such as a will, are usually filed with an attorney or held in a safety deposit box. Contact the attorney with whom your spouse filed the documents to find the paperwork if necessary.

If they didn’t already have a will or estate plan, you can work with an attorney to determine next steps. State law will likely play a role in determining how assets are managed. Working with a lawyer skilled in this area can be an important aspect of financial planning after the death of a spouse.

4. Review Retirement Accounts

Your spouse may have left retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA). Check whether you are the beneficiary of your spouse’s retirement accounts. If you are the beneficiary of any of them, you will need to establish that with the institution holding the account. When that’s settled, it will likely be up to you to determine how to handle the funds.

While it is possible to transfer all of the money to your accounts, that isn’t always the best move. For instance, if you roll a 401(k) into your IRA and need the money before age 59½, there will be a 10% penalty on the withdrawal. There may be tax consequences, too.

In some cases, the best choice may be to leave the money where it is until you reach retirement age, if you haven’t already.

5. Consider Your Tax Situation

A spouse’s death can also create tax complications. For example, the tax brackets when filing as an individual are lower than those for married couples filing jointly. If you are still working, you might find yourself suddenly in a higher tax bracket, especially if you are the breadwinner. As a result, you might decide to reduce your taxable income by putting more money in a traditional IRA or 401(k).

6. Review Social Security Benefits

Another financial step to take after a spouse’s death: Review Social Security benefits if your partner was already receiving them. If you’re working with a funeral director, check if they notified the Social Security Administration of your spouse’s passing; if not, you may take steps to do so by calling 800-772-1213.

If you were both receiving benefits, you might be able to receive a higher benefit in the future. Which option makes the most sense depends on each of your incomes.

For instance, if your spouse made significantly more, you might opt for a survivor benefit.

Recommended: 9 Common Social Security Myths

7. Apply for Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits let you claim an amount as much as 100% of your spouse’s Social Security benefit. For instance, if you are a widow or widower and are at your full retirement age, you can claim 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit. Another option is to apply for a survivor benefits now and receive the other, higher benefit later.

You can learn more about survivors benefits on the Social Security website.

8. Review Your Budget

If you had joint finances with your spouse, you should revise your budget. Chances are, both your expenses and your income have changed. While you may have lost the income your spouse earned, your Social Security benefits may have increased.

Your revised budget should reflect all these changes and reflect how to make ends meet in your new situation. This kind of financial planning after the death of the spouse can be invaluable as you move forward.

9. Downsize if Necessary

As you review your budget, you may realize your living expenses will be too much to cover without your spouse’s income. Maybe you want a fresh start, or maybe you decide the big house you owned together is too much space these days. You might move into a smaller house and sell a car you no longer need.

Whatever the case, downsizing your life can be a way to not only lower costs but also simplify things as you enter this new phase. Financial planning for widows

10. File a Life Insurance Claim

If your spouse had a life insurance policy with you as the beneficiary, now is the time to file a claim. It might include a life insurance death benefit. You can start by contacting your insurance agent or company. Life insurance claims can sometimes take time to process, so it’s best to submit the claim as soon as possible.

Your spouse might have had multiple policies as well, such as an individual policy and a group policy through work. You might have to do some research and file multiple claims as a result. And, once you receive a life insurance benefit, you will need to make a decision about the best place for that money.

11. Meet With a Financial Advisor

These steps might be a lot to process, and you might feel overwhelmed thinking about everything you must do. And you may not know the best way to handle the myriad decisions — benefits, retirement accounts, investments, etc. You likely don’t want to make an unwise decision, nor wind up raising your taxes.

Fortunately, some financial advisors specialize in this very situation. It can be worth meeting with one at this moment in your life, at least for a consultation. They can help you decide how to handle your assets as you move forward and help you do some financial planning for widows. That can help to both reduce your money stress and set you up for a more secure future.

The Takeaway

For many people, there is nothing more emotionally challenging than losing a spouse. It can also be a financially challenging time as well. As you navigate this difficult time, there is no shame in seeking a helping hand. By taking steps like reviewing estate plans, filing a life insurance claim, and applying for survivor benefits, you can take control of your finances as you move into this new stage of life.

3 Money Tips

1. If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal

2. When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Which is the most important financial step to take after a spouse’s death?

There isn’t one single step that is most important. However, filing insurance claims, reviewing your spouse’s will, applying for any survivor benefits, and updating financial accounts are among some of the important moves to make.

How can I help a widow financially?

How you can help a widow depends on your expertise and how long it has been since the widow lost their spouse. If the death happened recently, they might still need help submitting documents and updating accounts. However, they might need emotional support long after that process is done.

Are there any tax breaks for widows?

Widows may qualify for certain tax breaks, such as state property tax credits. Check with your state’s department of revenue to find out what tax breaks are available, if any.

Photo credit: iStock/martin-dm

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOBK1122017

5 Common Bank Account Bonuses

How Do Bank Bonuses Work?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

5 Common Bank Account Bonuses

1. Sign-Up Bonuses

2. Bonuses for Upping the Ante

3. Direct Deposit Bonuses

4. Checking and Savings Combo Bonuses

5. Waived Bank Fees

The Fine Print

The Takeaway

Are Your Benefits Helping Women — Especially Moms — Achieve Financial Wellness?

The Great “She-Cession”

What Employers Can Do

Rethink Maternity Leave

Create Real Opportunities for Advancement

Address the Childcare Crisis

Consider Returnships

Address Student Debt

Offer Flexible, Women-Friendly Financial Wellness Benefits

The Takeaway

Contactless Payment: What You Need to Know

How Do Contactless Payments Work?

What Transactions Are Eligible for Contactless Payment?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Pros of Contactless Payment

Cons of Contactless Payment

The Takeaway

Does Daylight Savings Time Cost the US Money?

What Is Daylight Savings Time?

Who Benefits From Daylight Savings Time?

How Much Does Daylight Savings Cost Americans?

What Would Happen if Daylight Savings Time Was Removed?

The Takeaway

3 Money Tips

FAQ

Does daylight saving time save money?

How does daylight saving time boost the economy?

What are the downsides to daylight savings?

11 Financial Planning Steps to Take After a Spouse’s Death

The Difficulty of Losing a Spouse

11 Financial Steps to Take After Losing a Spouse

1. Organize Documents

2. Update Financial Accounts

3. Review Your Spouse’s Estate and Will

4. Review Retirement Accounts

5. Consider Your Tax Situation

6. Review Social Security Benefits

7. Apply for Survivor Benefits

8. Review Your Budget

9. Downsize if Necessary

10. File a Life Insurance Claim

11. Meet With a Financial Advisor

The Takeaway

3 Money Tips

FAQ

Which is the most important financial step to take after a spouse’s death?

How can I help a widow financially?

Are there any tax breaks for widows?

CATEGORIES

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Student Loan Refinancing

Personal Loans

Online Investments

Other

Student Loan
Refinancing

Personal
Loans

Online
Investments