Author: Arabian Media staff

Most married couples have a joint bank account. But if your spouse dies, you may be surprised to find that the bank can freeze the account to protect your spouse’s estate. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in that situation—and how to prevent it before it happens. Key Takeaways As a surviving spouse, you could be locked out of your bank account if you have joint tenancy without the right of ownership or share tenancy in common.The bank must allow the account to go through the probate process in either of these cases.An account with the right of…

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The number of Americans who rely on Social Security retirement benefits for at least a portion of their retirement income is significant—as of September 2024, there were 54 million beneficiaries. However, Social Security beneficiaries could have their benefits reduced in the future. Here’s what pre-retirees should know about the possible benefit cut and how to plan for it. Key Takeaways The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that the OASDI trust that funds benefits will run dry in 2035.In 2035, those who receive retirement or disability benefits would have those benefits cut by 17%.The SSA announced a plan in February 2025…

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Rent is central to a landlord’s borrowing costs, especially when their property is financed with a debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) loan. Understanding how DSCR works may offer renters leverage when negotiating rent or lease terms. Key Takeaways The debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) measures how much of a property’s net operating income is available to cover its debt obligations.Landlords using DSCR loans must maintain a minimum ratio to afford loan payments.Renters who understand DSCR may be able to negotiate lower rent, especially in soft rental markets. What Is a DSCR Loan? A DSCR loan is a type of real estate financing…

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The backup doctor is always in favour of the second opinion. So it is in some ways unsurprising that credit rating agencies are jostling for position on the big business of assessing the riskiness of the multitrillion-dollar private debt market.That has produced an unusual new bunfight which, while esoteric, raises the question of how creditworthy such sometimes opaque instruments really are. It’s an issue that affects the big private credit firms that originate them and the returns of the insurers that buy…

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Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the US equities myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.US stocks rose after President Donald Trump indicated that trade talks with the EU were progressing in a “positive” direction, a day after agreeing to delay his threatened 50 per cent levies on the bloc.The S&P 500 was up 1.6 per cent in morning trading on Tuesday, with economically sensitive consumer cyclicals and tech companies among the biggest winners. All 11 of the benchmark index’s sectors were in positive territory.The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 1.9 per cent. In currency markets, the dollar index rose 0.4…

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Before entering the crypto scene and buying your first Bitcoin (or other token), you’ll need a crypto wallet—a tool that lets you manage, send, receive, and interact with cryptocurrencies. Choosing the right wallet is the first (and most important) step toward safely managing your digital assets. Here’s how to choose and set up the right crypto wallet, including hot vs. cold storage options and how to keep your wallet secure. Key Takeaways Crypto wallets are essential tools for sending, receiving, and storing Bitcoin and other tokens.There are two main types of wallets: hot wallets (online) and cold wallets (offline).Hot wallets…

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Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldNPR has sued Donald Trump over his executive order to halt federal funding for public broadcasters, the latest move in a simmering conflict between the news media and the US president. The public broadcaster claims Trump’s executive order violates the First Amendment’s press freedom guarantees and threatens a service that “millions of Americans rely on for vital news and information”. Other radio networks, including Colorado Public Radio and Aspen Public Radio, joined the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington on…

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Child support is an important financial commitment for families following a divorce. Ordered by the court, one parent pays child support to the other parent to support the needs of their shared child or children. There were $20.2 billion in child support payments made in cash in 2021. The average cash amount for child support per month was $441. “These payments help balance the financial responsibilities between parents and maintain a standard of living for the child that is as close as possible to what they would have experienced had the parents remained together,” says Anna Blood, family law attorney…

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