His Distributor Went Bankrupt Owing Him $80,000. When the Commission Check Finally Came, Social Security Asked When He Earned It.
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When an $80,000 Check Finally Lands
Picture a longtime liquor sales representative whose distributor collapses while owing him roughly $80,000 in commissions. At 63, he retires, files for Social Security early, and picks up a little part-time work to stay busy.
Walmart Stock Has Been Sluggish This Year. Should You Buy it Before It Reports Earnings on Aug. 20?
Walmart (WMT -0.39%) stock had been on an incredible run until recently. The Dividend King, which has raised its dividend annually for the past 53 years, had been beating the market as investors bought into its safety and reliability.
That came to an abrupt end earlier this year when management cautioned that momentum may be slowing down.
Read MoreBonds face bigger threat than Federal Reserve as global rates climb
Government bond yields across the US, UK, and eurozone hit their highest levels of the month in mid-August 2026, driven not by Fed policy shifts but by inflation fears stoked by geopolitical instability. Brent crude surged to roughly $90 per barrel after US-Iran peace negotiations stalled, climbing 2.6% in a single session and approximately 13% over the preceding week.
» Read more about: Bonds face bigger threat than Federal Reserve as global rates climb »
Read MoreRetirees Worried About Possible Social Security Cuts Risk Making Matters Worse if They Do This
When you were younger, you might have thought of retirement as a time of freedom, a reward after a long career. But now you’re there, and it feels anything but rewarding. You’re living on a fixed income with no idea how long that money has to last you, and you’re scared that Social Security will be cut by 22% in just a few years.
Read MoreCongress Is Finally Taking Social Security's Financial Crisis Seriously, But a Fix Could Still Be a Long Way Off
Social Security is now just six years away from a possible 22% benefit cut, according to the latest Trustees’ Report. It’s made for a lot of scary headlines over the last few months, and for many people, it might be the first time they’ve learned how serious Social Security’s financial situation actually is.
But this wasn’t news to Washington.
Read MoreThe Burst
Market Commentary: Valentine’s Day Massacre Begins Now
For investors who are only familiar with stock investing, the options market can seem like a great unknown. That market is so large that it can sometimes act like the tail wagging the dog.
As we approach the monthly expiration of options in February, the risks to the market grow. That fact is well understood by one analyst,
» Read more about: Market Commentary: Valentine’s Day Massacre Begins Now »
Read MoreThe Ivy
1 Salad Stock Quietly Growing Fast
Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) has been a darling of health-conscious urban dwellers for years. Even those who steer clear of salads have often been converted to raving fanatics after trying their tasty options and home-made salad dressings.
The most recent quarterly report revealed a mixed bag of news,
» Read more about: 1 Salad Stock Quietly Growing Fast »
Read MoreThe Spotlight
1 Fast-Growing Stock Targeting $86 Billion Market
Working in healthcare is not an especially easy job. Staying cool under pressure, paying attention to detail, and supporting patients through pain and fear are priorities during every shift — and shifts can be shockingly long.
Hospital shifts are often 12 hours, and that can stretch to 16 or 18 hours in a staffing crunch.
» Read more about: 1 Fast-Growing Stock Targeting $86 Billion Market »