Tara Siegel Bernard
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I write about money and consumer issues for The N.Y. Times. No longer active here. Instagram: @tsbreports Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/tarasiegelbernard.
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Articles by Tara Siegel Bernard
What Protections Exist for Binance’s Customers?
The staggering digital hack at Binance, where criminals made off with $6.3 billion in digital coins in a breach that the company revealed yesterday, is a reminder that putting money into cryptocurrency still involves a fair bit of risk. Binance has said it will reimburse customers who have experienced losses. It has no real choice but to make people whole, lest its customers’ confidence sink even further than it already has in the wake of such a large attack.
From Senate candidates, surprising stances on fixing Social Security
Republican senators rarely endorse raising taxes, especially from under the lights of a debate stage. But Sen. Roger Marshall, the Kansas incumbent seeking reelection, said he supported the idea to strengthen Social Security. “I would eliminate the cap altogether,” Marshall said in a debate on Oct. 21, referring to the $184,500 income ceiling on payroll taxes, the dedicated tax that finances the social insurance program.
How the Fed’s Decisions Affect Your Wallet
Though consumer prices continued to climb last month, the Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, after a quarter-point increase last month. But a December rate increase is possible — and that could make borrowing ahead of the holiday shopping season more expensive. Credit card rates, which closely track the Fed’s moves, have risen for the past three months to their highest level in nearly a year.
From Senate Candidates, Surprising Stances on Fixing Social Security
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Congress needs a plan to prevent the program’s funds from running short by 2032. Many Senate candidates have shared their positions — some of them unexpected. Senator Roger Marshall, Republican of Kansas, right, and his Democratic opponent for Senate, Adam Hamilton, debated in Kansas City last week. Credit...Charlie Riedel/Associated Press Oct.
How American Retirees on Different Incomes Rely on Social Security
If Congress doesn’t act, more than 60 million Americans could see their Social Security income drop by nearly a quarter in six years. That’s when Social Security’s retirement trust fund is expected to run dry, and incoming revenue would be enough to pay only 78% benefits, reducing every retiree’s paycheck by 22%. kAm%96 AC@8C2>[ H9:49 !C6D:56?E uC2?<=:? s] #@@D6G6=E D:8?65 :?E@ =2H :? `hbd 5FC:?8 E96 vC62E s6AC6DD:@?[ :D ?@E :?
How American retirees on different incomes rely on Social Security
If Congress doesn't act, more than 60 million Americans could see their Social Security income drop by nearly a quarter in six years. That's when Social Security's retirement trust fund is expected to run dry, and incoming revenue would be enough to pay only 78% benefits, reducing every retiree's paycheck by 22%. The program, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law in 1935 during the Great Depression, is not in danger of completely running out of money.
How American Retirees on Different Incomes Rely on Social Security
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. If Congress doesn’t act, more than 60 million Americans could see their Social Security income drop by nearly a quarter in six years. That’s when Social Security’s retirement trust fund is expected to run dry, and incoming revenue would be enough to pay only 78 percent benefits, reducing every retiree’s paycheck by 22 percent.
Most American children are being auto-enrolled in Trump accounts. What to know
Nearly all American children now have a new savings account with their name on it, as well as someone else’s: President Donald Trump’s. The Treasury Department said Thursday that it automatically enrolled more than 60 million children into Trump accounts, the tax-deferred savings vehicles also called 530A accounts that were introduced in July. The 530A accounts are essentially starter individual retirement accounts: Parents, guardians and others can contribute up to $5,000 annually.
Most American children are being auto-enrolled in Trump Accounts. What to know
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Tara Siegel Bernard and Claire Cain Miller, New York Times Nearly every child in America now has a new savings account with their name on it, as well as someone else’s: President Donald Trump’s. The Treasury Department said Thursday that it automatically enrolled more than 60 million children into Trump accounts, the tax-deferred savings vehicles also called 530A accounts that were introduced in July.
What to Know About Trump Accounts as More Than 60 Million Children Are Auto-Enrolled Original
What to Know About Trump Accounts as More Than 60 Million Children Are Auto-Enrolled - The New York Times
She Prosecutes Child Abuse. Her Student Loans Ended Up in Purgatory.
World News Now She went for a run and her daughter never saw her again CNN • 5m Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo went for a run and never came back. Nine women have been killed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the last two months, most in the their 20s and 30s, prompting fears it could be a serial killer.
She Prosecutes Child Abuse. Her Student Loans Ended Up in Purgatory. One county lawyer’s repayment saga stretches nearly 20 years, though she’s tried 22 times over the past 20 months to erase her debt. Christine Archer works as a prosecutor in Hendricks County, Ind., putting rapists and child abusers in prison.Credit...A.J. Mast for The New York Times Sept.
How the Fed’s Rate Increase Affects Your Finances. Original
How the Fed’s Rate Increase Affects Your Finances. The Federal Reserve increased its key rate by a quarter of a percentage point, but mortgages and other consumer loans have already trended higher. Sept. 16, 2026Updated 2:22 p.m. ET The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday, though broader market forces have already elevated borrowing costs on mortgages and other consumer loans.
Live Updates: Fed Faces a Credibility Test on Interest Rates
Latest Updated Sept. 16, 2026, 12:09 p.m. ET Colby Smith covers the Federal Reserve for The New York Times. The Federal Reserve is on the cusp of a momentous decision. The central bank is widely expected on Wednesday to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, to a new range of 3.75 percent to 4 percent. If the Fed follows through, it will be the first rate increase since July 2023. It would also immediately put Kevin M.
They were paying their student loans. Then the rules changed
Imagine for a moment that your bank changed the terms of a loan that you had been paying down for more than a decade. It informs you that it is increasing your payment and extending the term by five years. Any commercial bank would most likely be accused of violating basic contract law. So what happens when the federal government does it? As part of the Republican tax and policy law passed last year, Congress rewrote the rules for certain student loans.
What Rising Global Bond Rates Mean for Your Money
“Soaring” global bond yields. Global bond “sell-offs.” Headlines in recent days have included many scary words. But what do they mean for you and your money? As ever, the answer is this: It depends. It depends on whether you own bonds, what bonds you own and how soon you may need the money you invested. Many people who invest through popular funds in their workplace retirement accounts may know little about their bond holdings, even if they remember that they have roughly 30% of their money in bonds.
What rising global bond rates mean for your money
“Soaring” global bond yields. Global bond “sell-offs.” Headlines in recent days have included many scary words. But what do they mean for you and your money? As ever, the answer is this: It depends. It depends on whether you own bonds, what bonds you own and how soon you may need the money you invested. Many people who invest through popular funds in their workplace retirement accounts may know little about their bond holdings, even if they remember that they have roughly 30% of their money in bonds.
What Rising Global Bond Rates Mean for Your Money
What Rising Global Bond Rates Mean for Your Money If you own bonds, they may be in a broad fund that hasn’t lost much money. And that fund may do much better in the next several years. Credit...Robert Neubecker Sept. 2, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET “Soaring” global bond yields. Global bond “sell-offs.” Headlines in recent days have included many scary words. But what do they mean for you and your money? As ever, the answer is this: It depends.
Several Big Brokerages Leave Customer Accounts Open to Theft, Senators Say Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren, ranking Democrats on the Finance and Banking Committees, have urged regulators to require brokerages to provide stronger customer protections.
They Were Paying Their Student Loans. Then the Rules Changed.
Meta 19 hours ago 'Profits won.' The child safety trial against Meta kicks off in federal court NPR - John Ruwitch • 19h Sign up for alerts on breaking news and exclusive reporting from NPR OAKLAND, Calif. - A landmark trial got underway on Tuesday pitting Meta Platforms against a consortium of states accusing the company of designing its platforms to hook young users and misleading the public about it.
They Were Paying Their Student Loans. Then the Rules Changed.
They Were Paying Their Student Loans. Then the Rules Changed. In an unusual move, Congress worsened terms for some existing borrowers. Now they’ll have to pay more, and for a longer term. Matthew Hansen, a pharmacist in Sandy, Utah, borrowed $166,000 for graduate school.
Live Updates: Federal Reserve to Make a Close Call on Interest Rates
Latest July 29, 2026, 12:02 p.m. ET28 minutes ago Consumers are unlikely to see most of their borrowing costs change for the time being.Credit...Ariana Drehsler for The New York Times With the Federal Reserve expected to keep its benchmark steady again on Wednesday, consumers are unlikely to see many changes to their borrowing costs — at least for the moment.
Trump accounts offer free money but 529s may be a better fit
More than 7 million Trump accounts, a new tax-deferred investment account for children, have been opened so far, and parents of newborns may soon be able sign up before they leave the hospital.
Trump accounts offer free money but 529s may be a better fit
More than 7 million Trump accounts, a new tax-deferred investment account for children, have been opened so far, and parents of newborns may soon be able sign up before they leave the hospital.
Trump Accounts Offer Free Money but 529s May Be a Better Fit
More than seven million Trump accounts, a new tax-deferred investment account for children, have been opened so far, and parents of newborns may soon be able sign up before they leave the hospital.
Trump Accounts Offer Free Money but 529s May Be a Better Fit
More than 7 million Trump accounts, a new tax-deferred investment account for children, have been opened so far, and parents of newborns may soon be able sign up before they leave the hospital.
Social Security is trying to stabilize a year after DOGE cuts
By Tara Siegel Bernard | New York Times It has been more than a year since Elon Musk’s cost-cutting squad focused on the Social Security Administration and its vast amounts of data, spread falsehoods about widespread fraud and tried to use the agency to enforce the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
Social Security is trying to stabilize a year after DOGE cuts
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Tara Siegel Bernard | New York Times It has been more than a year since Elon Musk’s cost-cutting squad focused on the Social Security Administration and its vast amounts of data, spread falsehoods about widespread fraud and tried to use the agency to enforce the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
Social Security is trying to stabilize a year after DOGE cuts
It has been more than a year since Elon Musk’s cost-cutting squad focused on the Social Security Administration and its vast amounts of data, spread falsehoods about widespread fraud and tried to use the agency to enforce the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
Social Security Is Trying to Stabilize a Year After DOGE Cuts
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Social Security Is Trying to Stabilize a Year After DOGE Cuts The agency has been quietly hiring workers again, and its leadership is focused on improving technology to ease workloads left by the departure of about 7,800 staff members.
6 Things That Drive Us Crazy About Money in America
EDITORS NOTE: EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before 5:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, Jul. 4, 2026. No exceptions for any reasons.); (ART ADV: With illustrations. (Your Money) Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect and raise a glass to what makes the honoree unique -- and also give a bit of a roast. And so it goes with America and our approach to how we deal with money. We are awash in choices, which is fantastic until it isn't.
6 Things That Drive Us Crazy About Money in America
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect and raise a glass to what makes the honoree unique — and also give a bit of a roast. And so it goes with America and our approach to how we deal with money. We are awash in choices, which is fantastic until it isn’t.
6 Things That Drive Us Crazy About Money in America
(Your Money) Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect and raise a glass to what makes the honoree unique -- and also give a bit of a roast. And so it goes with America and our approach to how we deal with money. We are awash in choices, which is fantastic until it isn't. There are so many credit cards, for instance -- and influencers promoting them, and credit-counseling agencies to bail you out of debt, and bankruptcy lawyers standing by in case you're about to go under.
Parents Will Be Able to Enroll Newborns in Trump Accounts at the Hospital Original
Parents Will Be Able to Enroll Newborns in Trump Accounts at the Hospital The Social Security Administration will introduce a process to sign up babies for the investment program at the same time they are registered for a Social Security number. Frank J. Bisignano, the Social Security Administration commissioner, said parents would be able to take advantage of the Trump accounts “from the day a child is born.”Credit...Tierney L.
Judges Strike Down Trump Rule on Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Original
Judges Strike Down Trump Rule on Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Two federal courts have blocked a new Trump administration rule that could have narrowed eligibility for a student loan forgiveness program for public servants. Many public servants have staked their financial futures on the loan forgiveness program.
Education Dept. Lowers Student Loan Interest Rates for 2 Years
The Education Department will temporarily lower interest rates on outstanding federal student loans by up to 1 percentage point starting July 1, it said Thursday. The reduction will end on June 30, 2028. Just over one-third of federal student loan borrowers are current on their loans, Nicholas Kent, the undersecretary of education, said in a phone call with reporters. The department would like that to be higher -- hence the incentive, which is tied to enrollment in automatic payments.
Education Dept. Lowers Student Loan Interest Rates for 2 Years
21 hours ago Caleb Tutt's life looks much like that of many Gen Z professionals in London - rent, student debt and a routine shaped by commutes and convenience food. But there is one thing that is very different. He has the right to graze livestock on common land - a 680-year-old honour - in Llantrisant, a town …
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