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Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesMedicare open enrollment kicked off on Oct. 15, with one notable difference for beneficiaries who are considering updating their health insurance plans — the federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1.Updates related to Medicare open enrollment — which runs through Dec. 7 — will continue during the government shutdown, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Because the federal shutdown may affect timely access to information, Philip Moeller, author of “Get What’s Yours for Medicare: Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs,” suggests holding off on finalizing coverage decisions for 2026 until…

The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible in reflection on October 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesAs the government shutdown stretches on, it’s not easy for borrowers to gauge what’s happening with their student loan debt.The Education Department has been sending out forgiveness notices to some borrowers, for example, but a lawsuit related to repayment plans and debt cancellation is on hold during the stalemate in Washington.One thing that’s not on pause: student loan payments. During the government shutdown, borrowers still need to pay their monthly bills, according to a…

Bill and Shelly GallBill and Shelly GallBill and Shelly Gall say they’d be rich if it weren’t for their medical bills.The early retirees, who are on an insurance plan purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, spent upwards of $20,000 on health-care expenses and insurance premiums in 2023 and in 2024, largely due to chronic health issues and emergency eye surgeries. The couple is on pace for a slightly smaller sum this year, if they’re lucky, Bill said. But next year, the Galls, who live in Meridian, Idaho, are bracing for their costs to grow significantly.Based on figures available through…

Prasit Photo | Moment | Getty ImagesDemand for exchange-traded funds is soaring as investors shift to lower-cost, tax-friendly options that are easier to buy and sell. But many people don’t know what they are purchasing, and mistakes could hurt their returns, financial experts say.  The ETF market has surpassed $11 trillion, near a record high, with $511 billion of inflows during the first half of 2025, Cerulli Associates, a financial services research firm, reported this week. However, “we are seeing some common mistakes that can quietly erode long-term returns,” said certified financial planner Jay Spector, co-chief executive officer of EverVest Financial…

Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. The theme of this year’s conference is “Global Economy in Transition: Finding Opportunity Amid Disruption.” Photographer: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg© 2025 Bloomberg Finance LPWe are approaching the blackout period ahead of the Fed’s upcoming meeting on 28-29 October, at which the Federal Open Market Committee is expected to cut interest rates according to fixed income markets. We have recently heard a number of speeches from Fed policymakers ahead of the pre-meeting limitation on public statements…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has touted the transformational potential of artificial intelligence long before it went mainstream.AFP via Getty ImagesA $1,000 investment in Nvidia (NVDA) five years ago would be worth more than $12,000 today. The chipmaker’s stock has enjoyed a remarkable run, fueled by surging demand for its high-powered GPUs amid the AI boom. This wasn’t a hype-driven rally. The stock never got ahead of its fundamentals; if anything, investors were late to recognize what Nvidia had been quietly building for years. When AI’s moment arrived, Nvidia was ready to embrace it.Nvidia Vs. SPY: Which Delivered Better Returns Over…

Lawrence Golub (left) speaks on stage at the Forbes/Shook Top Advisor Summit in Las Vegas.Santa Barbara Photography Lawrence Golub, billionaire founder and CEO of private credit firm Golub Capital, emphatically dismissed fears that the rapid growth of private credit, specifically direct lending, is leading to a bubble. Speaking at the ninth annual Forbes/SHOOK Top Advisor Summit in Las Vegas, NV, on Friday, Golub argued that direct lending continues to offer investors superior risk-adjusted returns and acts as a necessary hedging tool for traditional 60/40 portfolios with stocks and bonds. “It’s for sure not a bubble,” he said to a room…

Americans may feel somewhat removed from the Federal Reserve, but the central bank’s moves have a ripple effect on many types of consumer products, most notably the credit cards in their wallet.Nearly half of American households have credit card debt and pay more than 20% in interest, on average, on their revolving balances — making credit cards one of the most expensive ways to borrow money.”For millions of American households, credit card debt represents their highest-cost debt by a wide margin,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. Since most credit cards have a variable rate, there’s a direct connection to the…

Workers walk through the crypt of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.Valerie Plesch | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesWith a union lawsuit against the Trump administration on hold during the government shutdown, borrowers’ wait times for student loan forgiveness may get even longer.The American Federation of Teachers’ legal challenge against Trump officials will be stayed until Congress restores appropriations to the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said in an Oct. 4 filing. The government shuttered on Oct. 1 after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a spending deal.In its lawsuit,…

Alvaro Gonzalez | Moment | Getty ImagesMore from Financial Advisor Playbook:Here’s a look at other stories affecting the financial advisor business.Here are some key things to know about ACA health insurance subsidies — and how changes could impact future Roth conversions.How the ACA health insurance subsidies workEnacted via the Affordable Care Act, the premium tax credit was designed to make marketplace health insurance more affordable for Americans with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.In 2021, Congress expanded eligibility above 400% of the federal poverty level, a benefit that was extended through 2025. The legislation also capped…