Connect with us

Personal Finance

Vance wants to raise the child tax credit to $5,000

Published

on

The Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance, speaks at a campaign rally at NMC-Wollard Inc. / Wollard International in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Aug. 7, 2024.

Adam Bettcher | Getty Images

Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, former President Donald Trump‘s GOP running mate, wants to more than double the child tax credit. But the increase could be difficult to enact, policy experts say.

“I’d love to see a child tax credit that’s $5,000 per child. But you, of course, have to work with Congress to see how possible and viable that is,” he said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Vance’s idea would be a “relatively large expansion” compared to the current benefit worth up to a maximum of $2,000 per child for 2024, according to Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst and modeling manager at the Tax Foundation.

More from Personal Finance:
Tim Walz vs. JD Vance: Here’s what the candidates could mean for your wallet
Here’s how Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz could help shape the child tax credit
The expanded child tax credit failed in the Senate. Here’s what it means for families

Without action from Congress, the maximum child tax credit will drop from $2,000 to $1,000 once Trump’s 2017 tax cuts expire after 2025.

During the pandemic, lawmakers temporarily increased the maximum child tax credit from $2,000 to either $3,000 or $3,600, depending on the child’s age. Families received up to half via monthly payments for 2021.

The child poverty rate fell to a historic low of 5.2% in 2021, largely due to the credit’s expansion, according to a Columbia University analysis.

Senate failed to pass a child tax credit expansion

Vance’s comments come less than two weeks after Senate Republicans blocked an expanded child tax credit that passed in the House in January with bipartisan support.

If enacted, the bill would have improved child tax credit access and retroactively boosted the refundable portion of the tax break, which could have triggered refund checks from the IRS.

Democrats held the vote partially in response to Vance, who has positioned himself as a pro-family candidate. But the bill was expected to fail without a consensus from Senate Republicans on credit design.

Kamala Harris' tax proposals focus on social issues

Vance wasn’t present for the recent Senate vote but described it as a “show vote” during the CBS interview, noting that it wouldn’t have passed even if he were there.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will “continue to fight for an expanded child tax credit,” National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said in a statement.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

How Vance’s $5,000 child tax credit might work

“The child tax credit is obviously a priority of Democrats across the country,” said Richard Auxier, a principal policy associate for the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

However, Vance’s idea for expansion could be challenging as lawmakers face growing concerns over the federal budget deficit.

Increasing the child tax credit to $5,000 could cost “somewhere in the neighborhood of about $3 trillion” over 10 years, Watson from the Tax Foundation said.

“The immediate question is, of course, how to navigate the cost,” on top of other proposed changes, including extensions for Trump’s expiring tax cuts, he said.

There are also questions about Vance’s proposed child tax credit design, how Vance’s idea might work, including eligibility, work requirements and income phase-outs.

“Many Republicans are very skeptical of moving the child tax credit in a direction that would remove the work requirements of the phase-in,” meaning they only want employed families to claim the credit, Watson said.

Vance’s proposal could revive this debate within conservative and Republican circles as the 2025 deadline approaches, he said.

Continue Reading

Personal Finance

As Real ID deadline approaches, there are ‘workarounds,’ experts say

Published

on

Hinterhaus Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images

The deadline for U.S. travelers to get a Real ID is fast approaching — and those who don’t have one may not be able to board flights within the U.S.

The Real ID card is an optional, upgraded driver’s license or state identification card that is issued by a state driver’s licensing agency and marked with a star.

The good news: There are other forms of identification U.S. travelers can use — such as a valid U.S. passport, passport card, permanent resident card, or certain Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards — if they can’t get a Real ID by the deadline, May 7.

“There are workarounds people can use,” said John Breyault, a travel expert at the National Consumers League, a consumer advocacy group. “Most people already have the ability to travel, whether they have a Real ID or not.”

About 19% of travelers don’t yet have a Real ID-compliant type of identification, according to Transportation Security Administration data as of Thursday.

Passengers who arrive at the airport without an acceptable form of ID “can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,” according to the TSA.

Even passengers who have a Real ID card or other acceptable ID should aim to be at the airport at least 1½ hours ahead of their flight, due to likely delays in airport security lines as enforcement gets underway, Breyault said.

What is the Real ID law?

Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005. The law set minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards.

The federal government will require Americans who access federal facilities to have a Real ID starting May 7. That includes travelers who go through TSA airport security checkpoints and board commercial airplanes, even for domestic flights.

The rule applies to all airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck members.

How to get around the Real ID rule

Travelers can skirt the requirement to present a Real ID card if they have other types of approved identification.

Experts said the most common among them are: a passport or passport card; a Global Entry card; an enhanced driver’s license issued by Washington state, Michigan, Minnesota, New York or Vermont; or a permanent resident card, also known as a green card.

Here’s a list of all acceptable alternatives, according to the TSA:

  • State-issued enhanced driver’s license
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • Department of Homeland Security-issued trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident card
  • Border crossing card
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

‘Get that Real ID’

It may be somewhat riskier to travel with an alternative document such as a passport for domestic flights, said Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet.

“A passport is much more complicated to replace than a driver’s license, and it’s more expensive,” French said. “Get that Real ID.”

A traditional passport book costs $130 to renew. Real ID fees vary by state but are generally less costly, experts said. They typically aren’t more expensive than a standard driver’s license.

For example, in California it costs $45 to renew a standard driver’s license or $39 to renew a regular ID card; in Virginia, there’s a $10 one-time Real ID fee, plus a driver’s license fee, usually $32.

Desperate travelers can also gamble by showing up at the airport without a Real ID-compliant form of identification on May 7 and beyond, and hope airport agents show some mercy, French said.

It’s a “much longer screening” process and isn’t guaranteed, French said. It’s a “Hail Mary,” she said.

Continue Reading

Personal Finance

What student loan forgiveness opportunities still remain under Trump

Published

on

Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images

Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Education made regular announcements that it was forgiving student debt for thousands of people under various relief programs and repayment plans.

That’s changed under President Donald Trump.

In his first few months in office, Trump — who has long been critical of education debt cancellation — signed an executive order aimed at limiting eligibility for the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and his Education Department revised some student loan repayment plans to no longer conclude in debt erasure.

“You have the administration trying to limit PSLF credits, and clear attacks on the income-based repayment with forgiveness options,” said Malissa Giles, a consumer bankruptcy attorney in Virginia.

The White House did not respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

Here’s what to know about the current status of federal student loan forgiveness opportunities.

Forgiveness chances narrow on repayment plans

The Biden administration’s new student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, isn’t expected to survive under Trump, experts say. A U.S. appeals court already blocked the plan in February after a GOP-led challenge to the program.

SAVE came with two key provisions that lawsuits targeted: It had lower monthly payments than any other federal student loan repayment plan, and it led to quicker debt erasure for those with small balances.

“I personally think you will see SAVE dismantled through the courts or the administration,” Giles said.

But the Education Department under Trump is now arguing that the ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals required it to end the loan forgiveness under repayment plans beyond SAVE. As a result, the Pay As You Earn and Income-Contingent Repayment options no longer wipe debt away after a certain number of years.

More from Personal Finance:
Nearing retirement? These strategies can protect from tariff volatility
Experts see higher stagflation risks. Here’s what it means for your money
Should investors dump U.S. stocks for international equities? What experts think

There’s some good news: At least one repayment plan still leads to debt erasure, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. That plan is called Income-Based Repayment.

If a borrower enrolled in ICR or PAYE eventually switches to IBR, their previous payments made under the other plans will count toward loan forgiveness under IBR, as long as they meet the IBR’s other requirements, Kantrowitz said. (Some borrowers may opt to take that strategy if they have a lower monthly bill under ICR or PAYE than they would on IBR.)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness remains

Despite Trump‘s executive order in March aimed at limiting eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the program remains intact. Any changes to the program would likely take months or longer to materialize, and may even need congressional approval, experts say.

PSLF, which President George W. Bush signed into law in 2007, allows many not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of payments.

What’s more, any changes to PSLF can’t be retroactive, consumer advocates say. That means that if you are currently working for or previously worked for an organization that the Trump administration later excludes from the program, you’ll still get credit for that time — at least up until when the changes go into effect.

For now, the language in the president’s executive order was fairly vague. As a result, it remains unclear exactly which organizations will no longer be considered a qualifying employer under PSLF, experts said.

However, in his first few months in office, Trump has targeted immigrants, transgender and nonbinary people and those who work to increase diversity across the private and public sector. Many nonprofits work in these spaces, providing legal support or doing advocacy and education work.

For now, those pursuing PSLF should print out a copy of their payment history on StudentAid.gov or request one from their loan servicer. They should keep a record of the number of qualifying payments they’ve made so far, said Jessica Thompson, senior vice president of The Institute for College Access & Success.

“We urge borrowers to save all documentation of their payments, payment counts, and employer certifications to ensure they have any information that might be useful in the future,” Thompson said.

Other loan cancellation opportunities to consider

Federal student loan borrowers also remain entitled to a number of other student loan forgiveness opportunities.

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program offers up to $17,500 in loan cancellation to those who’ve worked full time for “complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency,” among other requirements, according to the Education Department.

(One thing to note: This program can’t be combined with PSLF, and so borrowers should decide which avenue makes the most sense for them.)

Student loan matching funds

In less common circumstances, you may be eligible for a full discharge of your federal student loans under Borrower Defense if your school closed while you were enrolled or if you were misled by your school or didn’t receive a quality education.

Borrowers may qualify for a Total and Permanent Disability discharge if they suffer from a mental or physical disability that is severe and permanent and prevents them from working. Proof of the disability can come from a doctor, the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

With the federal government rolling back student loan forgiveness measures, experts also recommend that borrowers explore the many state-level relief programs available. The Institute of Student Loan Advisors has a database of student loan forgiveness programs by state.

Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO

Continue Reading

Personal Finance

Many Americans are worried about running out of money in retirement

Published

on

M Swiet Productions | Getty Images

Many Americans are worried they’ll run out of money in retirement.

In fact, a new survey from Allianz Life finds that 64% Americans worry more about running out of money than they do about dying. Among the reasons cited for those fears include high inflation, Social Security benefits not providing enough support and high taxes.

The fear of running out of money was most prominent for Gen Xers who are approaching retirement. However, a majority of millennials and baby boomers also said they worry about their money lasting, according to the online survey of 1,000 individuals conducted between January and February.

Separately, a new Employee Benefit Research Institute report finds most retirees say they are living the lifestyle they envisioned and are able to spend money within reason. Yet more than half of those surveyed agreed at least somewhat that they spend less because of worries they will run out of money, according to the survey of more than 2,700 individuals conducted between January and February.

More from Personal Finance:
Nearing retirement? These strategies can protect from tariff volatility
Experts see higher stagflation risks. Here’s what it means for your money
Should investors dump U.S. stocks for international equities? What experts think

Meanwhile, a Northwestern Mutual survey reported that 51% of Americans think it’s “somewhat or very likely” they will outlive their savings. The survey polled 4,626 U.S. adults aged 18 and older in January.

Since those studies were conducted, new tariff policies have caused disturbance in the stock markets and prompted speculation that inflation may increase. Meanwhile, new leadership at the Social Security Administration has prompted fears about the continuity of benefits. Those headlines may negatively affect retirement confidence, experts say.

With employers now providing a 401(k) plan and other savings plans versus pensions, it is largely up to workers to manage how much they save heading into retirement and how much they spend once they reach that life stage. That responsibility can also lead to worries of running out of money in the future, experts say.

How to manage the ‘fear of outliving your resources’

Because of the unique risks every individual or couple faces when planning for retirement, the best approach is typically to transfer some of that burden to a third party, said David Blanchett, head of retirement research at PGIM DC Solutions.

Creating a guaranteed lifetime income stream that covers essential expenses can help reduce the financial impact of any events that require retirees to cut back on spending, Blanchett explained.

That should first start with delaying Social Security benefits, he said. While eligible retirees can claim benefits as early as 62, holding off up until age 70 can provide the biggest monthly benefits. Social Security is also unique in that it provides annual adjustments for inflation.

73% of Americans are financially stressed

Next, retirees may want to consider buying a lifetime income annuity that can help amplify the monthly income they can expect. Admittedly, those products can be complicated to understand. Therefore Blanchett recommends starting out by comparing very basic products like single premium immediate annuities that are easier to compare.

“Unless you do those things, you just can’t get rid of that fear of outliving your resources,” Blanchett said.

Without a guaranteed income stream, retirees bear all of the financial risk themselves, he said.

 “Retirement could last 10 years; it could last 40 years,” Blanchett said. “You just don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

Among retirees, there has been some hesitation to buy annuities, said Craig Copeland, EBRI’s director of wealth benefits research. Such a purchase requires parting with a lump sum of money in exchange for the promise of a guaranteed income stream.

“We see great increase in interest, but we aren’t seeing upticks in take up yet,” Copeland said. “I do think that’s going to start to change.”

What can help boost retirement confidence

To effectively plan for retirement, it helps to seek professional financial assistance, experts say.

Meanwhile, few people have a plan of their own for how they may live on the assets they’ve worked hard to accumulate, according to Kelly LaVigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life.

“This is something that you should not plan on doing on your own,” LaVigne said.

While the survey from Northwestern Mutual separately found individuals think they need $1.26 million to retire comfortably, the real number individuals need is based on their personal situation, said Kyle Menke, founder and wealth management advisor at Menke Financial, a Northwestern Mutual company.

In thinking about how life will look in 30 years, there are a variety of things to consider, Menke said. This includes stock market returns, taxes, inflation and medical expenses, he said.

Even people who have enough money for retirement often don’t feel confident in their ability to manage all of those factors on their own, he said. Financial advisors have the ability to run different simulations and stress test a plan, which can help give retirees and aspiring retirees the confidence they’re lacking.

“I think that’s where the biggest gap is,” said Menke, referring to the confidence Americans are lacking without a plan.

Continue Reading

Trending