Why These Medicare Advantage Plans Get High Marks from Customers

And, how freezing your credit functions to protect you and your money. Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( August 26, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] [Stepping Into the Flavors of Fall]( Fall is my favorite season. I love the weather, the light and, most of all, the foods and flavors bountiful in autumn. Even so, I’m not quite ready to see Halloween costumes in the aisles or 12-foot skeletons at Home Depot – but I am excited for coffee beverages that turn up the spice and put fall flavors front and center. Kiplinger contributor Kathryn Pomroy has [the latest about Starbucks’ new fall menu](, including what’s on the menu and when you can start ordering, and I can’t wait to indulge in an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. While I will eschew the Pumpkin Spice Latte this year, I plan on trying the Pumpkin Spice Martini Flight on offer at Starbucks Reserve locations in Chicago, Seattle and New York City. - Donna LeValley, personal finance writer [Get the Most Out of Your Retirement Savings]( Making your savings last and keeping your taxes low takes planning and attention. We can help you save time and earn more. Vanguard Personal Advisor is built to provide you an ongoing collaboration with our professional advisors — no matter where you are in your journey. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] SAVING FOR EDUCATION [] [529 Plan Contribution Limits for 2024]( [529 Plan Contribution Limits for 2024]( (Getty Images) Saving for college is a daunting prospect for parents. Fortunately, parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, spouses, stepparents and friends can all contribute to a 529 plan and name your child as a beneficiary. Contributions to these plans are not restricted to higher education and can be used for qualified K-12 expenses. One piece of important information I haven’t seen discussed is that there are no yearly contribution limits to a 529 plan. However, all states have maximum aggregate contribution limits for each 529 account. Keep reading to [learn the lifetime contribution limits for 529 plans in your state which can range from $235,000 to $575,000](. [] MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS [] [Medicare Advantage Plans Get High Marks from Customers]( [Medicare Advantage Plans Get High Marks from Customers]( (Getty Images) Reading and using reviews to make purchasing decisions is part and parcel of internet shopping. It’s far more complicated when you are shopping for health insurance. Medicare enrollees can choose to remain in Original Medicare or move to a Medicare Advantage plan. A recent survey showed that Medicare Advantage participants are happier with their insurance than users of commercial insurance and revealed what these users like about the policies they hold. Read on to [learn which Medicare Advantage plans are rated highest and which plan finished dead last in every state surveyed](. [Top 5 Wealth Management Firms in the US]( If you're looking for help with wealth management, retirement, or tax planning, finding the top financial advisor in the United States means choosing between thousands of options. Check out the list of top 5 firms in the US for individual investors. [See the list]( ADVERTISEMENT [] HOW TO HANDLE A DATA BREACH [] [Should You Freeze Your Credit Amid Data Breaches?]( [Should You Freeze Your Credit Amid Data Breaches?]( (Getty Images) Last week, I covered the [NDP]( and [Change Healthcare]( breaches and offered ways to guard against identity theft. I also touched on freezing your credit to give you some real protection against scammers and not just notifications that something sinister has happened. Please read on to learn [why Kiplinger recommends freezing your credit in light of these invasive breaches](, how a freeze protects your credit and if a freeze has any impact on your credit report. [Earn Money While You Travel]( Discover how to make the most of your money while traveling. Avoid unnecessary fees, get the best exchange rates, and earn rewards on every purchase. Ensure financial peace of mind wherever you go with global support. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT [] OTHER KIPLINGER ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY [] [Free NJ Transit rides: Fare holiday through Labor Day]( NJ Transit riders can travel by train, bus or light rail without a ticket from August 26 through September 2, 2024. [7 ways to manage your financial stress]( If your finances are stressing you out, you're not alone. Start here to find out how to deal with your financial stress one step at a time. [How to roll over your 401(k) without costly regrets]( Rolling your 401(k) over to an IRA the wrong way could cost you big-time in taxes and penalties. [Sign Up for Kiplinger's Free Tax Tips E-Newsletter for Money-Saving Tax Planning and Compliance Advice]( ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. Kiplinger is a trusted provider of unbiased financial advice, objective business and economic forecasts, and practical help to millions of business professionals, investors, and individuals seeking to make more profitable decisions with their money. Our [flagship publications]( include [Kiplinger Personal Finance]( magazine, [The Kiplinger Letter]( [The Kiplinger Tax Letter]( [Kiplinger Retirement Report]( and [Kiplinger Investing for Income.]( All are regarded as the leading publications in their respective fields. 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