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    NerdWallet, Inc. is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. NerdWallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. Examples are hypothetical, and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Our estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

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    How to Invest in Stocks
    Investing

    How to Invest in Stocks

    Learn how to invest in stocks, including how to choose the right stock investment for you, how to manage your portfolio and the steps in between.

    Bella Avila's profile picture
    2
    Bella Avila, Chris DavisOct 12, 2026
    5 Types of Investment Accounts You Should Know
    Investing

    5 Types of Investment Accounts You Should Know

    The right type of investment account will accommodate your savings goals, investing style and account ownership wishes.

    Dayana Yochim's profile picture
    Dayana YochimMar 12, 2026
    GettyImages_461283487_Story.jpg
    Investing

    Pension Lump Sum or Annuity? How to Decide

    The answer depends mainly on your needs — but also on the fiscal health of your pension plan.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jan 9, 2023
    10yo-buy-retirement-annuity
    Investing

    How to Decide If a Retirement Annuity Is Right for You

    An annuity can provide a reliable stream of income in retirement — but isn't right for everyone.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jun 17, 2019
    How to Buy Bitcoin (BTC): Quick-Start Guide
    Investing

    How to Buy Bitcoin (BTC): Quick-Start Guide

    Bitcoin wallets, cryptocurrency exchanges and Bitcoin ETFs: There are a variety of ways to invest in Bitcoin.

    Kevin Voigt's profile picture
    2
    Kevin Voigt, Andy RosenSep 2, 2026
    How Is Social Security Taxed?
    Investing

    Social Security: How It’s Taxed, How to Save

    How much tax you pay on your Social Security benefits, if any, depends on your income from all taxable sources.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Nov 2, 2023
    Don’t Believe These Social Security Myths
    Investing

    Don’t Believe These Social Security Myths

    There's a lot of misinformation out there about when to file. We'll help you check the facts.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jun 13, 2019
    Liz Weston/ What Will Long Term Care Cost You?
    Social Security

    What Will Long-Term Care Cost You?

    Most people over 65 will eventually need some form of paid care. Here are some ways to plan ahead.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jun 11, 2019
    Adult, Male, Man
    Investing

    SIMPLE IRA vs. 401(k): The Pros and Cons of Each Plan

    For simplicity, employers might prefer the SIMPLE IRA. For flexibility, a 401(k) plan provides a wider array of choices.

    Dayana Yochim's profile picture
    Dayana YochimApr 16, 2026
    couples-can-maximize-social-security-benefits
    Investing

    How Couples Can Maximize Social Security Benefits

    If you're married and approaching retirement, you have some decisions ahead.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jun 7, 2019
    What You Need to Know About Working in Retirement
    Social Security

    What You Need to Know About Working in Retirement

    There are many reasons people choose to keep working. Here are some things to consider as you plan.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Jun 2, 2022
    increase-social-security-benefits
    Investing

    8 Ways to Increase Social Security Benefits

    Delaying your start date is one way to ensure the highest monthly benefit — but other options are worth exploring.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®Oct 10, 2024
    when-can-i-retire
    Investing

    When Can I Retire?

    The earliest you can get Social Security retirement benefits is age 62, but other factors affect retirement planning.

    Liz Weston, CFP®'s profile picture
    Liz Weston, CFP®May 23, 2023
    What Is a SIMPLE IRA Plan? How It Works, Rules and FAQs
    Investing

    What Is a SIMPLE IRA Plan? How It Works, Rules and FAQs

    A SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) can be an easy way to offer a retirement savings plan.

    Dayana Yochim's profile picture
    Dayana YochimApr 16, 2026
    What Are Stocks? Definition, How They Work
    Investing

    What Are Stocks? Definition, How They Work

    Stocks are an investment in a company and that company's profits. Investors buy stock to earn a return on their investment.

    Arielle O'Shea's profile picture
    Arielle O'SheaMay 2, 2025
    Roth IRA Taxes: How They Work and When You Pay
    Investing

    Roth IRA Taxes: How They Work and When You Pay

    Roth IRAs offer tax-free investment growth and tax-free retirement income, while traditional IRAs offer an upfront tax break when you contribute.

    June Sham's profile picture
    June ShamApr 16, 2026
    7 Best-Performing Blue-Chip Stocks for November 2026
    Investing

    7 Best-Performing Blue-Chip Stocks for November 2026

    A blue-chip stock is a stock that comes from a well-known, established company. Blue-chip stocks have a strong history of performance and often pay dividends.

    Arielle O'Shea's profile picture
    2
    Arielle O'Shea, Sam TaubeNov 2, 2026
    A woman and child sitting on the bank of a river — an abstract representation of basic education, such as investments for beginners.
    Investing

    5 Best Investments for Beginners

    There are plenty of investments for beginners, including mutual funds and robo-advisors. Here are five of the best options for getting started.

    Arielle O'Shea's profile picture
    Arielle O'SheaMay 29, 2026
    7 Popular Vanguard Index Funds for 2026: VFIAX, VTSAX and more
    Investing

    7 Popular Vanguard Index Funds for 2026: VFIAX, VTSAX and more

    Vanguard index funds kicked off the passive-investing revolution, in which investors try to meet rather than beat market moves for long-term gains.

    Kevin Voigt's profile picture
    Kevin VoigtJul 31, 2026
    The Top S&P 500 ETFs for November 2026: IVV, VOO, SPY and SPYM
    Investing

    The Top S&P 500 ETFs for November 2026: IVV, VOO, SPY and SPYM

    These S&P 500 ETFs all track the index, but there are some small differences that may impact which one you buy.

    Anna-Louise Jackson's profile picture
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    Anna-Louise Jackson, Alana BensonNov 2, 2026
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