Most Americans plan to draw on their Social Security benefits well before reaching the age of claiming the maximum amount, according to a recent survey. The decision to draw on benefits early came even as 72% said they knew that waiting would mean a higher payment, according to the Schroders' 2023 U.S. Retirement Survey. Yet, only 10% of Americans plan to wait until 70 to claim Social Security benefits, and 40% plan to take it between the ages of 62 and 65 – short of qualifying for full...

The impact of extreme weather is increasingly factoring into the homebuying process, according to a recent Zillow survey. Overall, 83% of prospective homebuyers consider at least one climate risk, with flooding being the biggest concern for many, according to the survey. People in the West were most likely to report climate risk as very or extremely impactful in their home search, followed by those in the Northeast. However, one-third of Midwestern and Southern shoppers said climate risks...

High oil prices continued to offset the impact that a drop in demand for fuel should have on gas costs, according to the latest report from AAA. Nationwide gas prices dipped on average by only three cents to $3.83 for the week ending Sept. 28, AAA said. The national average is two cents more than a month ago and seven cents more than a year ago. Fluctuating oil prices, which topped $90 a barrel, have limited seasonal price decreases typically seen during the lower-demand fall driving...

The third and final estimate for real gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2023 was unrevised. It showed that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.1%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Compared to the first quarter, the deceleration in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a slowdown in consumer spending, a downturn in exports and a deceleration in federal government spending that were partly offset by an upturn in private inventory...

Federal lawmakers have just days to decide on either a new spending budget, extending the expiration on government funding beyond the September 30 deadline or face a government shutdown. U.S. House Republicans have agreed on a short-term plan to temporarily fund the government and avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. However, there is strong opposition to the plan coming from conservative hardliners. Even if the House approves the bill, the Democratic-led U.S. Senate will...