LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The IRS has extended the income-tax filing deadline by an extra month, and experts say while the pandemic has shaken retirement planning for many families, tax season is a good time to get back on track.

Households should be reviewing finances and investing for the long term, said Sarah Holden, senior director of retirement and investor research for the Investment Company Institute.

"I think really, the past year has given us a chance to step back and take a look at our financial picture," she said. "There have been some rocks in the road, so we kind of need to dust ourselves off and get back on the path of saving for our long-term goals."

Eighty-two percent of Americans reported that the pandemic has affected their retirement plans, according to a poll released this year by Fidelity Investments. About one-third of people surveyed estimate it'll take two to three years for them to get back on track.

Holden said it is possible for people with Individual Retirement Accounts to make contributions up until the tax-filing deadline - which this year, is May 21 - and count those contributions as if they occurred in 2020. She said money in IRA accounts grows and compounds tax-free.

"And if you are able to make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA," she said, "you could actually reduce last year's tax bill."

Holden also pointed out that stimulus checks offer an opportunity to invest and save money on those investment earnings.

"What works for most investors is to get in little by little, paycheck by paycheck, for the long haul," she said, "and that's how you compound and build that nest egg."

A survey last summer found that one-third of American households planned to use the first round of stimulus checks to first pay bills and then save.

In Georgia, the demand for Social Security cards is soaring, with nearly 34,000 residents in Gwinnett County alone requesting appointments for new cards in 2023.

While a Social Security number is crucial for many life milestones such as opening a bank account or applying for a driver's license, the Social Security Administration wants Georgians to know the physical card itself is often unnecessary.

Abigail Zapote, senior adviser for the Social Security Administration, said in many cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is sufficient and can help protect against the rising threat of identity theft.

"We do ask that folks first and foremost not carry their Social Security card around with them, whether it's in their purse or their wallet," Zapote advised. "Usually that's an easy way to be able to lose their Social Security card."

With identity theft on the rise, especially in high-demand areas such as Georgia, the agency urged residents to keep their Social Security card in a safe place and to use online resources for verification whenever possible.

Zapote noted the Social Security Administration is making it easier for people to request cards online. She pointed out the process can now be initiated online, an option particularly beneficial for Georgians given the high demand for in-person services.

"They can report a stolen Social Security number to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov," Zapote explained. "Then go through our replacement process at ssa.gov/number-card to ensure that they can get that replacement card if they need it."

Zapote warned Georgia residents to stay vigilant against scams and only provide their Social Security number when absolutely necessary.


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Groups fighting for safer roads are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill requiring new vehicles to have a speed-monitoring system to warn drivers when they go more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Senate Bill 961 has already passed both houses of the state Legislature.

Marc Vukcevich, director of state policy for the advocacy organization Streets for All, said pedestrian deaths are epidemic.

"Pedestrian deaths have increased 68% since 2011," Vukcevich pointed out. "With traffic violence as a whole being the number one cause of death for all people from the age of five to 44 in the state of California."

Several big car manufacturers have come out in opposition to the bill, arguing the warnings could annoy and distract drivers. The change would only apply to new cars sold after 2030 and would add an estimated $60 to $100 to the cost of a car.

Vukcevich noted if drivers slow down even a few miles per hour, it would greatly reduce both the number of accidents and the suffering and death that result.

"The actual physical effect of getting hit by a car at that speed is substantially different from, let's say, 23 to 30 miles per hour," Vukcevich pointed out. "It's really a substantial difference on how likely someone actually lives or dies."

The European Union has already passed a similar measure. California would be the first state in the U.S. to require speed-warning systems.


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Scammers are on the prowl this election season to target the emotions of voters to steal donations, seek polling information or gain their financial data.

The Better Business Bureau is warning residents about bad actors impersonating campaigns and nonprofit organizations.

Meredith Radford, senior communications specialist for the Better Business Bureau of the Eastern Carolinas, said as we get closer to the election, you may get an increase of calls, texts and emails but warned you should be cautious.

"If they are pressuring you in any way to donate right now to them before you really have time to think it through and do research and see if it's legitimate, or if they're pressuring you for specific personal information that a pollster wouldn't ask for," Radford outlined.

She pointed out pollsters typically are looking for demographic information such as age but a caller should not be asking for your Social Security number or account information.

Radford suggested another thing to keep in mind is prerecorded calls from legitimate candidates are exempt from the "Do Not Call Registry." However, she warned scammers may use voice cloning to impersonate politicians. She advised not answering unknown numbers and letting legitimate callers leave a voice mail. She emphasized if something seems off, follow your gut and report suspected scams.

"If you do fall victim to a scam and end up giving them money or information, you can contact the FTC or the Attorney General's Office," Radford recommended. "Those can be great resources to do something about it."

Radford stressed people should be on the lookout for fake links sent via text. She added people can report suspected scams to the Bureau's scam tracker and use it as a resource to see other scams in their area.