Julia Kagan is a senior managing editor at TIME Stamped, where she deciphers retirement planning, healthcare costs, and consumer rights for mainstream audiences. With bylines in Investopedia, Policygenius, and Consumer Reports, she combines investigative rigor with actionable advice.
Julia Kagan’s career spans over three decades, marked by a relentless focus on demystifying personal finance and consumer rights. Beginning as a health director at Ladies' Home Journal, she quickly transitioned into leadership roles at Consumer Reports and Psychology Today, where she honed her ability to translate complex topics into actionable advice. Her tenure as Vice President of Content at Zagat Surveys further solidified her expertise in consumer-driven storytelling.
"Responsibility for people’s financial futures is almost completely in their own hands. I feel passionate about helping them understand how to take control."
This Investopedia piece dissects Canada’s Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), explaining how individuals can withdraw up to $20,000 tax-free for education. Kagan’s analysis highlights the intersection of retirement savings and lifelong learning, offering case studies of mid-career professionals balancing financial security with skill development. The article’s step-by-step guide to repayment terms became a benchmark for cross-border financial planning resources.
Published by Policygenius, this article compares direct cremation ($2,500) to traditional funerals ($6,900), using data from the National Funeral Directors Association. Kagan interviews estate planners and grief counselors to contextualize cost differences, while debunking myths about "cheap" end-of-life options. The piece remains one of Policygenius’ most shared articles, cited by nonprofits advocating for affordable funeral reforms.
This practical guide walks readers through submitting death certificates and claim forms, with checklists tailored to sudden vs. anticipated deaths. Kagan incorporates insights from insurance fraud investigators to help families avoid common pitfalls, such as missed deadlines or incomplete paperwork. The article’s flowchart-style structure has been adopted by state insurance regulators in public education campaigns.
Kagan prioritizes strategies that empower individuals to navigate post-pension economies. Pitch tools or policies addressing the gig economy’s retirement gap, like SEP IRA guides for freelancers. Example: Her 2024 analysis of California’s state-sponsored retirement program for contract workers.
She seeks stories on medical debt prevention and insurance literacy. A recent piece on hospital payment plans demonstrated her interest in systemic solutions rather than individual budgeting tips.
Kagan often highlights barriers faced by LGBTQ+ families and immigrants. Successful pitches have included interviews with brokers specializing in non-traditional beneficiary structures.
While she covers investment fundamentals, her work avoids speculative markets. A 2023 column explicitly cautioned readers against "get-rich-quick" financial influencers.
She favors studies with clear policy implications, such as a 2024 report linking high medical debt to delayed retirement. Partner with universities or NGOs for exclusive data access.
Won in the Leisure Interests category for a Consumer Reports investigation into timeshare exit scams. The series prompted FTC investigations and refunds for 12,000 consumers.
Honored for exposing predatory lending practices in subprime mortgages, a groundbreaking series that influenced the Dodd-Frank Act’s mortgage underwriting reforms.
Designed the nation’s first journalism curriculum integrating behavioral economics, training a generation of reporters to analyze financial systems through a consumer protection lens.
