The Help Desk

Can I get the interest rate advertised on a foreign CD?

Citibank offers a 5.85% six-month term deposit ...in Australia. How do I get that? — Warren Glaser, East Greenbush, N.Y.

Move to Australia. That introductory deal and other juicy rates touted by Australian banks like Citibank's subsidiary are for locals only. One U.S. bank, EverBank, makes it easy to invest in foreign certificates of deposit, but its rates are a lot lower than Citi­bank's offer— 2.25% for a one-year Aussie CD, for example. MORE

Will I owe taxes on money withdrawn from a partially-converted Roth IRA?

My wife and I did a partial Roth IRA conversion in 2010. Half of the taxes were paid on our 2011 return. If need be, can we withdraw that portion tax- and penalty-free? -- Greg, Mission Viejo, Calif.

First, a small clarification: individual retirement accounts (IRA's) can't be jointly owned, so the distribution rules apply either to you or your spouse — whoever's name is on the account.

Now, the answer: Should you MORE

Will a part-time job affect my Social Security payments?

I have retired after 31 years in a relatively good-paying field. I do not plan on taking Social Security for a number of years. If I take a low-paying, part-time job, will that affect my future Social Security payments? -- J.D., Woodbridge, N.J.

It will likely increase your payments by at least a bit. Social security payments are calculated based on one's top 35 years of work. Because you've worked for MORE