By Karin Price Mueller | NJMoneyHelp.com for NJ.com Q. I am collecting Social Security benefits and I was working part-time until the coronavirus hit. I'm now collecting unemployment, including the $600 weekly benefits. How will this affect my Social Security benefits at the end of the year? — Unsure A. We’re sorry to hear you lost your job. Your Social Security benefit is calculated based on your 35 highest years of earned income. Earned income includes salaries, wages and s

By Karin Price Mueller | NJMoneyHelp.com for NJ.com Q. I have a universal life policy for $100,000. I pay $387 a month and I have 16 more years. I am 61 yrs old. Can I close it out and take the cash value and put it towards a pre-paid funeral plan without getting screwed by penalties or taxes? — Looking at options A. Universal life insurance is a type of whole life insurance. Whole life insurance has two parts: a death benefit plus a cash value account. When you pay your mont