Headlines
Employer Compensation Tax proposal
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget just released its analysis of the Trust Fund Solutions Initiative white paper, suggesting a new alternative by replacing the employer side of the payroll tax with a flat Employer Compensation Tax (ECT) on…
A Beginner’s Guide to Social Security
For many folks, retirement is a destination. Thoughts of someday kicking back and reflecting on a career well executed, or a history of meeting the challenges of supporting a family, or the simple satisfaction of being a part of a…
Release of the 2026 COLA on October 24th
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment was originally scheduled for October 15th; however, due to the government shutdown continuing, it has been rescheduled for October 24th. Why the delay? Because to calculate the COLA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics must release its…
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is Calling Staff Back In to Prepare the Annual Inflation Reports
When the shutdown started on October 1, only one person remained at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some staff are now returning to prepare the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which is based on the Consumer Price…
How Different Government Agencies Are Affected by the Government Shutdown
The Social Security Administration has only 12% of its 52,000 employees furloughed. However, this could change if the shutdown persists for an extended period. In comparison, the Veterans Administration has an even smaller portion furloughed; only 3.2% of its 462,000…
Scam Alert – The Following Alert is From the Social Security Administration
For Immediate Release October 8, 2025 Unexpected Letter, Text, or Email from the U.S. Supreme Court? Think Scam First The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Social Security Administration (SSA) is warning the public about a…
The government shutdown could delay the release of Social Security Increases for 2026.
The cost-of-living increase is normally released on October 15th. The government shutdown will not cause a delay in receiving your monthly Social Security benefits, but it may delay the release of the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). According to the article…
Demystifying Medicare
Medicare, part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society,” was first enacted in 1965. As it has evolved over the decades, Medicare now consists of four unique “parts,” each designed to provide specific healthcare insurance coverage to American seniors. Here are…
Social Security Reform and Its Many Options
Most folks are keenly aware of the steadily eroding financial picture for Social Security. In fact, the media chatter about the benefit cut that could be expected absent congressional attention is causing alarm among both current and future beneficiaries. So…
A Deeper Dive into the Governmental Shutdown
For the 21st time since 1976, the federal government has been shut down due to Congress’s inability to reach an agreement on funding plans. What’s unknown, of course, is how long the curtailment of government services will continue. Still, if…