government shutdown
How the shutdown has impacted SSA
How is Social Security being impacted by the longest government shutdown in history? First, there are no widespread closures or disruptions to services. There were at least three offices around the nation that were closed, but for reasons not related…
Medicare Open Enrollment & the Government Shutdown
As many already know, Medicare’s annual “open enrollment” period started on October 15th and will run through December 7th. This is the annual period when you can make changes to your healthcare coverage by switching from “original Medicare” to a…
Medicare Open Enrollment will start Oct. 15th
Due to the government shutdown, updates to information on the Medicare.gov website may be limited or delayed. Your Medicare benefits and coverage will continue as before, and you can go to your doctor and access the health care services you…
The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., introduced legislation (S. 2964) on October 1st that would allow penalty-free distributions from retirement accounts in the case of certain Federal contractors impacted by Federal Government shutdowns. Companion legislation (H.R. 5690) was introduced in Congress…
Social Security Remains Open During the Government Shutdown
Social Security remains open during a government shutdown, though some delays are possible. Dana George at The Motley Fool outlines which services are available. With a My Social Security Account, you can apply for benefits, print an income verification letter,…
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…
The Shutdown is Now Underway…What’s the Impact on Social Security Payments?
It’s here…the federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. today following a no vote on a stopgap funding bill that would have allowed for continued operation through November 21. Naturally, the question foremost on the minds of many of…
COLA Watch: 2026…Could a Government Shutdown Delay the Final Projection?
Every October, the analysts in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reach prominence as they grind the numbers leading to the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Traditionally, the BLS supplies the data needed to finalize the COLA calculation in…
Government Shutdown and Social Security Payments
The absence of agreement on appropriations funding and the countdown to a government shutdown are causing some angst among the legions of Social Security beneficiaries. What will happen with the scheduled distribution of benefit payments is a logical question on…
Government Shutdown? Medicare and Social Security Benefits to Continue Uninterrupted
With much partisan rhetoric, Washington, D.C. Democrats and Republicans seem to be headed for an impasse when it comes to keeping government daily operations funded after September 30th. Both sides seem to be locked into their respective legislative priorities, with…