| What to Know for Thursday, March 26, 2026: | 1: Senate hearing reveals Social Security needs revenue up 33% or benefit cuts of 25% to avoid insolvency |  | (Image credit: CSPAN) |
| Trust fund depletes in 2032-2033, triggering automatic 23-25% benefit cuts: The OASI trust fund runs out in 2033, paying only 77% of scheduled benefits without congressional action — the combined funds deplete in 2034, paying 81% of benefits, requiring lawmakers to either increase revenue by one-third, cut benefits by one-fourth, or use a combination. Trump's tax bill moved up insolvency by 6 months: The Republican "Big Beautiful Bill" accelerated Social Security's depletion date by about six months due to income tax provisions that reduced taxation of Social Security benefits — this removed revenue flowing to the trust fund while giving tax relief to seniors. Competing solutions debated: Senator Whitehouse proposed taxing wages and investment income above $400,000 to achieve 75-year solvency, while Senator Cassidy proposed borrowing $1.5 trillion to invest for returns — but experts warned borrowing costs could offset gains, and the plan would only address about one-tenth of the 2033 deficit.
| ➜ Read the full hearing transcript from CSPAN here. | | | 2: SNAP food restrictions now affecting children's summer grocery benefits in 22 states |  | (Image credit: The Food Research and Action Center) |
| $120 summer food benefit caught in restriction web: Summer EBT provides $120 per child for groceries while school is out, but 22 states are applying their new SNAP food restrictions to these benefits too — restrictions range from banning sugary drinks and candy to Iowa's sweeping rule allowing only foods not subject to state sales tax. Confusion and stigma at checkout: Families face delays at registers trying to figure out what's allowed, causing embarrassment and inability to purchase intended groceries — this reinforces the "inaccurate and harmful narrative" that low-income families make unhealthy choices, despite a 2016 USDA report finding little difference between SNAP and non-SNAP household purchases. Rural families could lose access entirely: Retailers must upgrade point-of-sale systems and train staff to comply with restrictions, which is expensive — if stores stop accepting SNAP and Summer EBT due to these costs, rural families with few grocery options will be left with even fewer places to use their benefits.
| ➜ Read the full story from the Food Research & Action Center here. | | 3: Medicare to pay doctors for fall prevention starting 2027 — but White House cuts existing programs |  | (Image credit: Getty Images) |
| New LEAD program launches January 2027: Medicare will pay participating doctors extra to provide preventive care for seniors and people with disabilities, including support to avoid falls like bathroom grab bars, help rearranging furniture, and walkers — spending $1,000 on prevention could save tens of thousands in hip fracture treatment costs. Existing fall prevention programs slashed: While LEAD expands, the White House proposed cutting Older Americans Act falls prevention funding by two-thirds (Congress held it at $7.5 million instead), froze senior nutrition programs that prevent malnutrition-related falls, and cut Medicaid by $1 trillion over a decade — reducing home and community-based care that helps prevent falls. Uncertain if new program offsets cuts: LEAD is optional and experimental with no guarantee how many doctors will enroll or if prevention efforts will succeed — the Administration is shifting resources from proven non-Medicare programs to an untested experiment, and it's unclear if Medicare savings will make up for lost benefits.
| ➜ Read the full article from Forbes here. | | | Here's What You Missed on YouTube: | Check out our new YouTube videos for Thursday, March 26th. | SNAP Benefits Cut: 7 Days Left — What You Must Do Now! |  | SNAP Benefits Cut: 7 Days Left — What You Must Do Now! |
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| | | The Retirement Navigator Podcast | Don't Wait Until It's a Crisis — Watch This First
🎙️ Episode #4 featuring Niki Gewirtz, Senior Living Expert from A Place for Mom | Senior living decisions are some of the hardest a family can face — especially when you're making them under pressure. | In this week's episode of Retirement Navigator, senior living expert Niki Gewirtz (20+ years in the industry) walks you through everything from recognizing when extra care is needed, to what it costs, to how to pay for it. | Clear, honest, and zero pressure. Whether it's for you or someone you love — this one is worth your time. 👇 Hit play now & be sure to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetirementNavigator |  | Episode 4: A Practical Guide to Senior Living Options, Costs, and Care Planning for Families |
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| | The Daily 3 Deal List—Week of March 23rd | | This newsletter is for information only. Always confirm your options directly with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or a qualified advisor before making big decisions about your benefits. | *View our Advertising Disclosure |
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