What to Know for Thursday, October 27th, 2026: |
1: Skipping Medicare open enrollment can cost you more in 2027 if you don’t check your Part D and Medicare Advantage options before December 7th |
 |
(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
|
Staying on your current plan is allowed, as long as it’s still available in 2027, but doing nothing could leave you paying more: Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. You can switch Part D drug plans, move to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare. A different Part D plan may have lower premiums or better drug tiers, and another Medicare Advantage plan may have lower out-of-pocket costs. Your doctors may leave your network, so confirm they’ll still accept your plan: If you’re in Medicare Advantage, going outside your plan’s network can be expensive. Some favorite doctors may be dropping out of your plan’s network in 2027, and switching to a plan where they’re in network can keep your care continuous, especially if they know your health history. Block out time this month to compare options, even if you end up keeping your current plan: Check your Annual Notice of Change letter, use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder, and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7. Free, unbiased help is also available through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org.
|
P.S. Need help getting on the best Medicare plan? Our partner Chapter Medicare says its advisors can compare 24,000+ plans for free and help you find one that could save you up to $1,200 a year. Call (539) 205-2147 or visit askchapter.org/insider. Expect longer hold times this time of year, since lines are busy. |
➜ Read the full article from Yahoo Finance here. |
 |
|
Free Medicare Help with Chapter |
90% of American seniors are on the wrong Medicare plan. Thankfully, Chapter is here to help! They can help you switch to the right plan and save $$$. Chapter saves the average senior $1,100 per year! Plus, it is 100% risk-free! Give them a call to find out how much you could save: 539-205-2147. |
askchapter.org/insider |
|
|
|
|
|
2: November Social Security and SSI checks arrive October 30th through November 25th, but the 3.6% COLA won’t show up until January |
 |
(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
|
SSI arrives early on Friday, October 30, and Social Security payments follow on November 3, 10, 18, and 25: November 1 falls on a Sunday, so SSI for November is paid October 30. If you started benefits before May 1997 or get both Social Security and SSI, your Social Security payment arrives November 3. Otherwise, your payment depends on your birthday: November 10 for birthdays on the 1st through 10th (moved up a day for Veterans Day), November 18 for the 11th through 20th, and November 25 for the 21st through 31st. Your November payment won’t include the 3.6% COLA, which starts with January 2027 payments: SSI recipients get their first increased payment on December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a federal holiday. Your personalized COLA notice will be available in your my Social Security account starting in late November, with mailed notices in December. Don’t expect an SSI deposit in November, and check your bank statement if you get both SSI and Social Security: Because SSI for November was paid early on October 30, some people will see two SSI deposits in October and none in November. The next SSI payment is December 1. If you have questions about your payment, check your my Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213.
|
➜ Read the full article from the New York Post here. |
|
|
|
|
3: Worried a 3.6% COLA won’t keep up? Three steps can help stretch your Social Security before January |
 |
(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
|
Audit your spending to find costs you can trim: Review the past few months of bills and subscriptions to spot charges you’ve forgotten about or are paying more for than you need. Small cuts add up when your income is fixed, and a spending review can show where your COLA dollars are going. Consider part-time work to add income on top of your benefits: Before full retirement age, Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480 in 2026, so keep your hours under that limit. Once you reach full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later), you can earn any amount without benefits being withheld. Flexible gig work, such as rideshare driving or house sitting, may fit your schedule. Look at lower-cost areas if you can move without losing your support system: Your benefit is the same wherever you live, but housing, taxes, and everyday costs vary widely by state and city. Relocating can stretch your check further, but weigh the value of family and friends nearby before you move.
|
➜ Read the full article from Yahoo Finance here. |
|
|
|
|
Here’s What You Missed on YouTube: |
Check out our new YouTube videos for Tuesday, October 27th. |
BREAKING: Congress Just Passed a Social Security Bill — Here's What Changes for Millions |
 |
BREAKING: Congress Just Passed a Social Security Bill — Here's What Changes for Millions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
