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What to Know for Tuesday, April 21, 2026: |
1: If AI cuts jobs, it threatens Social Security and Medicare funding through lost payroll taxes |
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(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
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Fewer workers means Social Security and Medicare go broke faster: Social Security and Medicare are funded by 15.3% FICA payroll tax (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) split between employers and employees — if AI replaces millions of jobs, FICA tax revenue falls dramatically, potentially breaking "America's financing of retirement and health care that we've had since 1935." 31% of jobs have "high exposure" to AI automation: More than 813,000 Minnesota workers have jobs where more than half their tasks could be automated — Anthropic CEO predicts AI could push unemployment to 20% and wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, while IMF projects 40% of jobs worldwide will be affected. Policy solutions needed urgently before midterms: Proposed responses include universal basic income, shorter work weeks, aggressive retraining programs, and legislation (HF4369) requiring 90-day notice before deploying job-displacing technology plus mandatory reskilling — addressing AI threats to Social Security and Medicare "could be a bipartisan effort, uniting politicians and workers."
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➜ Read the full article from the Minnesota Reformer here. |
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2: 7 life-changing events that can reduce or eliminate your Medicare IRMAA surcharges |
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(Image Credit: AARP) |
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High earners pay $81-$487/month extra for Part B: About 8% of Medicare recipients with incomes above $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (married) pay IRMAA surcharges on top of the standard $202.90 Part B premium — plus an additional $14.50-$91/month for Part D, based on your tax return from two years ago (2024 income determines 2026 premiums). Seven qualifying events can exempt you from surcharges: Death of spouse, marriage, divorce/annulment, work reduction, work stoppage (retirement/layoff), loss of income-producing property (natural disaster, arson, theft), or loss of certain pension income — file Form SSA-44 with proof to request reconsideration. Status changes annually and you can appeal: Because surcharges are recalculated every year based on income, you could pay extra for just one year if temporary income (stock sales, Roth conversion, property sale) bumps you into high-income territory — if your exemption request is denied, you can appeal through administrative law judge hearings and ultimately federal court.
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➜ Read the full article from AARP here. |
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3: May 2026 Social Security payment schedule: dates depend on your birthday |
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(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
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May payment dates staggered by birth date: SSI recipients and dual SSI/Social Security recipients get paid Friday, May 1 — birth dates 1st-10th paid Wednesday, May 13; 11th-20th paid Wednesday, May 20; 21st-31st paid Wednesday, May 27. Pre-1997 recipients follow different schedule: Those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997 are paid on separate dates than the birthday-based schedule — they're grouped with SSI recipients and paid on the 3rd of the month (or Friday, May 1 in this case). Over 70 million depend on monthly payments: The Social Security Administration staggers payments across the month to manage the large number of beneficiaries — includes retirees, people with disabilities, survivors of deceased workers, and people with limited income through SSI.
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➜ Read the full article from Newsweek here. |
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Here’s What You Missed on YouTube: |
Check out our new YouTube videos for Tuesday, April 21st. |
Divorced? Claim This $700/Mo Social Security Benefit — Even If Your Ex Hasn't Filed |
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Divorced? Claim This $700/Mo Social Security Benefit — Even If Your Ex Hasn't Filed |
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The Retirement Navigator Podcast |
🎙️ Episode #7: The Conversation With Your Aging Parents You Keep Avoiding — And Why It Can't Wait featuring Carol Bradley Bursack from Minding Our Elders |
When Caregiving Becomes Your Life — Real Advice for Families Who Didn't See It Coming |
Most people don't plan to become a caregiver. It just…happens. A diagnosis. A fall. A surgery that doesn't go as expected. And suddenly, you're navigating something you never prepared for. |
In the latest episode of Retirement Navigator, Kwame sits down with Carol Bradley Bursack — author, dementia support group facilitator, and someone who spent 15 years providing daily care to multiple family members at once. Carol doesn't just talk about caregiving in theory. She lived it, and she shares the kind of honest, grounded wisdom you can only get from someone who's truly been in the trenches. |
This is one of the most heartfelt and practical conversations we've had on this show—you don’t want to miss it! |
👇 Hit play now & be sure to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetirementNavigator |
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Episode 7: The Conversation With Your Aging Parents You Keep Avoiding — And Why It Can't Wait |
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The Daily 3 Deal List—Week of April 20th |
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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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