| What to Know for Friday, March 20, 2026: | 1: Trump administration altered Social Security report to hide 2-hour wait times, watchdog says |  | (Image credit: Getty Images) |
| Real wait times buried: An unpublished draft of the Social Security inspector general report showed total wait times averaged 46 minutes to over 2 hours in 2025 — but this information was deleted after the agency reviewed it, and the published version only showed a different metric claiming under 10-minute waits. Why Trump fired the inspector general: Nancy Altman of Social Security Works says "now we know why Trump fired the inspector general at Social Security" — the IG was one of several fired at the start of Trump's second term, undermining independent oversight of the agency. No check on Social Security changes: "Under this administration, the IG has no ability to conduct independent oversight. There is no meaningful check on the Trump administration's Social Security sabotage," Altman said — inspectors general are "the American peoples' eyes and ears in these agencies" but that oversight is being dismantled.
| ➜ Read the full article from Common Dreams here. | | 2: Social Security overhauls SSI program to make benefits "easier to use and harder to lose" |  | (Image credit: AP) |
| Over 170 reforms underway: SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano created a new SSI Improvement Team in September 2025 working on more than 170 reforms through digital transformation — the goal is to strengthen payment accuracy, streamline processes, and ensure "this lifeline for millions of Americans" reaches those who need it. Cracking down on improper payments: The agency expanded a program to identify assets that may affect SSI eligibility early — by catching these issues upfront, SSA can make more accurate payments and prevent overpayments that could result in surprise bills later. Help for institutionalized recipients: SSA created a "decision tree" for SSI recipients in hospitals and care facilities that allows these institutions to process forms and manage SSI payments on residents' behalf — making it easier for vulnerable seniors to maintain their benefits without navigating complex paperwork.
| ➜ Read the full story from the Market Watch here. | | | 3: The "widow tax" explained: higher tax burden after losing your spouse — here's how to plan |  | (Image credit: Getty Images) |
| Tax burden increases despite lower income: When a spouse dies, the surviving spouse must shift from "married filing jointly" to "single" status, facing less favorable tax brackets and roughly half the standard deduction — even though total household income decreased, many remain in the same tax bracket (like 22%) on only half the income. Women hit hardest due to longevity: This tax penalty disproportionately affects women who live on average 5.8 years longer than men and are more likely to be the lower-earning spouse — required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts add to taxable income and can push surviving spouses into higher brackets. Plan now with Roth conversions: Financial professionals recommend converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs while both spouses are alive to reduce future RMDs and tax liabilities — however, some experts argue the actual tax increase is less than 1% of annual income, with the greater financial risk coming from losing a spouse's Social Security benefits.
| ➜ Read the full article from the Stanford Center for Longevity here. | | | Our NEW 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 |
|
| | Here's What You Missed on YouTube: | Check out our new YouTube videos for Friday, March 20th. | Why Women Only Get 80 Cents on the Dollar From Social Security |  | Why Women Only Get 80 Cents on the Dollar From Social Security |
|
| | | The Daily 3 Deal List—Week of March 16th | | 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 |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment