| What to Know for Friday, April 3, 2026: | 1: Trump reaffirms "no tax on Social Security" — 88% won't owe taxes |  | (Image credit: Getty Images) |
| Mentioned during Iran war address April 1st: During a national address on the war in Iran from the White House Cross Hall, Trump reaffirmed his "no tax on Social Security" promise — but the "Big Beautiful Bill" didn't eliminate Social Security taxes outright, instead giving seniors 65+ an additional $6,000 deduction per taxpayer from 2025-2028, which means 88% of seniors won't owe taxes on their benefits. Income thresholds still apply: Social Security benefits become taxable once provisional income exceeds $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married couples filing jointly — up to 85% of benefits may be taxable above these thresholds, so the deduction helps many stay below them. Watch retirement account withdrawals: Retirees should review their total income carefully because withdrawals from retirement accounts, pensions, or part-time work could increase provisional income and push them above the taxable threshold — even with the new deduction, managing income sources is critical to avoid taxes on benefits.
| ➜ Read the full article from Yahoo Finance here. | | 2: Anti-marijuana groups sue to block Medicare's $500/year CBD coverage that started April 1st |  | (Image credit: Getty Images) |
| Coverage started Wednesday despite lawsuit: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started covering up to $500 annually of hemp-derived CBD products (with up to 3mg THC per serving) for patients in three Medicare innovation models — Smart Approaches to Marijuana and nine other groups filed suit Monday seeking to immediately halt the program. Lawsuit claims administrative violations: Prohibitionist groups argue CMS violated rules by not publishing a proposed rule for public comment, conflicts with its own 2025 rule declaring cannabis ineligible for Medicare coverage, and exceeds authority by covering Schedule I substances without congressional authorization. How it works if allowed to proceed: Participating doctors in ACO REACH, Enhancing Oncology, and LEAD models can recommend CBD for eligible beneficiaries (must be 18+, not pregnant/breastfeeding) — products must be sourced from compliant farms, tested for cannabinoid content, and provided directly by physicians (no retail purchases or reimbursements).
| ➜ Read the full article from MJ Moment here. | | | 3: Average Social Security check is $2,076/month in 2026 — here's how to boost yours |  | (Image Credit: Getty Images) |
| Typical retiree gets about $25,000 annually: The average retirement benefit is $2,076.41 per month, which isn't a lot to live on — but you can increase this by earning more during your career (up to a certain cap), working at least 35 years, and making sure those are your most profitable years. Delay claiming for permanent 8% annual boost: Your full retirement age is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later — but for each year you delay claiming past that until age 70, your benefits get a permanent 8% increase, which can add up to significant extra monthly income. Don't plan to retire on Social Security alone: Even if your benefit is larger than the average, retiring on Social Security alone could mean scaling back your lifestyle dramatically and risking financial struggles — modest monthly contributions to an IRA or 401(k) over time can provide crucial supplemental income.
| ➜ Read the full article from the Motley Fool here. | | | Here's What You Missed on YouTube: | Check out our new YouTube videos for Friday, April 3rd. | Your EBT Benefits Changed April 1st — What You Need to Know |  | Your EBT Benefits Changed April 1 — Here's What You Need to Know |
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| | | NEW EPISODE: Retirement Navigator Podcast | 🎙️ Episode #6: Rethinking Retirement — Income, Purpose, and "Unretirement" featuring journalist and podcast host, Richard Eisenberg | Retirement Isn't What It Used to Be — And That Might Be a Good Thing | What if retirement didn't mean stopping completely? In this episode of Retirement Navigator, Kwame sits down with Richard Eisenberg — one of the most trusted voices in personal finance — to talk about "unretirement," Social Security timing, Medicare pitfalls, and how to make your money last through a retirement that could span 40 years. | If you're 55+ and wondering whether your plan is solid, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear. | 👇 Hit play now to watch now & be sure to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetirementNavigator |  | Episode 6: Rethinking Retirement: Income, Purpose, and "Unretirement" |
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| | The Daily 3 Deal List—Week of March 30th | | 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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