Catch up in minutes with your daily briefing on the Social Security, Medicare & Retirement news that affects you most.
What to Know for Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026: |
1: Remarriage changes Social Security benefit eligibility — rules differ dramatically by benefit type, requiring SSA contact to maximize income |
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(Image Credit: Getty Images) |
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Retirement benefit claims remain unchanged after remarriage — SSA pays whichever is larger between your own retirement benefit or new spousal benefit: If your new spouse's spousal benefit exceeds your retirement benefit amount, you automatically become eligible for the higher amount but must contact SSA to request the change — remarriage doesn't reduce retirement benefits already being received, only increases eligibility for potentially larger spousal payments — spousal benefit available only if new partner already receiving retirement checks. Ex-spousal benefits terminate upon remarriage — losing ability to claim on ex's work record but gaining ability to claim on new spouse's record: Those married 10+ years before divorcing can claim on ex's record regardless of their remarriage; remarrying erases this eligibility — however, immediately gains spousal benefit eligibility on new spouse's record (if receiving benefits) potentially offsetting loss — net change depends on comparative benefit amounts between ex and new spouse's records. Survivor benefits on deceased spouse's record continue despite remarriage if you're 60+ (or 50+ if disabled) — no automatic changes occur: Winning the "age gate" at remarriage preserves deceased-spouse survivor benefits while simultaneously opening spousal benefit eligibility on new spouse's record (if new partner receiving retirement) — eligible to claim whichever is larger — contact SSA immediately to review options and switch to higher benefit if available.
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➜ Read the full article from Yahoo Finance here. |
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2: E-Verify Self Lock + Electronic Access Block provide dual protection for Social Security accounts — two free tools prevent wage theft and benefit fraud |
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(Image Credit: Envato) |
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E-Verify Self Lock prevents criminals from using your SSN to get jobs with employers participating in federal E-Verify system — creates one-year lock requiring employer confirmation only after scammer manually removes it: If someone uses your Social Security number to work, wages get reported to IRS under your name triggering notice delays, tax refund holds, months of correction work — activate free at e-verify.gov by answering identity-verification questions — lock renews annually; if you return to work, can temporarily remove online then reactivate after employment ends. Social Security's Electronic Access Block disables online and automated telephone access to your Social Security record preventing scammers changing direct deposit, redirecting benefits, or updating personal information: Activate by calling SSA 800-772-1213 or visiting local office requesting Electronic Access Block — extra barrier requires identity verification before restoring your own access, minor inconvenience worth protection — prevents account takeovers after data breaches or compromised usernames/passwords. Combined strategy: credit freeze + my Social Security account + Electronic Access Block + IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) = comprehensive identity theft defense: Create my Social Security account yourself before scammers do at ssa.gov/myaccount — request six-digit IP PIN at irs.gov (acts as second password for tax returns preventing someone else filing under your SSN) — keep credit frozen unless applying for new credit — identity theft survivors should activate both E-Verify Self Lock and Electronic Access Block immediately.
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➜ Read the full article from the East Idaho News here. |
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3: Eli Lilly's Foundayo capturing one-third of new GLP-1 pill starts — Medicare $50/month program expanding access to 20M seniors since July |
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(Image Credit: Reuters) |
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CEO David Ricks announced September 21 that Foundayo (Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill) is capturing approximately one-third of all new patients starting GLP-1 tablets — Lilly's market share still rising week-by-week against Novo Nordisk's Wegovy: Foundayo launched April 2026, generating $98M in sales first full quarter — Medicare coverage starting July 1 at $50/month significantly accelerating adoption — Ricks told CNBC: "Lilly's momentum continues with 48% revenue growth" and company raising full-year guidance — oral pills preferred over injectable for convenience, accessibility despite slightly lower efficacy than injectable options. CEO estimates 20-30 million Medicare beneficiaries with obesity and related conditions eligible for GLP-1 treatments — coverage represents "big multiplier on eligible pool": Medicare Bridge Program covers eligible Part D patients at $50/month (actual cost $245-300/month) with government absorbing difference through December 31, 2027 — Wegovy pill had 3M prescriptions as of June 2026 after five-month market presence; Foundayo gaining share month-to-month — insurers pulling back coverage for commercial patients but Medicare program expanding access significantly. Ricks argues obesity drives "$4 out of every $10 in health care spending" — long-term savings despite short-term medication costs: Lilly breaking ground on $6.5B Houston manufacturing facility to increase Foundayo production capacity — U.S. price declining 9% but volume growth offsetting reductions — company expects Medicare adoption lifting financial results through remainder 2026 as convenience of pills drives uptake — competitive battle with Novo intensifying as both companies scale production/access for what Ricks calls "first time we can arrest obesity completely."
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➜ Read the full article from CNBC here. |
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Here’s What You Missed on YouTube: |
Check out our new YouTube videos for Tuesday, September 22nd. |
Your 2027 Social Security Raise Just CHANGED - Here's What Happened! |
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Your 2027 Social Security Raise Just CHANGED - Here's What Happened! |
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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. |
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