What to Know for Wednesday, November 4th, 2026:
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1: Midterm elections can shape Social Security, Medicare, and caregiving rules that affect seniors
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(Image Credit: Getty Images)
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Social Security’s 2032 deadline falls to the next Congress: The trust fund will run out of reserves in 2032 unless Congress acts, triggering automatic cuts of about 22%. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that would cost a typical newly retired two-earner couple about $16,900 a year starting in 2033. Who wins will face that deadline.
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Divided government may stall big changes, but Medicare may get attention: Analysts expect a Democratic House to push to reverse Medicaid cuts and restore the ACA subsidies that expired at the end of last year. Political scientist Sean Freeder says the parties remain far apart on Social Security, but Medicare is the most likely topic for bipartisan action.
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Caregiving support is an open question: AARP estimates that 59 million people provided care to adults in 2024, most without pay. Congress has not created a nationwide tax credit for family caregivers, though a 2026 AARP poll found 77% of voters 50 and older in competitive districts would be more likely to back a candidate who supported one.
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➜ Read the full article from US News here.
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2: Medicare Part D drug plan premiums could jump about 50% in 2027 for seniors who don’t switch plans
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(Image Credit: Getty Images)
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Average standalone drug plan premiums are projected to rise from $34 to $51 a month: KFF’s analysis assumes seniors stay in their current plans. Premiums range from $6.50 to $204.50 a month among national plans, so shopping during open enrollment can make a large difference. Enrollees who don’t qualify for financial help, about 10.4 million people, would pay more if they stay put. More than 4 million people now in zero-premium plans will have to pay, since no zero-premium drug plans are offered in 2027.
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The CMS projection is much lower, and the standard deductible rises to $700: CMS projected in September that average Part D premiums would rise by less than $1 a month, but KFF says its estimate accounts for plan switching, which often lowers averages. The standard deductible rises from $615 to $700, and most plans will use coinsurance, a percentage of drug costs, instead of fixed copays, so your costs will be less predictable.
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Open enrollment runs through December 7, so compare plans before then: Check your current plan’s 2027 premium and drug list, and compare options on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Free counseling is available at shiphelp.org. Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage average about $9 a month in premiums, according to KFF, but they often have narrower networks and prior authorization rules.
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P.S. Need free 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.
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➜ Read the full article from Healthcare Dive here.
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askchapter.org/insider
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3: Emails from Social Security and the IRS praising President Trump may violate the Hatch Act, experts say
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(Image Credit: Getty Images)
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The emails praised the president days before the midterms: Frank Bisignano, who serves as SSA commissioner and IRS chief executive, wrote that under Trump the Social Security Administration is becoming “a model of excellence.” Another email credited Trump’s tax law for letting taxpayers keep more of their earnings. The Hatch Act bars federal employees from engaging in certain political activities, which is why experts say the messages may be a problem.
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Experts say the emails looked more like political messaging than public service notices: Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, told the New York Times the emails did not seem to be public service announcements, calling them “propaganda.” The IRS has said it generally does not email taxpayers, and the message stated it was for informational purposes only.
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Watchdog groups say many Cabinet members have faced similar complaints: Watchdog groups counted at least nine of the president’s 16 Cabinet members who may have broken the law before the midterms. A complaint was also filed over Cabinet officials who appeared at an Alaska campaign rally. The Hill has asked SSA and the IRS for comment, and the outcome of any complaint is not yet known.
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➜ Read the full article from The Hill here.
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Here’s What You Missed on YouTube:
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Check out our new YouTube videos for Wednesday, November 4th.
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Social Security Payment Update + Paid Early in November: The $200 Increase You Have to Claim
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Social Security Payment Update + Paid Early in November: The $200 Increase You Have to Claim
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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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