What to Know for Thursday, November 5th, 2026:
|
1: Seniors’ advocates say the new Congress has a chance to strengthen Social Security, but Medicaid cuts could be harder to undo
|
 |
|
(Image Credit: Getty Images)
|
|
-
NCPSSM says its endorsed candidates won and pledged to protect benefits: The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare says its PAC endorsed more than 50 congressional candidates who won on Tuesday, including several Senate races. According to the group, candidates pledged to strengthen Social Security by making high earners pay more, without privatization or benefit cuts, and to protect Medicare. The group’s own endorsement tally has not been independently verified.
-
Social Security’s 2032 deadline is still ahead: The group notes that the trust fund faces a projected shortfall in 2032, when automatic cuts of about 22% would take effect unless Congress acts. Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), expected to chair the House Ways and Means Committee, said Social Security would be protected. The group expects Democrats to reintroduce bills to strengthen Social Security without benefit cuts.
-
Medicaid cuts take effect in January, and any reversal would depend on future elections: Most cuts from the 2025 tax and spending law take effect on January 1, 2027. NCPSSM says that reversing them may have to wait until 2028, when Democrats would need the White House and both chambers. The group also expects new oversight of prescription drug pricing under Medicare’s negotiation program. President Trump has said he would work with Democrats, but he has also said he would veto bills he opposes.
|
|
➜ Read the full article from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare here.
|
|
|
|
|
2: Democrats’ health agenda faces limits in the next Congress, even with control of both chambers
|
 |
|
(Image Credit: Getty Images)
|
|
-
Reinstating ACA subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts face hurdles: Axios reports that House Democrats’ early agenda includes restoring the enhanced ACA tax credits that expired at the end of 2025 and voting to roll back federal Medicaid cuts from the 2025 tax and spending law. Restoring the subsidies and reversing the cuts while President Trump is in office would be difficult, Axios says, and Medicaid matters to seniors because it helps cover long-term care.
-
Medicare changes under discussion include drug price negotiation and a physician payment fix: Proposals include expanding Medicare drug price negotiations to private insurance and ending the use of AI to authorize certain services in traditional Medicare. Lawmakers also need to pass a “doc fix,” which would protect physicians from scheduled Medicare payment cuts. Medicare for All and a government-run public insurance option are also on the list, but Axios says those would take much longer to pass.
-
Divisions within the party could slow major changes: Democrats are expected to pair messaging votes with more limited deals, and progressives and centrists disagree on how far federal health programs should expand. Axios notes that many of the biggest changes are more likely to pass in must-pass funding bills than as standalone health bills.
|
|
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.
|
|
➜ Read the full article from Axios here.
|
 |
|
|
Free Medicare Help with Chapter
|
|
90% of American seniors are on the wrong Medicare plan. Thankfully, Chapter is here to help! They can help you switch to the right plan and save $$$. Chapter saves the average senior $1,100 per year! Plus, it is 100% risk-free! Give them a call to find out how much you could save: 539-205-2147.
|
|
askchapter.org/insider
|
|
|
|
|
|
3: AARP estimates family caregiving could cost Americans $2.3 trillion in lost pay, retirement savings, and Social Security benefits
|
 |
|
(Image Credit: Getty Images)
|
|
-
The typical caregiver could lose up to $120,500 over a lifetime: AARP’s new report, The Hidden Cost of Caregiving, estimates that the typical family caregiver could lose as much as $120,500 over a lifetime. Across a generation of caregivers, the report adds up to about $2 trillion in missed paychecks, $140 billion in missed retirement contributions, and $150 billion in potential Social Security benefits. AARP’s estimates use Urban Institute income models for caregivers born between 1981 and 1985.
-
Longer caregiving means bigger losses: Full-time caregivers could give up more than $7,300 in retirement income and $8,100 in future Social Security benefits. Those who provide a decade or more of care could lose about $175,000 in wages over their lifetimes. The report says the losses continue after caregiving ends, through career breaks, early retirement, or leaving the workforce.
-
Paid leave laws vary by state, and no federal paid leave benefit exists: 14 states and D.C. have paid family or medical leave laws, and 18 states and D.C. have paid sick leave laws that can cover care for a family member. Oklahoma and Nebraska offer tax credits for caregivers. The proposed More Paid Leave for More Americans Act (H.R. 3089) would encourage more states to adopt paid leave.
|
|
➜ Read the full article from 401K Specialist here.
|
|
|
|
|
Here’s What You Missed on YouTube:
|
|
Check out our new YouTube videos for Thursday, November 5th.
|
Social Security Payment Update + Paid Early in November: The $200 Increase You Have to Claim
|
|
|
Social Security Payment Update + Paid Early in November: The $200 Increase You Have to Claim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
