Government Benefits

Medicare Part B premiums rose 3x faster than COLA in 2026, squeezing senior budgets

Elderly couple looking at bills and phone

April 22, 2026

The monthly Social Security check got a little bigger in January 2026. For most retirees, the Part B premium took an even bigger bite right back out of it. Medicare's...

SNAP benefit maximums rose for 2026 under USDA cost-of-living update

USDA is working hard to expand access to farmers’ markets for those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

by Jeff Wordek

April 14, 2026

0

SNAP benefit maximums rose for 2026 under USDA cost-of-living update The U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual cost-of-living adjustment to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for federal fiscal year 2026 raised...

Social Security’s 2.8% COLA for 2026 trails many seniors’ expenses

Happy senior couple holding hands and using laptop while having a meeting with financial advisor in the office Senior man is pointing at something on laptop

by Jeff Wordek

May 5, 2026

0

The average retired worker on Social Security currently collects about $1,976 a month. With the 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment now in effect, that check includes roughly $56 more than it...