The COLA update is this week’s principal new development; the remaining selections are recent research worth incorporating into future materials.
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Social Security COLA 2027: Early Estimate — AARP, updated with July inflation data
Estimate—not current law. The projected 2027 COLA is approximately 3.5%–3.6%, but SSA will not announce the official figure until October.
Useful addition: An article explaining that a larger COLA reflects higher prices and that rising Medicare premiums may reduce the increase beneficiaries actually receive. -
Beyond Account Ownership: Auto-IRA Policies and Social Security Claiming — Georgetown Center for Retirement Initiatives, June 2026
Research—not a claiming rule. Auto-IRA programs were associated with less early claiming and more claiming at age 70.
Useful addition: Supports the message that having even modest retirement savings can give workers more freedom to postpone Social Security rather than claiming early from financial necessity. -
The Impact of Spousal Social Security Claiming Decisions on Widowhood — TIAA Institute, January 30, 2026
Research based on existing survivor-benefit rules. The study estimates that each additional year a husband delayed claiming reduced his widow’s subsequent poverty risk by approximately 12%.
Useful addition: A strong basis for teaching couples that the higher earner’s claiming decision is also a survivor-protection decision—not merely an individual break-even calculation. -
Medicare Part D Enrollment, Premiums, and Cost Sharing in 2026 — KFF, June 11, 2026
Analysis of current 2026 coverage. Although the Part D out-of-pocket ceiling is $2,100, deductibles and percentage-based coinsurance have become more common.
Useful addition: A beneficiary checklist emphasizing that people should compare the premium, deductible, formulary, pharmacy network and coinsurance—not select a plan solely because its premium is low or zero. -
Medicare Advantage Costs, Benefits and Prior Authorization in 2026 — KFF, June 5, 2026
Analysis of current plan data. Nearly all enrollees are in plans requiring prior authorization for some services; the average in-network out-of-pocket limit is $5,421.
Useful addition: Excellent support for a plain-language feature titled “Zero Premium Does Not Mean Zero Cost,” explaining networks, prior authorization and maximum out-of-pocket exposure.