Federal retirement numbers continue to rise

Title: Federal retirement numbers continue to rise

Article Snip: "...Federal retirement numbers at the Office of Personnel Management are continuing to skyrocket. In November, OPM took in another 23,000 applications from retiring employees. That’s on top of more than 20,000 that entered OPM’s systems in October. Together, those numbers mean retirement applications are triple the volume they were at this time last year. In total, OPM’s retirement inventory is now closing in on 50,000 applications that are still awaiting finalization. ..."

Reference: federalnewsnetwork.com

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How much is the average Social Security payment in each state?

Title: How much is the average Social Security payment in each state?

Article Snip: "...Social Security benefits vary by person and are determined by previous earnings, the number of years they worked and the age at which they retired. However, as a report in The Hill pointed out, the Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Supplement breaks down benefits by state and shows a range of payments.

The report covers benefits paid in 2024, so the 2025 COLA is not included.

The top 10 states with the highest average monthly Social Security benefits were:..."

Reference: www.al.com
Average Social Security payment in each state (2024), Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Supplement,

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Federal Reserve live coverage: Fed set to cut interest rates for third time this year, 2026 forecast in focus

Title: Federal Reserve live coverage: Fed set to cut interest rates for third time this year, 2026 forecast in focus

Article Snip: "...Investors expect the Fed will cut rates by 0.25%, its third cut of the year, at the conclusion of its two-day meeting, with data from the CME Group showing a 90% chance the central bank will cut rates this week. ..."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com
2025, Poor Economic Conditions Force Another Fed Rate Cut,Layoffs,Economy 2025, Trump Economy 2025,

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Health Watch | FDA recalls blood pressure medication over cholesterol drug contamination

Title: FDA recalls blood pressure medication over cholesterol drug contamination

Article Snip: "...The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a nationwide recall of thousands of bottles of blood-pressure medication last week after discovering cross-contamination with another drug. ..."

Reference: www.foxbusiness.com
Cholesterol drug contamination,Food and Drug Administration (FDA),Drug Recalls,

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When Are January 2026 Social Security Payments Coming?

Title: When Are January 2026 Social Security Payments Coming?

Article Snip: "...January also marks the first month that the cost-of-living adjustment, known as the COLA, for 2026 is set to be reflected in most benefit payments. Beneficiaries across all SSA programs will receive a 2.8 percent boost, the government agency confirmed in October. ...Most beneficiaries are paid based on the day of their birth, but some follow different schedules. Those who began receiving retirement, spousal or survivor benefits before May 1997..."

Reference: www.newsweek.com
January 2026 Social Security, Tiny COLA Increase for 2026 (2.8%),COLA 2026 (Social Security),

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Health Watch | 4 Simple Exercises That Restore Muscle Faster Than Lifting Weights After 60

Title: 4 Simple Exercises That Restore Muscle Faster Than Lifting Weights After 60

Article Snip: "...Age-related muscle loss (known as sarcopenia) begins in your 30s and accelerates as the decades pass. Research suggests that after 60, adults naturally lose strength at a faster rate unless they intervene with resistance training. However, what most people don’t realize is that resistance training doesn’t always require lifting heavy weights. In fact, it can be created with nothing more than how you move your body and how slowly you lower into each repetition. ..."

Reference: www.eatthis.com
Sarcopenia

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The average retirement age in the US (2024 Study)

Title: The average retirement age in the US

Article Snip: "...Find out when US workers are retiring, and learn how to determine the best retirement age for you. ..."

Reference: www.guardianlife.com
The average retirement age in the US (2024 Study), average retirement age is 62 (2024),

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Social Security changes on the table as House bills advance: New retirement age terms, more ID theft services

Title: Social Security changes on the table as House bills advance: New retirement age terms, more ID theft services

Article Snip: "...More than 1.35 billion victim notices were sent to individuals in 2024 following more than 3,100 data breaches, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. More than 1,800 of those breaches involved Social Security numbers. A Senate version of the bill led by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, currently has nine bipartisan co-sponsors. ..."

Reference: www.cnbc.com
Social Security and Retirement, ID Theft,Social Security Number Lock,Official U.S. Government E-verify Social Security Number Lock,

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Dave Ramsey Warns Against Long-Term Renting: Here's Why It Could Be A Costly Choice, Even If Buying Isn't Your Plan

Title: Dave Ramsey Warns Against Long-Term Renting: Here's Why It Could Be A Costly Choice, Even If Buying Isn't Your Plan

Article Snip: "...“Renting gives you flexibility, and sometimes that makes perfect sense,” Ramsey stated. “But over time, those rent payments add up, and you’re left with nothing to show.” He added, “Rental rates increase nearly yearly, making long-term renting less viable.” ..."

Reference: finance.yahoo.com

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Mortgages for Seniors: Everything You Need to Know

Title: Mortgages for Seniors: Everything You Need to Know

Article Snip: "...The goal should be to live within your means, to make sure you don’t run out of funds and wind up in bad shape in your retiring years, says John J. Vento, a certified public accountant, certified financial planner and author of “Financial Independence (Getting to Point X): A Comprehensive Tax-Smart Wealth Management Guide.”

“You don’t want to be 75 years old, with a big mortgage on your home, and are not sure where you’re going to get the money to pay the mortgage each month,” Vento says. ..."

Reference: wtop.com
Mortgages for Seniors,pre-retirement planning,retirement planning,

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Health Watch | The Ripeness Level Of Your Banana Actually Matters For Your Health — Here's How

Title: The Ripeness Level Of Your Banana Actually Matters For Your Health — Here's How

Article Snip: "The nutritional content in a banana changes as it ripens. What ripeness level is best for you? ...The benefits of resistant starch are many, including helping to feed healthy gut bacteria that reduce inflammation and keeping blood sugar levels stable, according to Zenker. It’s also digested more slowly, which can keep you full for longer. ... “This level of ripeness is ideal for people who are trying to control blood glucose levels, such as those with insulin resistance as seen with prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions..."

Reference: www.huffpost.com
Health Watch, Green Banana vs. Ripe Banana | Which Offers the Greatest Health Benefit, Resistant Starch and its Benefits, Good Gut Bacteria, Inflammation Reduction,

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Here's the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit for Retirees Ages 62 to 85 in 2026

Title: Here's the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit for Retirees Ages 62 to 85 in 2026

Article Snip: "...The average Social Security retirement beneficiary is expected to receive a monthly payment of about $2,064 in 2026, based on the most recent data provided by the Social Security Administration. But some beneficiaries will receive much more. Those with long, highly paid careers, can receive thousands of dollars more each month from the government retirement program. But there are several factors ..."

Reference: www.fool.com

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Federal Retirement Program Tweaks Are Taking Effect After the Holiday Season

Title: Federal Retirement Program Tweaks Are Taking Effect After the Holiday Season

Article Snip: "...Federal retirement programs—including Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts—are undergoing routine updates at the start of 2026. While these adjustments may seem minor, they directly affect retirees’ monthly budgets and long‑term planning. Staying informed is essential, especially for seniors who rely on predictable income streams. ...Medicare costs are also climbing. The Part B premium increases to $202.90 per month in 2026, up from $185 in 2025. Deductibles for hospital (Part A) and outpatient (Part B) services are rising modestly as well. Because Part B premiums are deducted directly from Social Security checks, many retirees will see their net benefit reduced. Analysts note that nearly one‑third of the COLA boost will be absorbed by Medicare costs"

Reference: www.savingadvice.com

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A look at your costs in retirement or life currently

Title: America's deepening affordability crisis summed up in 5 charts

Article Snip: "Here are five key categories of spending that many Americans are struggling to afford. ...a homebuyer today needing to earn $121,400 a year to afford a typical home...average American earns about $84,000 a year...Americans now pay an average of $265 per month in utility costs, up 12% since last year"

Reference: www.cbsnews.com

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9 Jobs For Mature Workers That Pay at Least $80,000

Title: 9 Jobs For Mature Workers That Pay at Least $80,000

Article Snip: "... Your background in business, healthcare, or computers may be just what you need as a mature worker to find a job that pays at least $80,000 a year. Such a financially rewarding job can help you feel satisfied and maximize your retirement savings.

One way to find such a job may be to rely on your network and search for connections on social media. They can often help open the door to new opportunities faster than just applying blindly to jobs. ..."

Reference: financebuzz.com

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Cybercrime Watch | Amazon Fire Sticks Modified for Illegal Streaming Raise Security Concerns

Title: Amazon Fire Sticks Modified for Illegal Streaming Raise Security Concerns

Article Snip: "...experts are warning that modified Amazon Fire Sticks used for illegal streaming can expose users to malware capable of harvesting banking information, passwords and personal data. ..."

Reference: www.lawyer-monthly.com

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Senate Democrats propose $200 monthly boost to Social Security benefits for limited time

Title: Senate Democrats propose $200 monthly boost to Social Security benefits for limited time

Article Snip: "Senate Democrats have unveiled legislation to provide an additional $200 per month to Social Security recipients through mid-2026. ...Democratic leaders argue that the current COLA is insufficient to address rising costs.

The legislation would benefit all Title II Social Security beneficiaries, Supplemental Security Income recipients, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries and veterans receiving disability compensation or pension benefits. ..."

Reference: www.cleveland.com
CPI-W vs. True Inflation, Social Security, Democrats Attempt to Help Struggling Seniors,

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While Trump Plays Blushing Schoolgirl With Mamdani, Senior citizens will pay a lot more for Medicare in 2026

Title: Senior citizens will pay a lot more for Medicare in 2026

Article Snip: "...Senior citizens are the latest group of Americans to face steep increases in their health insurance premiums for 2026.

Medicare Part B premiums will jump nearly 10% next year, the largest increase in four years and second-largest hike, in dollar terms, in the program’s history. The standard monthly premium will be $202.90, an increase of $17.90...fewer plans will offer $0 deductibles for prescription drugs, while maximum out-of-pocket limits for medical care are rising $490, or about 10%, on average. Among Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage that have a monthly premium, the average premium will increase to $66 next year, up from $60 this year."

Reference: www.kwwl.com
Trump Should Be Helping Seniors Rather Than Stroking Democrat Socialist Mamdani,

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Health Watch | This is the optimal morning routine, according to science

Title: This is the optimal morning routine, according to science

Article Snip: "...a purposeful morning can do you good. Research shows, for example, that working out before breakfast burns more fat, improves the body’s insulin response and lowers your risk of diabetes and heart disease. ...But there’s an ever-growing list of demanding tasks to fit into an already busy part of the day.

So, what does a healthy – and realistic – morning look like?"

Reference: www.sciencefocus.com
Optimal morning routine, Exercise Before Breakfast,Health Watch,

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Health Watch | Will the flu shot work and when should you take it?

Title: Will the flu shot work and when should you take it?

Article Snip: "Pharmacies have administered at least 2 million fewer flu vaccines than in the past ...The Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP for short) at the University of Minnesota has been receiving reports that the dominant strain of flu this season in other parts of the world that get flu earlier — H3N2 subclade K — doesn’t match the new vaccine very well.

Pamela Gomez, respiratory disease epidemiologist in the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said people should still be vaccinated against the flu. “As soon as possible is the best action,” she told Deseret News, as even a less-than-perfect match will help keep those who get the flu from hospitalization. It should still reduce the severity should one be sickened by influenza. ..."

Reference: www.deseret.com
Flu Shots, Flu Shot 2025, H3N2 subclade K,

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