US Policy Pulse

Social Security faces simultaneous threats from looming insolvency and COLAs that fail to preserve purchasing power.

• Solvency shortfall: Trust...

Multiple pressures are converging on Treasury yields and fiscal outlook.

• Supply glut looms: Coupon sizes steady near-term but could rise in 2027,...

Common retirement moves trigger Medicare surcharges via the two-year lookback, often without appeal options.

• RMDs from $3M 401(k) generate $122K...

Medicare Payment Changes

• 🔥 2027 Medicare Advantage Rate Finalized: CMS finalized a 2.48% Medicare Advantage payment increase for 2027.
• JEC...

Federal rules now apply the three-month ABAWD limit to adults 55-64, with CBO projecting $69 billion in SNAP cuts over a decade.

• California enforces...

The Congressional Budget Office projects the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund will be depleted by 2032—one year sooner than prior...

Treasury auctions show weakening primary dealer demand, while February CBO debt projections already look like underestimates due to $170B tariff...

The finalized 2.48% Medicare Advantage payment increase for 2027 delivers $13 billion extra to insurers, far exceeding the original 0.09% proposal.

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The $109,000 MAGI threshold for 2026 triggers a sudden Part B premium jump from $202.90 to $284.10 monthly — adding nearly $975 yearly with no...

• Spending surge: OACT projects SDP outlays reaching $97.8 billion from approvals through December 2024
• CMS clampdown: New rule ends ACR-based...

The IRS released an updated withholding calculator that helps taxpayers adjust federal income tax withholding for recent tax law changes, reducing the risk of surprises at filing time.

Medicaid Enforcement and Spending Impacts

• 🔥 Oklahoma AI for Medicaid Rules: Oklahoma joins states using AI to enforce Medicaid work...

• Tepid demand for a recent US Treasury auction forced a high yield of 5.122%, reflecting investor unease over geopolitical tensions.
• House...

• Senator Angus King points to a $11 household item that could prevent thousands in medical bills for Medicare enrollees.
• Medicare Rights Center...

CBO-estimated federal Medicaid spending reductions will be allocated across states, directly shaping eligibility and budget pressures.

• AI...

Younger workers face OASI shortfalls but can offset cuts through strategic planning.

• Trust fund depletion within a decade means benefits may drop...

Federal agencies are shifting Medicare and Medicaid oversight from post-payment recovery to pre-payment AI screening and targeted litigation.

• HHS...

• IRS guidance issued May 20 extends plan amendment deadlines to December 31, 2027 for most sponsors, with later dates for collectively bargained and...

Parent PLUS borrowers face a hard June 30 cutoff that permanently eliminates every income-driven repayment option for new consolidations.

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Federal Fiscal Policy Updates

• 🔥 Projected $2 Trillion Deficit: The federal government is projected to run a budget deficit of at least $2...