Tom Zumbach - American Senior Benefits

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

The U.S. federal government’s total debt has surpassed $40 trillion, as a tracker from the Treasury Department put it above that big milestone on Wednesday.⁠
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The national debt is often discussed in terms of “macroeconomic measures that feel distant from everyday life,” but it has real-world consequences for Americans, including for students financing college, families buying homes and retirees relying on Social Security, according to a report that came out Tuesday from the Conference Board as the milestone neared.⁠
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The report looked at a business-as-usual scenario where annual deficits remain at around 6% to 7% of U.S. gross domestic product, a good case where they fall to 3% of GDP, and a bad case where they rise to 9% — and then estimated the impact of those scenarios on big life decisions such as taking out a student loan, purchasing a home or starting to collect full Social Security benefits.⁠
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It emphasized that interest rates tend to rise with the national debt, as investors demand higher rates due to the higher risks associated with government debt.⁠
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Read more here: https://trib.al/9ayVb4O

08/21/2026

That 4% rule isn't a guarantee. There's only one way to guarantee lifetime income and that is with an annuity.

The Real Cost of Retirement for a Single American in Every State—And the Nest Egg Needed to Afford It - Link in the comments ⬇️

08/12/2026

Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment could be between 3.2% and 3.6% in 2027, adding at least $67 a month to the average retiree benefit amid cooling inflation.⁠
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Estimates for next year’s COLA varied among analysts but were higher than the average increase of 2.6% seen over the last 20 years. The forecasts were also above this year’s COLA of 2.8%.⁠
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The COLA is not a raise, but rather an adjustment to help beneficiaries keep pace with inflation. The average Social Security retirement benefit is about $2,092 a month as of June, according to the Social Security Administration.⁠
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Read more here: https://trib.al/1wah5wq

07/29/2026

Healthcare costs are climbing again next year, but fortunately, Part B rate hikes are expected to stay well under 5%, a relief compared to last year's jump.

07/29/2026

If you’re getting ready to sign up for Medicare and have a Health Savings Account (HSA), visit Medicare to find out when you should stop contributing to your HSA, and how to use it with Medicare: https://go.medicare.gov/4aJzVj0

07/25/2026

If you qualify for Extra Help, you could get assistance paying for your Medicare Part D premium, deductibles, and other costs. It could pay to see if you qualify: https://go.medicare.gov/4uFZ99N

07/25/2026

"If you invest for a longer period, then fixed or indexed annuities or even indexed universal life insurance products can provide better returns than Treasury bonds."

6 Essential Strategies to Protect Your Investments from a Market Crash - Link in the comments ⬇️

07/14/2026

Beware of the overshare! Scammers sometimes pose as Medicare representatives on social media, over the phone, or via email to try and get your Medicare information, like your Medicare Number. Don’t share it—report scammers at https://go.medicare.gov/4vsBnOM.