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For nearly 90 years, Social Security has served as the bedrock of retirement security in the United States. Nearly 67 million Americans rely on its benefits — retirees, people with disabilities, survivors and dependents alike. But today, the program is under extraordinary strain. Budget shortfalls, rising demand and administrative challenges are converging in ways that threaten both its integrity and accessibility.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a significant and unexpected change requiring certain customer service requests to be handled in person, eliminating the ability for many Americans to get assistance by phone. This shift, set to take effect in just two weeks, could create unnecessary barriers for millions—especially older adults, people with disabilities, and rural residents who may have to travel long distances or take time off work just to access basic Social Security services.

Most older Americans count on monthly benefits as their largest source of income

News and Notes from AARP Michigan

Explore advice, resources and tips to help make your caregiving easier and more rewarding

This blog is part of the Care Package series, designed to support caregivers with actionable tips and resources. Check out the full series here.

The annual program aims to make communities in Michigan more livable for people of all ages

When temperatures start to fall in Michigan, one thing is certain: you’ll start to use more natural gas to heat your home, which can lead to higher energy bills.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 introduced major updates to retirement savings, offering greater flexibility for individuals managing their 401(k) plans. These changes, effective in 2024, allow easier access to retirement funds for emergencies and adjust required minimum distribution (RMD) rules. While the updates are helpful, it’s important to weigh the long-term impact of these decisions on your financial future.

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