2026 Social Security Trustees’ Report to Congress – Highlights Disability Income (DI) Trust Fund – Can pay full benefits until the year 2100. Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund – Can pay full benefits only until 4Q 2032. After that, revenue would cover only 78% of scheduled benefits unless Congress acts Both Trusts (DI and OASI) combined (can’t be combined without an Act of Congress) – can pay full benefits until 3Q 2034, benefits will be cut to 83% then, and then again to 65% by 3100. Analysts estimate a 75-year actuarial deficit of 4.42% of taxable payroll, with a present-value shortfall of roughly $31 trillion. In plain English, there is no tiny fix left. The penalty for inaction should have been political death long ago. Instead, we reelected members of Congress who knowingly abandoned the futures of our children. Their OASI and the Medicare HI trust legacies are …
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How to save money on your Medicare prescription drugs
If you’re an older American, it doesn’t matter whether you carry Medicare Part D prescription coverage or you’re taking on the cost of prescription drugs on your own — no one has to tell you how expensive it can be. Even with Part D, your deductible can be as much as $615 annually, and your out-of-pocket spending must reach $2,100 before hitting the catastrophic coverage stage, during which your prescriptions are free.
Chances are you’ve spent years saving for retirement and don’t want a large portion of what you’ve worked for to go toward medical expenses. Fortunately, there are ways to cut the cost of your prescription drugs. These six tips can help you get started.
Compare Part D plans annually: Medicare Part D plans change annually. Everything — from the medications it covers to how much it costs to stay on the plan — is subject to change. The plan that was most cost-effective for you this year may no longer be the best choice. Use the annual enrollment period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 17) to compare plans based on your specific medications. Medicare’s Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov allows you to enter all your prescriptions to learn which plan offers the lowest total cost.
Ask for generic alternatives: Whenever your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask whether a generic is available. While generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they cost significantly less. In fact, a generic can be up to 85% less expensive than the name-brand you were prescribed. If there’s no generic available, ask your doctor about different medications that treat the same condition but may be less expensive.
Find out if there’s a higher-dose pill you can split: Ask your healthcare provider if there’s a higher dose of the medication that they’ve prescribed. If so, find out what the price is and if it’s something you can split in half so that the prescription lasts twice as long.
Take advantage of the government’s “Extra Help” program: If you’re low-income and meet resource limitations, Medicare’s Extra Help program can help you manage the high cost of healthcare in retirement by covering deductibles and copayments. In addition to meeting income limitations, you must live in the U.S. and be enrolled in (or eligible for) Part D.
Use mail-order pharmacies: Most Part D plans offer 90 days’ worth of your prescriptions through mail-order pharmacies. Not only are 90-day supplies convenient, but they’re often less expensive than three 30-day supplies at retail pharmacies.
Use prescription drug discount card: If you find that your medication is cheaper by using a discount card rather than through your Part D plan, tell the pharmacist to charge you the out-of-pocket price for the drug based on your card. However, this out-of-pocket spending will not count toward your Part D plan’s out-of-pocket maximum of $2,100 in 2026.
Seek out patient assistance programs: Pharmaceutical manufacturers frequently provide programs for those who can’t afford their medications. Websites like RxAssist.org and NeedyMeds.org can help you track down programs that cover specific drugs. Make sure you’re meeting all eligibility rules.
No matter how often you factor in the cost of healthcare as you plan for retirement, the reality can be a tough pill to swallow. Reducing prescription drug costs requires annual vigilance, communication with your healthcare providers, and a little detective work.
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The articles and opinion pieces below are for information and are not necessarily a reflection of the NRLN’s position on issues.
The NRLN is nonpartisan and its positions on retirement issues are presented in its Legislative Agenda and white papers that can be accessed from under the Legislative Agenda tab on the website main menu.
