The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) Monthly Washington Update for the end of October 2025
Trump Administration to make Cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance
According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington, D.C., think tank, the Trump Administration is preparing to change the rules for qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSDI is an integral part of Social Security. It provides essential benefits to workers who cannot support themselves through earnings due to severe and long-lasting disabilities that significantly impede their ability to work, and it helps to prevent beneficiaries and their families from experiencing poverty.
The rule would particularly hurt older workers.
Like the rest of Social Security, SSDI serves predominantly older people; nearly 80 percent of disabled workers are aged 50 or older. SSDI benefits provide vital support to people whose careers are cut short by severe medical impairments. The rule is expected to target older applicants who are already determined to have significant medical impairments by discounting the barriers they face due to their age in their ability to continue substantial work.
The $11 billion monthly disability program is separate from Social Security’s retirement system. It is also far more difficult to qualify for benefits under the program than the disability system for veterans.
Qualifying for disability benefits is a multistep process that can take years, particularly if someone is turned down and appeals. One of the first steps in the process is determining if the applicant has a serious illness or condition on a list of impairments, such as ALS, terminal cancer, or chronic heart failure.
If the applicant's condition is not severe, the government will consider their age, work experience, and education to determine if their disability still allows them to work. Applicants over fifty have a better chance of qualifying for benefits because they are seen as less able to adapt to new work. These factors have made about 42 percent of applicants eligible for benefits, according to Social Security data from 2022.
The changes come as new disability claims have declined. State-level data shows that disability applications are down 7 percent this fiscal year compared with the previous year, according to one analysis. Meanwhile, initial denials of disability claims are up, according to the same analysis, which found that the Social Security Administration approved nearly 3 percent fewer claims last fiscal year compared with this one.
* * * *
Medicare Premiums to Rise in 2026
With the new year just a couple of months away, the Kiplinger Newsletter reports that Medicare users will see their premiums go up next year.
Here is what you can expect, according to that report:
In 2026, Medicare beneficiaries will see an increase in their Part B premiums, a rise in the Part D out-of-pocket cost cap to $2,100, and a higher Part D deductible of $615. Other changes include potential reductions in negotiated drug prices, stricter rules on extra benefits in Medicare Advantage plans, and the introduction of enhanced security measures.
- Part B premium: Expected to increase to approximately $206.50 per month for 2026.
- Part D Deductible: The maximum deductible will rise to $615. That is up from $590 in 2025.
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: The cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs will be $2,100 for 2026.
* * * *
New Medicare Advantage Directory has Errors and Bad Information
We are now in the Medicare Advantage (MA) open enrollment period, and Medicare-eligible seniors can enroll in an MA plan. Each year, it is recommended that those considering enrolling in an MA plan carefully review the plans and determine which one best suits their needs.
This year, to help seniors with that task, the Trump Administration set up a new directory to help them navigate the complexities of selecting doctors, medical providers, and insurance plans. However, the Washington Post investigated and found serious errors in the directory that led to conflicting and incorrect information.
Ahead of the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans that began Wednesday, the Trump administration created a directory to help millions of seniors look up which doctors and medical providers accept which insurance.
However, after an investigation, the Washington Post found that the portal frequently produces erroneous and conflicting information. That inaccurate information could force seniors to foot the bill for regular medical appointments, according to Medicare experts and patient advocates.
The discovery of the errors sparked a scramble within the federal government to fix them. As this is written, fixing the problems is still a work in progress, and it is uncertain how long it will take.
About 34 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans this year. Many Advantage plans combine the various parts of Medicare, such as hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drug coverage, into a single package that often includes additional benefits, such as dental and vision coverage. Lawmakers and advocates have criticized the plans for costing the federal government more than traditional Medicare.
It is important to note that federal officials said in September that anyone who selected a Medicare Advantage plan based on incorrect information about their preferred providers would have three months to choose a new plan.
* * * *
