Social Security

National

Social Security officials partially walk back plans for in-person verification

7:23pm March 26, 2025

Officials said they would now exempt people who apply for Medicare and disability benefits, as well as supplemental income help for the poor, from having to prove their identity in-person.

The Inauguration Of Donald J. Trump As The 47th President

National

Courts push back, wars heat up and 3 more takeaways from Trump's moves this week

5:00am March 21, 2025

Here are five takeaways from a week when President Trump moved ahead with deportations and sweeping changes to the federal government — and ran into obstacles in the courts.

TOPSHOT-US-politics-BUDGET-SHUTDOWN-TRUMP

National

What happens if Congress doesn't fund the government?

4:57pm December 20, 2024

If lawmakers can't reach a deal to avoid a shutdown, many federal workers would be furloughed, while essential functions like Social Security payments would continue.

This disabled woman built a career. A federal program that helped now penalizes her

12:00pm October 02, 2024

Supplemental Security Income provides the medical care that lets people work. But its rules are complex and out of date.

Queue Listen Now

Illustration of a mother leaning over the railing of her baby's crib taking photos on her phone. Heart icons emanate from her phone and a mobile featuring icons of popular social media sites like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook hangs above her head. The image is from the baby's perspective in the crib.

Arts

Why you should think twice before posting that cute photo of your kid online

10:32am May 20, 2024

by Andrew Limbong

Oversharing can make children vulnerable to identity theft, harassment and predators. To protect their privacy, share a 'holiday card-or-less' amount of data online, says expert Leah Plunkett.

Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But benefits are still facing an automatic cut in less than a decade unless Congress takes steps to prop up the program.

The clock is ticking to fix Social Security as retirees face automatic cut in 9 years

7:30pm May 06, 2024

by Scott Horsley

Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But the popular retirement program still faces big challenges including the threat of automatic benefit cuts in less than a decade.

Republican presidential candidates from left, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., participate in a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News Wednesday in Miami.

6 takeaways from the third Republican primary debate

9:08am November 09, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

At the GOP debate in Miami, five Republicans sparred over top issues include the Israel-Hamas war, Ukraine, China, abortion and Social Security. Here's what you need to know.

High inflation has been particularly tough for people who rely on Social Security for their income.

Economy

Social Security recipients will get a smaller increase in benefits as inflation cools

9:12am October 12, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.2% cost of living adjustment next year. Inflation has been moderating recently, with consumer prices in September up 3.7% from a year ago.

Justin Kasieta, who is 22 now, was just 13 when his father died and he was thrust into a role looking after his four younger siblings. In college, he interned in the state legislature and the U.S. Congress.

National

These kids used to get the bill for their own foster care. Now that's changing

10:07am September 12, 2023

by Joseph Shapiro

States routinely took the benefits checks of children in foster care who were orphans or disabled. After an NPR/Marshall Project investigation, there's reform.

Queue Listen Now

House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to members of the media after arriving at the U.S. Capitol on Friday.

Politics & Government

Biden says debt ceiling deal 'very close.' Here's why so far it remains elusive

11:36pm May 26, 2023

The Treasury estimates the country could default on its loans early next month. But negotiators are still hashing out key provisions like whether to expand work requirements for federal assistance.