The news, with the bill attached.https://reckonwire.com/https://reckonwire.com/notes/fomc-decision-sep2026/https://reckonwire.com/notes/fomc-decision-sep2026/The Fed's next rate decision, paired with fresh economic projections and the dot plot, is set for September 16, 2026.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/the-cola-medicare-squeeze/https://reckonwire.com/notes/the-cola-medicare-squeeze/A 3.6% COLA on a $1,900 check is about $68. A projected $6.60 Part B increase takes roughly a tenth of it before the deposit lands.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/2027-cola-estimate-3-6-percent/https://reckonwire.com/notes/2027-cola-estimate-3-6-percent/Estimates for the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment run from 3.2% to 3.6% after July inflation data. SSA announces the confirmed figure on October 14.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/irmaa-2027-brackets-when-announced/https://reckonwire.com/notes/irmaa-2027-brackets-when-announced/IRMAA decides whether you pay a surcharge on top of Part B. The 2027 brackets are not confirmed until CMS publishes them around November 2026.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/october-14-the-day-the-cola-is-set/https://reckonwire.com/notes/october-14-the-day-the-cola-is-set/SSA is expected to announce the confirmed 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026, once September CPI-W is published.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/one-in-six-households-behind-on-utility-bills/https://reckonwire.com/notes/one-in-six-households-behind-on-utility-bills/Roughly 1 in 6 U.S. households entered 2026 behind on utility bills, with a combined $25 billion owed projected by year end.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/utilities-asked-for-9-4-billion-in-rate-hikes/https://reckonwire.com/notes/utilities-asked-for-9-4-billion-in-rate-hikes/In Q1 2026 alone, utilities requested $9.4 billion in rate increases from state commissions, following $31 billion in requests across 2025.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/what-tariffs-cost-your-household-2026/https://reckonwire.com/notes/what-tariffs-cost-your-household-2026/Credible 2026 estimates of the per-household tariff cost differ by a factor of four. The spread is not sloppiness — it is what each study measures.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/401k-limit-2027-projected-25000/https://reckonwire.com/notes/401k-limit-2027-projected-25000/Projections put the 2027 elective deferral limit at $25,000, up $500. The IRS confirms the real figure in late October or early November 2026.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-open-enrollment-oct-15-dec-7/https://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-open-enrollment-oct-15-dec-7/Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Changes made in that window take effect January 1; miss it and you generally wait a year.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-part-b-2027-premium-projection/https://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-part-b-2027-premium-projection/The Trustees Report puts the 2027 standard Part B premium at $209.50, up $6.60 from 2026. Private forecasters think it lands higher. Here is the gap.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/minimum-wage-increases-january-2027/https://reckonwire.com/notes/minimum-wage-increases-january-2027/Seventeen states adjust their minimum wage for inflation each January. Michigan and Nebraska reach $15.00, Washington leads at $17.13.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/tariffs-343-billion-collected/https://reckonwire.com/notes/tariffs-343-billion-collected/Cumulative tariff costs have reached $343 billion, with residents of five states carrying a disproportionate share of the burden.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/aca-subsidy-expiration-what-congress-decided/https://reckonwire.com/notes/aca-subsidy-expiration-what-congress-decided/The enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired December 31, 2025. The average net monthly premium rose $65 — about $780 over a full year.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/data-centers-and-your-power-bill/https://reckonwire.com/notes/data-centers-and-your-power-bill/Residential electricity prices rose 25% from 2020 to 2024 while industrial users saw little increase — and some now pay less than two years ago.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/irs-2027-tax-brackets-what-we-know/https://reckonwire.com/notes/irs-2027-tax-brackets-what-we-know/The IRS publishes 2027 brackets and the standard deduction in October or November 2026. The seven-rate structure stays; the thresholds move with inflation.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-part-b-increase-slower-than-last-year/https://reckonwire.com/notes/medicare-part-b-increase-slower-than-last-year/After a $17.90 jump in 2026, the projected 2027 Part B increase is $6.60. What changed, and why the projection may still be low.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/electricity-prices-up-7-3-percent/https://reckonwire.com/notes/electricity-prices-up-7-3-percent/Residential electricity rates rose 7.3% between April 2025 and April 2026, part of a nearly 40% climb since 2021. Summer bills were projected up 10.5%.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/student-loan-rap-how-your-payment-is-calculated/https://reckonwire.com/notes/student-loan-rap-how-your-payment-is-calculated/The Repayment Assistance Plan charges 1% to 10% of adjusted gross income, minus $50 per dependent, with a $10 monthly floor and no cap.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/student-loan-rap-who-pays-more/https://reckonwire.com/notes/student-loan-rap-who-pays-more/The Repayment Assistance Plan has no ceiling tied to the 10-year standard plan, so some borrowers pay more than they would have under IBR.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/who-loses-coverage-22-million/https://reckonwire.com/notes/who-loses-coverage-22-million/Analysts put the number of people facing sharply higher health costs or losing coverage after the enhanced ACA credits expired at close to 22 million.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/aca-subsidies-expired-what-you-pay-now/https://reckonwire.com/notes/aca-subsidies-expired-what-you-pay-now/The average net Marketplace premium went from $113 to $178 a month after enhanced tax credits ended. KFF put the increase for subsidized enrollees at 114%.Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/eitc-refunds-held-until-mid-february/https://reckonwire.com/notes/eitc-refunds-held-until-mid-february/The PATH Act requires the IRS to hold the entire refund of EITC and ACTC filers until mid-February, not just the part tied to the credit.Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/tax-season-2027-opens-late-january/https://reckonwire.com/notes/tax-season-2027-opens-late-january/The IRS is expected to start accepting 2026 returns around January 25-27, 2027. For EITC and ACTC filers, an early return does not mean an early refund.Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/snap-fy2027-maximum-allotments/https://reckonwire.com/notes/snap-fy2027-maximum-allotments/The FY2027 SNAP maximum allotment is $306 for one person and $1,023 for a family of four in the 48 states and D.C. The minimum benefit goes from $24 to $25.Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://reckonwire.com/notes/snap-increase-takes-effect-october-1/https://reckonwire.com/notes/snap-increase-takes-effect-october-1/The FY2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustment takes effect October 1, 2026. New maximums and income limits apply automatically to October benefits.Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT