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August 26 Social Security payments: who’s in line this week
1 day ago•Source: USA Today
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Costco to offer Medicare plans through SCAN in select states
Costco will offer Medicare Advantage in two states and a Medigap plan in one state through a SCAN Group partnership; the exact rollout states haven’t been disclosed, but SCAN already serves Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, where Costco operates many stores. This expands Costco’s services beyond groceries and aligns with moves by rivals like Walmart to broaden warehouse-club healthcare offerings, targeting its substantial population of baby boomer shoppers.
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SSA Aug. 19 Pay Day: Who Will See Their Social Security Benefit This Week
usatoday.com•8 days ago
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Powerball restarts at $35 million after Saturday draw yields no winner
USA Today•9 days ago
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The 1982-D Small Date Penny: Why the $20,000 Treasure Hunt Is Largely a Myth
USA TODAY debunks the viral claim that a 1982-D Small Date penny could be worth $18,000–$25,000, noting only two such coins have been publicly confirmed (2016 and 2019). The rarity stems from a transitional year when the Mint shifted from copper to zinc and created several penny varieties; the genuine 1982-D Small Date weighs 3.1 g, while common 1982 pennies weigh 2.5 g. With 10.7 billion pennies minted, unicorns like this are vanishingly rare, and many online listings misrepresent weight or mint details. Buyers should beware of scams on sites like eBay and prefer major auction houses with NGC holders; the safest bet for a “small date” is rolling 1982-D coins or mint bags, though the odds of finding one remain extremely slim.
401(k) Balances Near Million-Dollar Milestones Amid Retirement Fears in 2026
Empower’s analysis of over five million 401(k) accounts shows the average balance is about $351,242, up roughly 11% year over year, with balances rising with age and peaking in the 60s; about one in five savers has at least $1 million, and the average for people in their 50s is around $1.07 million. The findings highlight the power of compounding and employer matches, which can significantly boost growth. Yet surveys show lasting retirement anxiety: many Americans expect to need about $1.2 million to retire, expect only about $500k or less on Day One, and worry about Social Security funding as projection suggests funds could be tighter by 2032, underscoring ongoing concerns about retirement readiness.
August Social Security payments go out Aug. 12 for most recipients
The first round of August Social Security payments will be issued on August 12 for beneficiaries born 1–10, following the SSA’s standard Wednesday schedule. Social Security benefits are typically paid on Wednesdays based on birthdate. Because August 1 fell on a Saturday, SSI payments for August were sent on July 31. The article also lists SSI dates for the rest of 2026 (Sept. 1; Oct. 1; Oct. 30 for November; Dec. 1 and Dec. 31 into January 2027) and notes ongoing long-term funding concerns for Social Security, though payments will proceed on the normal schedule this month.
Powerball jackpot balloons to $748 million; Monday's numbers revealed
Powerball's jackpot has swelled to an estimated $748 million (cash value $325.1 million) for the next drawing after no ticket matched all six numbers since May. Monday's drawing produced 8, 30, 41, 48, 54 and Powerball 4, with a 2x Power Play. Tickets cost $2. The next drawing is Wednesday, Aug. 5 around 10:59 p.m. ET. Players can choose Quick Pick or manually select numbers.
Barnes & Noble debunks viral $1 book promo scam
Barnes & Noble says the viral posts claiming $1 books are real are false and likely phishing scams; the retailer urges customers to view legitimate promotions only on its official site or in stores.
July 22 Social Security payments: who gets paid this week
Social Security checks for July 22 will be issued this week per SSA rules: people born between the 21st and the end of their birth month will receive their benefits on July 22, with the remainder following the SSA calendar—birthdays 1–10 on the second Wednesday, 11–20 on the third Wednesday, and after the 20th on the fourth Wednesday. SSI payments go out on the first business day of the month, and those who receive both Social Security and SSI get Social Security on the third day and SSI on the first. The article also notes a potential funding shortfall by 2032 and discusses a proposal to cap benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.
Three States Stand Out as Affordable for Homebuyers, Study Finds
A study using the 30% of income rule for housing costs finds only Louisiana, Iowa, and Minnesota meet affordability for typical homebuyers; California is among the least affordable. Nationally, median home prices rose above $400,000 in late 2024 and stayed high into 2026, while mortgage rates have remained elevated since 2022, keeping many markets outside the affordability threshold.
Switching Made Simple: Small Steps, Big Savings
Regulators have simplified switching for broadband, energy and bank accounts, often requiring just one call or a few clicks to save hundreds. Ofcom’s One Touch Switch lets you switch by contacting the new provider only, and the Current Account Switch Service handles moving direct debits, balances and closing the old account. Energy switching is also streamlined, with tips to cut costs by paying monthly via direct debit and choosing fixed vs. variable tariffs, plus a reminder to watch for exit fees and to provide meter readings during the process. A recent Ofcom finding against Virgin Media highlights past switching friction, but overall the system now aims to make switching quicker and more reliable.
Is San Francisco on the brink of an AI-driven housing bubble?
AI-rich demand is pushing San Francisco’s housing market higher, with rents around $4,000 for a one-bedroom and properties selling far above asking as OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX bring capital and talent to the city; experts warn the surge may reflect a bubble risk—echoing the dot-com era—while officials push affordable-housing measures and residents worry about long-term affordability.
Three Dates That Will Reshape Federal Student Loans This Summer
Federal student loans are set for sweeping changes this summer: June 15 will bring discharge notices for the last group of Sweet v. McMahon Borrower Defense applicants; June 30 is the consolidation deadline for Parent PLUS loans to preserve IDR eligibility and forgiveness options; and July 1 introduces the RAP repayment plan, winds down the SAVE plan, and imposes new PSLF limits plus a Tiered Standard option, so borrowers should consolidate by June 30 if possible and get ready for tighter repayment and forgiveness rules going forward.