What to Know for Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026:

1: Remarriage changes Social Security benefit eligibility — rules differ dramatically by benefit type, requiring SSA contact to maximize income

(Image Credit: Getty Images)

  • Retirement benefit claims remain unchanged after remarriage — SSA pays whichever is larger between your own retirement benefit or new spousal benefit: If your new spouse's spousal benefit exceeds your retirement benefit amount, you automatically become eligible for the higher amount but must contact SSA to request the change — remarriage doesn't reduce retirement benefits already being received, only increases eligibility for potentially larger spousal payments — spousal benefit available only if new partner already receiving retirement checks.

  • Ex-spousal benefits terminate upon remarriage — losing ability to claim on ex's work record but gaining ability to claim on new spouse's record: Those married 10+ years before divorcing can claim on ex's record regardless of their remarriage; remarrying erases this eligibility — however, immediately gains spousal benefit eligibility on new spouse's record (if receiving benefits) potentially offsetting loss — net change depends on comparative benefit amounts between ex and new spouse's records.

  • Survivor benefits on deceased spouse's record continue despite remarriage if you're 60+ (or 50+ if disabled) — no automatic changes occur: Winning the "age gate" at remarriage preserves deceased-spouse survivor benefits while simultaneously opening spousal benefit eligibility on new spouse's record (if new partner receiving retirement) — eligible to claim whichever is larger — contact SSA immediately to review options and switch to higher benefit if available.

2: E-Verify Self Lock + Electronic Access Block provide dual protection for Social Security accounts — two free tools prevent wage theft and benefit fraud

(Image Credit: Envato)

  • E-Verify Self Lock prevents criminals from using your SSN to get jobs with employers participating in federal E-Verify system — creates one-year lock requiring employer confirmation only after scammer manually removes it: If someone uses your Social Security number to work, wages get reported to IRS under your name triggering notice delays, tax refund holds, months of correction work — activate free at e-verify.gov by answering identity-verification questions — lock renews annually; if you return to work, can temporarily remove online then reactivate after employment ends.

  • Social Security's Electronic Access Block disables online and automated telephone access to your Social Security record preventing scammers changing direct deposit, redirecting benefits, or updating personal information: Activate by calling SSA 800-772-1213 or visiting local office requesting Electronic Access Block — extra barrier requires identity verification before restoring your own access, minor inconvenience worth protection — prevents account takeovers after data breaches or compromised usernames/passwords.

  • Combined strategy: credit freeze + my Social Security account + Electronic Access Block + IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) = comprehensive identity theft defense: Create my Social Security account yourself before scammers do at ssa.gov/myaccount — request six-digit IP PIN at irs.gov (acts as second password for tax returns preventing someone else filing under your SSN) — keep credit frozen unless applying for new credit — identity theft survivors should activate both E-Verify Self Lock and Electronic Access Block immediately.

3: Eli Lilly's Foundayo capturing one-third of new GLP-1 pill starts — Medicare $50/month program expanding access to 20M seniors since July

(Image Credit: Reuters)

  • CEO David Ricks announced September 21 that Foundayo (Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill) is capturing approximately one-third of all new patients starting GLP-1 tablets — Lilly's market share still rising week-by-week against Novo Nordisk's Wegovy: Foundayo launched April 2026, generating $98M in sales first full quarter — Medicare coverage starting July 1 at $50/month significantly accelerating adoption — Ricks told CNBC: "Lilly's momentum continues with 48% revenue growth" and company raising full-year guidance — oral pills preferred over injectable for convenience, accessibility despite slightly lower efficacy than injectable options.

  • CEO estimates 20-30 million Medicare beneficiaries with obesity and related conditions eligible for GLP-1 treatments — coverage represents "big multiplier on eligible pool": Medicare Bridge Program covers eligible Part D patients at $50/month (actual cost $245-300/month) with government absorbing difference through December 31, 2027 — Wegovy pill had 3M prescriptions as of June 2026 after five-month market presence; Foundayo gaining share month-to-month — insurers pulling back coverage for commercial patients but Medicare program expanding access significantly.

  • Ricks argues obesity drives "$4 out of every $10 in health care spending" — long-term savings despite short-term medication costs: Lilly breaking ground on $6.5B Houston manufacturing facility to increase Foundayo production capacity — U.S. price declining 9% but volume growth offsetting reductions — company expects Medicare adoption lifting financial results through remainder 2026 as convenience of pills drives uptake — competitive battle with Novo intensifying as both companies scale production/access for what Ricks calls "first time we can arrest obesity completely."

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This newsletter is for information only. Always confirm your options directly with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or a qualified advisor before making big decisions about your benefits.