AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- A projected 3.5% Social Security COLA could add about $73 monthly.
- Sleep apnea rates among adults 70 and older may rise sharply by 2050.
- Medicaid policy recommendations target coverage barriers and AI oversight.
Summary
Social Security COLA forecasts and Medicaid protections are the focus of this week’s update. AARP projects a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits next year, which would increase the average monthly benefit by about $73. The forecast is based on consumer price and inflation trend data, with the final adjustment scheduled to be announced on October 14.
The update also highlights research suggesting sleep apnea could affect more than half of adults age 70 and older by 2050, underscoring the importance of evaluation and treatment. In addition, AARP is urging federal health officials to strengthen Medicaid safeguards by reducing administrative barriers, clarifying eligibility requirements, and establishing guardrails around AI systems that may influence coverage decisions.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full transcript
[0:00:04] Social Security recipients may see a bump in monthly benefits
[0:00:07] next year, AARP predicts.
[0:00:10] AARP is forecasting a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment that would raise the
[0:00:16] average benefit by about $73 a month.
[0:00:19] The projection is based on consumer price and current inflation trends data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Cleveland Federal Reserve.
[0:00:27] It’s the first time AARP announced its prediction before third-quarter inflation reports were released.
[0:00:34] The final COLA adjustment will be announced on October 14th.
[0:00:39] A recent report projects more than half of adults 70 and older could have sleep apnea by 2050.
[0:00:46] That’s up from about one in three older adults in 2020, according to the health journal Sleep.
[0:00:53] Researchers say age-related muscular changes in the throat and neck can make airways more likely to collapse during sleep, reducing oxygen levels.
[0:01:02] Doctors recommend getting evaluated by a sleep specialist, because untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
[0:01:14] AARP is urging federal health officials to strengthen Medicaid protections for family caregivers and people with serious health conditions.
[0:01:23] In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, AARP warned that many Americans could lose coverage — not because they are not eligible, but because of administrative barriers and red tape.
[0:01:36] AARP has offered recommendations that could clarify eligibility requirements, remove extra hurdles for Medicaid beneficiaries, and place guardrails on AI usage that may affect coverage decisions.
