Author: TECH

Social Security recipients are just weeks away from finding out how much their benefits could increase in 2027, with the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) expected to be announced in October.Social Security is one of the most important social programs in the U.S. The increase is designed to help millions of Americans keep up with inflation, with the new rate set to determine how much beneficiaries receive in their monthly checks next year.Social security benefits are adjusted for inflation each year. The benefit goes up most years however there have been occasions — 2009, 2010, and 2015 — when inflation was…

Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, chaired by Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, was recognised for its work in healthcare, education and social support. Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza of Burundi has received the 2026 United Nations Population Award in the institutional category, earning recognition for its work to improve healthcare, education and social support for vulnerable women, children and families. Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, who chairs the foundation, was congratulated by Merck Foundation, its long-term partner.  The award was presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The 2026 honour is the 41st edition of the United Nations Population Award,…

– credit, Dominator, supplied to the BBC Jack Gardner couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the behemoth hooked on his fishing line. If he and his crew aboard Dominator reeled it in, he knew it would be the greatest catch of his life and provide the equivalent of a holiday bonus for them all. What Gardner didn’t know was that the giant Atlantic bluefin tuna fighting an hours-long battle on his line was ultimate confirmation that “careful and judicious management” had revived a celebrated fish stock in the North Sea. The Dominator’s tuna weighed in at 745 pounds, and was only about 112…

Social security COLA 2027: Announcement date, will it cover your rising costs?For millions of Americans, the next Social Security COLA announcement is more than another inflation statistic. According to Economic Times, it can shape the size of monthly checks throughout 2027. The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment in October, with October 14 currently identified as the key date. The announcement will follow the release of the July, August and September CPI-W data used in the calculation.The timing matters because the 2027 Social Security COLA is not based on a simple inflation forecast. It comes…

“ You did a great job!” is something most of us love to hear. Whether it comes as a high-five, a pat on the back, a heartfelt compliment, or simply a thoughtful message, recognition can make us feel seen and valued for the effort we’ve put in. Unfortunately, that recognition doesn’t always come. Many people regularly give their time, energy, and effort without receiving much appreciation in return. We may tell ourselves that it doesn’t matter, but feeling overlooked or taken for granted can gradually affect our confidence, motivation, and sense of self-worth. Being unappreciated can be especially painful when…

Social Security is a crucial source of income for many retirees. And many people’s retirement plans center on those benefits specifically. But while it’s one thing to rely on Social Security for income in retirement, it’s another thing to base your entire income plan around it. And once you dig deeper into the program, you might realize why relying too heavily on Social Security in retirement is a problem. Here are a few eye-opening stats about Social Security that may make you rethink your approach to retirement savings. The average retired-worker benefit is $2,086 a month …

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa and DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OpenLoop, a national leader in telehealth-enabled clinical services, and Brightn, an AI-powered upstream mental wellness platform, today announced a strategic partnership to expand access to clinically-informed, preventive mental health support across healthcare, employer, and payer-aligned networks nationwide. The partnership connects Brightn’s AI-driven, daily mental wellness experience with OpenLoop’s nationwide clinical infrastructure, creating a seamless pathway from early emotional awareness to timely clinical care while maintaining appropriate clinical governance. For the first time, Brightn users…

File photo of Social Security checksBradley C Bower / Associated PressAs the last of the August Social Security payments go out this week, here’s a look at who is able to collect benefits even while they’re still working.Connecticut residents can work while collecting Social Security retirement benefits, but people who have not yet reached full retirement age could see some of their benefits withheld if they earn too much.Article continues below this adIn 2026, Social Security recipients who are under full retirement age for the entire year can earn up to $24,480 before their benefits are affected, according to the Social…

For conservation experts and road ecologists, it’s no secret that wildlife corridors like overpasses, underpasses, and tunnels work wonders to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions.According to Pew Charitable Trusts, wildlife crossings can cut large mammal collisions by up to 97%, and each prevented wildlife-vehicle collision can save up to $110,000 in costs. States that have implemented structures like wildlife overpasses also see their investment come back in spades, with these crossings reducing crashes by 90%. But it’s always exciting to see the exact number of lives saved for each crossing. Courtesy of Conservation NorthwestThe Washington State Department of Transportation recently announced that there have…

                                What Do You Think? Does two plus two ever equal two? In Illinois, it may. Illinois employers and workers compensation carriers need to know about the “the two physicians” rule. A recent case involving a driver for Coca-Cola explains how the rule works in practice to limit the number of doctors a claimant may select.  The driver in that case hurt himself while pulling a dolly at work. He was ultimately diagnosed with a torn bicep tendon. He saw several healthcare providers for the…