Author: TECH

Social Security retirees in the US are expected to get a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027, according to the latest projection by The Senior Citizens’ League’s COLA Watch. If the projection becomes official, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit would increase by about $77, taking it from roughly $2,026 to $2,103.41 per month.Social Security retirees could receive a $77 monthly COLA increase in 2027 (REUTERS)Despite the increase, retirees would still receive about $597 less each month than the estimated average monthly living expenses of an older American, which are around $2,700. The projection has renewed calls from senior…

May tends to be a marathon month for Backline, and 2026 was no exception. The music industry’s go-to mental health nonprofit spent Mental Health Awareness Month doing what it does best: meeting artists, crews, and industry pros exactly where they are — backstage, on tour buses, at festivals, and in the quiet moments between sets. From dropping their 2025 Impact Report to celebrating the 90-day milestone of their new 24/7 crisis line B-LINE, to showing up at Kilby Block Party, Music Biz, and Spotify’s first-ever Nashville Mental Health & Songwriter Summit, Backline made one thing clear: the conversation around mental…

If you’re receiving Social Security benefits (or expect to someday), you’ve probably heard some people discuss the program’s cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, with the same excitement as the first moon landing.But that’s also understandable.Social Security plays a big role in many people’s retirement finances. So a larger COLA versus a smaller one could spell the difference between being able to cover retirement expenses and struggling. If you’re wondering where Social Security’s COLAs come from and how they’re calculated, these are good questions to be asking. Getting the back story on COLAs could help you understand what to expect from benefit…

Asking the right questions is the answer. In a recent email newsletter I wrote, “Calm your mind today. Don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box.” And to my surprise, 67 people quoted that line and responded with the same general question: “How?” I’ve spent some time thinking about how to answer their collective question in the most universal way possible, and I’ve decided that the simplest explanation I can give is this: Ask yourself better questions — questions that focus your thoughts and filter out the excess noise that’s been cluttering your mind. The calming and…

A game a daySelf-care also means improving your brain health. Just play. Maybe Sudoku, a puzzle, or a word game. Make it a daily habit.“It engages the brain and helps boost memory. There are a slew of simple ways to enhance memory — learning something new, doing simple activities using your non-dominant hand, counting backwards,” says Dr Arun.“While browsing the internet, learn something about AI, read an interesting fact you never knew, or learn new words or a language on an app. Anything that keeps the brain engaged in a healthy way helps.”Another healthy habit, Dr Arun adds, is a…

                                What Do You Think? To be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland, a worker must be a “covered employee.” A recent case addresses how that rule applies when an NFL player signs a contract to play in Maryland but is injured in the team’s out-of-state facility before he ever plays a regular game. The defensive tackle was signed to a standard one-year NFL contract with the Washington Commanders. Most of the games that year would be at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The…

According to the official payment schedule shared by the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA), the agency has now issued July 2026’s benefits for the following programs:Before August arrives, however, the SSA still has one round of checks to distribute to SSI beneficiaries.Social Security Admin to close out July 2026 with early paymentOn Friday, July 31, the SSA is due to send out August’s SSI, a day earlier than normal. SSI is typically paid out on the first of each month, but distribution has been brought forward because August 1 is a non-business day.Who is eligible for SSI?A benefit for low-income,…

Having caring parents is a true blessing. As children, it is important to help our parents stay healthy after they turn 60. National Parents Day on July 26 is a time to recognise all that parents do for their families. Supporting their health is one way to show our appreciation. Here, we will look at common health issues parents face after 60, share some simple ayurvedic tips, and suggest Patanjali products that can help. Parents’ Health Issues Post 60In India, parents over 60 often face health challenges that are not contagious but come with age. These can include high blood…

Reese Dyck wants to make sure no other moms feel alone. That’s why the 22-year-old is opening a centre focused on supporting parents postpartum in southeastern Manitoba.The Southeast Postpartum Centre is expected to open in Steinbach this fall, and will provide space for moms to rest, connect with others and find support.Dyck’s children, SJ and Sonny, were born 11 months apart. She struggled with postpartum anxiety and depression after giving birth, and even considered taking her life.”I did not know how I was going to get through it,” Dyck said at her home in Île-des-Chênes, about 25 kilometres southeast of…

Following Andy Burnham’s apology for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, Muslims in Bradford have said the real test for the new PM’s efforts to woo them back in an area where the the issue has reshaped political loyalties for many former Labour voters has only just begun.Burnham said in a statement at the beginning of July, just weeks before he became prime minister, that Labour “didn’t get it right” over Gaza and the party needed to do better under his leadership.He also reiterated his condemnation of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel in which…