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20 Little-Known Things That Could Help With Bills If You're Living On Just Social Security

Last updated May 31, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

These Social Security Changes That Could Put More Money in Your Pocket in 2026

Social Security is a major source of retirement income, and in 2026, several changes could mean more money in your pocket. Here's what's changing and how it could help you.

  1. A 2.8% bump to your monthly check: Social Security benefits are going up 2.8% in 2026. For the average retiree, that's roughly $56 more per month. It may not sound like much, but over a year that's an extra $672.
  2. The maximum possible benefit just hit a new high: If you've been a high earner, the ceiling is higher than ever. The maximum monthly benefit at full retirement age is now $4,152. And if you can wait until 70 to claim, that number jumps to $5,181 per month.
  3. You can earn more without losing benefits: If you're collecting Social Security early and still working, the earnings limits are higher in 2026. You can now earn up to $24,480 before any benefits are withheld, and up to $65,160 in the year you hit full retirement age.
  4. A new $6,000 tax deduction for seniors: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a new deduction for taxpayers 65 and older: up to $6,000 per person ($12,000 for qualifying married couples). You can claim it whether you itemize or not. It phases out above $75,000 MAGI for singles and $150,000 for joint filers, and it's only available for tax years 2025 through 2028.

These changes could help stretch your benefits further and lower your tax bill in retirement. If you're looking for even more ways to make your money go further, check out these offers from our partners below:

Get a free stair lift estimate before you sink $10,000s into renovating your home

If you or a loved one struggles with stairs, do not move to a new house or spend $10,000+ on a home elevator or renovation. An affordable custom stair lift could be a faster solution (and $1,000s cheaper) and this free in-home consultation can help you find one.

Leaf Home Safety Solutions is actively helping senior homeowners get custom stair lifts without spending a fortune. They offer straight, curved, and outdoor options, installed by pros and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. You could stay in the home you love without a renovation.

Skip the stress of researching stair lift companies on your own. Leaf Home brings trained local experts to your door for a free, no-pressure estimate.

You might be a good fit if: 1) You own your home, 2) You or a loved one has trouble with stairs, and 3) Your ZIP code qualifies.

Complete this short form to get started

See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, National Debt Relief's certified debt specialists may be able to help you consolidate your debt into one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is resolved, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!1

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

You’ve spent your whole life building up your retirement savings, but market volatility and inflation could be threatening everything you’ve worked so hard for.

U.S. Gold Bureau is actively helping Americans like you find greater retirement security with precious metal investments. They offer everything from physical ownership to IRAs in gold and silver that have a proven track record during unstable markets.

In fact, from 2005 to 2020, the price of gold increased by 330%. And during the stock market crash of 2008, the value of gold actually increased by 25%.2

Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Request your FREE IRA investor's guide and receive up to $20,000 in free gold.3
  2. Speak to a dedicated specialist about the best option for you.
  3. Transfer or invest to better diversify your portfolio.

You're in good hands, as they boast an A+ rating with the BBB, are the U.S. Mint’s largest bulk purchaser, and share a facility with the nation's only state-administered precious metals depository. If you have at least $30,000 to invest,take control of your savings now.

Advisor fees: You could be overpaying for your retirement planning

Not all advisor fees are created equal. Some advisors charge a flat annual retainer, like $5,000 a year regardless of how much you have invested. Others can bill hourly, around $250 per hour, only when you need them. And some earn commissions on the products they recommend. For example, they may earn a cut of insurance premiums or mutual fund fees, which can quietly work against your interests. Knowing how your advisor gets paid can make a real difference in what you keep.

This free matching quiz pairs you with vetted fiduciary advisors in your area, so you can compare options and pick the one that fits.

Use this card to pay no interest for 15 months (yes, it is kind of remarkable)

Imagine getting 15 months with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (APR then 17.49% - 26.49% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading no-interest cards - the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) - and pay no interest into 2027 on purchases and balance transfers!

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer high-interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (APR then 17.49% - 26.49% Variable). Cardholders also get a generous intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases (APR then 17.49% - 26.49% Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

The best part? The Discover it® Cash Back is accepted by 99% of merchants (according to the February 2025 issue of the Nilson Report), boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and has no annual fee.

Click here to apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back

Get financial guidance without the cost with this 100% free plan

Financial plans don’t need to cost hundreds or require meeting with an advisor. Studies show that simply having a plan significantly improves confidence and outcomes.4

Our tool creates a 100% free personalized financial plan — no advisor fees, no sales pitches, no pressure. Just clear guidance based on your financial situation.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Click the link below.
  2. Answer a few quick questions: your goals, income, and spending habits.
  3. Securely link your accounts through Plaid (checking, savings, cards, etc.).
  4. Receive your personalized money plan instantly, including recommended spending ranges, savings targets, and simple steps to feel more in control.

The tool analyzes your real spending patterns and gives you a clear breakdown of where your money should go each month, without guilt or guesswork. It’s 100% free, and you’ll finally know exactly what to do next with your money.

Click here to get your free financial plan and see the advice that an advisor might charge you hundreds for.

Get $30,000-$500,000 from your home (no monthly payments)

This is really cool. If you own a home and want to take equity out (to pay down debt or fund home renovations, for example) you can — but usually, you have to make payments each month. This company gets rid of that.

It sounds crazy, but it’s called Unison, and it lets you take money out of your home right now without making monthly payments. It's called an Equity Sharing Agreement (ESA), which is a partnership with you and Unison where you get money now in return for a portion of your home’s future appreciation in value.

Unison can give you access to $30,000-$500,000, but you can take what you need based on what you qualify for.5 You can also leave the partnership at any time by buying them out or selling your home. To get started, go to their website, enter your address, and instantly see how much you qualify for. It’s incredible.

Complete the form here and get your instant cash estimate

Ohio residents, see if you could save on a walk-in shower upgrade

Design your perfect shower without breaking the bank. If you live in Ohio and your bathroom is stuck in the past, it's time for an upgrade you'll actually use every day.

HomeBuddy connects you with pre-screened local pros who install modern walk-in showers built around your style, your space, and your needs.

Skip the runaround. Get matched with a contractor and secure a free estimate in minutes. No pressure. No hassle.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. You're ready to ditch the old tub.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Get your free estimate to get started

Access your home equity to cover debt — no monthly payments for 10 years

If you're carrying high-interest debt, your home’s equity may be able to help pay it down — without adding another monthly loan payment.

This isn’t a HELOC or refinance. Instead, Unlock offers a home equity agreement (HEA), which gives you cash today in exchange for a share of your home’s future value.

With Unlock, you could access up to $500,000 of your home’s equity and make no payments for ten years.

And don’t worry — Unlock has an A+ rating from the BBB. So see what you’re eligible for, and you could have the funds you need to end your toxic debt loop sooner than you think.

See what you may qualify for with a quick eligibility check

Earn 10% cash back on your next Walmart purchase

If you're still using an account that charges monthly fees and you earn next to nothing on your savings, you need to try OnePay. When you bank through OnePay, you get a mobile banking app and secured credit card with no monthly fees, no minimum balances, and no overdraft fees.6

Sign up for OnePay here and you can earn 3% cash back on Walmart, gas, or dining on up to $150 spent per month, with eligible deposits.7On top of that, you can earn 3.35% APY on your savings with eligible deposits8and get paid up to 2 days early when you set up direct deposit.9 And you can earn 25¢/gallon extra cash back on your first gas purchase.10

You also get fee-free overdraft with eligible deposits,11fee-free cash withdrawals at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs worldwide,12and free bill pay with eligible deposits.13

Limited time offer: earn 10% cash back on your first Walmart purchase made within your first month, on up to $200 spent.14

Open a OnePay deposit account today

Tax Debt: Ask this company to pay off your late tax debt

Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.

It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.

Tax Relief Advocates is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could even eliminate or reduce some of the debt you owe.

While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Tax Relief Advocates talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.

Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special program you must owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.

Fill out this form to get started

Stop paying for gutter cleaning services (seniors could save $100s every year!)

Hiring a gutter cleaner multiple times per year can be expensive over the lifetime of your home, adding up to $1,000s of dollars. But with this new service, senior homeowners may be able to get rid of that annoying yearly cost!

LeafFilter is a powerful, one-of-a-kind gutter guard that’s so effective you may be able to stop hiring gutter cleaners altogether. The best part is that this company will clean out and realign your gutters prior to installing for you.

Don’t waste your money on cheap, ineffective solutions that claim to be clog-free. LeafFilter’s micromesh filter provides durability and performance that keeps your gutters protected from common debris.

See if you qualify today: Click the link below, enter your ZIP code and home info, and a LeafFilter representative will call you to schedule a free estimate.

Enter your ZIP code here to get started

Hearing Aids: Get a 45-day no-risk trial for these revolutionary German-engineered hearing aids

Have you noticed voices sounding muffled or find yourself asking “what?” more often? Hearing conversations clearly makes all the difference, whether it’s sharing laughs with family or catching every word with friends. The good news? There’s a simple way to bring back the clarity.

Horizon IX hearing aids by hear.com offer crystal-clear speech understanding using advanced German technology. These nearly invisible, medical-grade devices provide twice the speech clarity of competitors, even in noisy places.

The aids connect to a simple smartphone app that makes them easy to set up and use. Plus, Horizon IX lasts up to 19 hours on a single charge, so no more dead batteries.

hear.com is trusted by over 500,000 customers worldwide, has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.9/5 rating at Consumer Affairs, and is known for their award-winning customer service.

We don’t know how long this will last. If your credit score is 680+ you may qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial and flexible financing options. Click below, answer the questions, and enter your phone number at the end to secure your trial.

Schedule a call to request a 45-day no-risk trial and flexible financing

Pay less when you stay at hotels and dine out


Best Western Senior Discounts: Minimum 10% discount on room rates for guests aged 55 and over.

Denny's Senior Discount: Special discounted menu for guests aged 55 and above. Additionally, AARP members receive 15% off their total bill at participating locations.

AMC Theatres Senior Pricing: Discounted ticket prices for seniors aged 60 and above.

Stop getting ripped off by high-interest debt payments

If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.

If that's you, a company called Freedom Debt Relief wants to help. They could help negotiate with your creditors to settle your unsecured debt for less than you owe.

Think about it this way: $30,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $622.60 every single month in interest alone. But Freedom Debt Relief’s representatives may be able to help you resolve that debt for less than you owe.

That’s more money you'd get to keep for yourself while you continue to pay down your debt. Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and there are no fees until your unsecured debt is completely resolved.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot with more than 48,000 verified reviews, and they've already helped over 1 million clients settle more than $20 billion in debt15 It's certainly worth a shot if you're feeling suffocated by debt.

See if your $30K+ credit card debt qualifies for options with Freedom Debt Relief

Senior homeowners in Ohio could be eligible to borrow from their home equity (see if you qualify)

If you want to renovate your home or consolidate debt, you could get a loan. But if you own a home in Ohio and have decent equity, you need to see this instead. This popular program lets you tap into up to $400,000 fast, without affecting your mortgage rate or getting into more high interest debt.

Rocket Mortgage is actively helping homeowners use their home’s equity to wipe out toxic high interest debt or finally tackle big home upgrades. Their tool finds your lowest eligible fixed rate and gets you the money you need so you can use it immediately. No hidden fees. No long waits. No hassle.

Slash your interest burden and fix what’s broken without giving up your current mortgage rate.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You’ve owned your home for 2+ years.
  2. You’ve built some equity.
  3. Your credit score is 680 or higher.

See how much cash you can access (no impact to your credit)

Restaurants & Meal Delivery: Take advantage of massive discounts at restaurants and meal delivery companies

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on:

  • Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
  • Meal deliveries
  • Airfare, Hotels, Cruises and Rental Cars
  • Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance

Plus you’ll also get insider info on retirement planning, job listings, caregiving.

How to become a member today:

  • Click the link below, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

For a limited time, get 30% off your AARP membership, making it just $11/year with a 5-year plan.

Earn a bonus worth $200 to use toward your next flight or hotel 

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 3 months — that's worth $200 toward travel!

There is no extra work beyond the spending requirement to earn the early spend bonus, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card also lets you earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

Redeem miles for flights, hotels, and car rentals, OR statement credits, gift cards, and transfers to over 15 airline or hotel partners! If you travel even once a year this card could is worth it and could net you with $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay — apply today!

Recommended for good or excellent credit.

Click here to apply for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card now

Home Insurance: If your income is limited, switch your home insurance and you could save a ton of money

If you have home insurance, you need to see the recent rates available to you. There’s a good chance you’ll want to switch your policy if you see a better rate.

The best way to check for up-to-date rates: Get multiple policy quotes from a variety of home insurance providers. Too many homeowners skip this step — not realizing that they could save potentially $1,000s over the lifetime of owning their house.

Provide Home Insurance is a company that matches you with a variety of home insurance options to meet your home insurance needs … including lower overall cost or better overall coverage.

Just answer a few questions, and they will find options that are right for you.

Enter your zip code to get started

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Rates and fees
Intro APR
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers:
0%, 15 months;
Balance transfer fee applies
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17.49% - 26.49% Variable
Annual Fee
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Rewards Rate
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  • Multiply your first-year cash back: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

  • Plus, pay 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then APR is 17.49% - 26.49% Variable)

  • Enjoy no annual fee in addition to the opportunity for generous cash back

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