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

Last updated Sept. 9, 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 the best price on your bathroom remodel with free quotes

Looking to remodel your bathroom? Get your free quote and compare prices from top local pros in your area. Homeowners in available ZIP codes could find great deals on their bathroom renovation.

Modernize connects you with local remodeling pros who compete for your business, which could help you get a better price. Take a minute to compare quotes and see what your bathroom remodel could cost.

If your bathroom is outdated, remodeling could improve the resale value of your home and your everyday comfort. Every homeowner should compare quotes to see what a new bathroom could cost.

Get your free quote to get started

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

GoldTrustGuide is actively helping Americans find greater retirement security with precious metal investments like gold. 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 increased by 25%.1They match you with top-rated providers offering physical gold and silver IRAs with a proven track record during unstable markets.2

Protect your savings today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Answer 4 quick questions on your goals and timeline.
  2. Get matched instantly with a top-rated provider suited to your goals.
  3. Speak to a specialist for a free, no-obligation consultation.

They hold a Top Rated designation from the Business Consumer Alliance and earn a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot and 4.8 stars on Google. Get your free Gold IRA match today.

Access up to $500,000 from your home equity

Too many homeowners have equity they've never put to work.3Tapping it seems complicated, so many keep overpaying on credit cards and personal loans instead. Now there's a simpler way.

It's called a Home Equity Loan from Rocket Mortgage,4and it lets you access up to $500,000 from your home's equity with a second loan alongside your current mortgage — so your existing mortgage and rate stay as they are.

Think about it this way: If your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $250,000, you could potentially access $70,000 to $110,000 in equity, depending on your credit score.53 That's cash you could use to consolidate high-interest debt, fund a renovation, or cover whatever matters most.

Rocket Mortgage's Home Equity Loans range from $45,000 to $500,000,3and it costs you absolutely nothing to find out if you qualify.

Getting your estimate is 100% free. See what you could qualify for at the link below before that equity sits unused another day.

See what you qualify for (free)

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); Balance transfer fee applies). 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 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 interest 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

Quick Tip
According to a U.S. News report using Experian data, the average American carrying a $6,735 credit card balance at a 22.25% APR could pay over $1,248 in interest just to pay it off. With an introductory 0% APR offer on eligible purchases or qualifying balance transfers, you help avoid interest charge during the intro period, allowing more of each payment to go toward the balance.
Sources: U.S. News Money (2025)

This plan protects select Ohio homes from many expensive appliance and home repairs (seniors, lock in your ultra-low rate)

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. If you live in Ohio and own your home, Choice Home Warranty could make it so you don’t have to pay $1,000s on home repairs anymore.

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down. Just make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.6

Choose a plan here and you could still lock in their ultra-low 2026 rates for a limited time. You could tap into immense savings for nearly any system or appliance in your home that’s covered.

Not everyone is eligible for this plan so here’s how to check:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
  2. Answer a few simple questions.
  3. See if your home qualifies and lock in your rate.

Choose a plan here and and see if you’re eligible for $50 off and 1 month free

P.S. We negotiated a special deal for FinanceBuzz readers who sign up using the link above. Use it this week to get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long it will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Earn 3% cash back at Walmart, gas, or dining

If you shop at Walmart even once a month, you need to see this. It's been reported that more than 40% of Americans buy their groceries at Walmart,7but if you pay with a regular debit card, you could be missing out on a chance to earn solid cash back.

OnePay changes that. For a limited time, new members can earn 10% cash back on their first Walmart purchase within the first month, on up to $200 spent.8After that, you keep earning 3% cash back at Walmart every month on up to $150 spent.9

But you don’t just earn cash back at Walmart with OnePay — you can also earn on gas, dining, and more. 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.10

Plus, you can earn 3.35% APY on your savings11and can get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit12and fee-free cash withdrawals at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs worldwide.13And you can earn 25¢/gallon extra cash back on your first gas purchase.14

Bank through OnePay and earn 10% back at Walmart on your first purchase

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

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it may get to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you settle your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!15

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

Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

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

How Ohio homeowners are preventing roof rot, mold, and foundation damage for good

Most homeowners think of gutters as just a cleaning chore. The bigger risk is what happens when they clog. Overflowing gutters can lead to water damage, roof rot, mold, even foundation problems, the kind of repairs that run into the thousands.

If you own a home in Ohio, HomeBuddy offers a powerful, one-of-a-kind gutter guard built to prevent exactly that. Their micromesh filter keeps common debris out, so your gutters stay clear and your home stays protected. And because it actually works, you may be able to stop hiring gutter cleaners altogether. The company will even clean out and realign your gutters before they install.

Don't waste money on cheap, ineffective guards that claim to be clog-free. This one's built to last.

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

See if you qualify

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

Ohio Driver? Cancel your car insurance

Before you renew your current car insurance policy, you owe it to yourself to see what else is out there. Many drivers stick with the same provider for years without checking if they could pay less … and that's exactly how you could end up missing opportunities to save.

Getting a Farmers quote takes just a few minutes, and what you find could surprise you. People who make the switch could end up saving up to $550 on average.16That could be real money back in your pocket every single month.

If you want to see if you could be paying less with Farmers, here's what to do:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
  2. Answer a few quick questions about your car and driving history to get matched with a quote.
  3. If you find a better rate, switch your policy and start saving.

Get your quote now and see if you could pay less for the same coverage.

Quick Tip
Don't forget to cancel your old policy so you're not paying double

Healthcare Costs: See Medicare Supplement Insurance options that may help with Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs

You might think you have most health bills covered with Original Medicare. But there are deductibles and copays that come with doctor visits and hospital stays that you have to pay out of pocket. That’s where a Medicare Supplement plan may help.17

Original Medicare may leave you responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and certain excess charges. It can add up fast. Especially with the Part A hospital deductible or Part B coinsurance.18

Use this site’s online tool to view plans in your area that may help cover certain out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare does not cover. Comparing available options may help you understand whether a Medicare Supplement plan is a good fit for your needs and budget. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Click the link below and enter your ZIP code.
  2. Answer a few questions about yourself (takes about 60 seconds).
  3. Compare available plans online, then apply over the phone with a licensed insurance agent.19

Complete this questionnaire to compare Medicare Supplement insurance options

Tap the equity in your home without adding another monthly payment (home must be worth at least $200,000)

If you own the home you live in but don't want to go for a traditional HELOC, Splitero could be perfect.

How it works: Splitero is a Home Equity Investment product that bets on your home's future value going up. They give you cash now, and when you sell, refinance, or pay Splitero back in cash, you give them a small portion based on how much your home is worth then.

(By the way, if your home value decreases, the value of the percentage Splitero is entitled to also decreases. That could be a lot safer for you.)

Splitero is rated "A" by the BBB and works with single family homes, condos, townhomes, and 2 to 4 unit properties. No mobile or manufactured homes. Use the money however you like. Pay off debt, renovate, invest … all without worrying about additional monthly payments.

You may qualify if you:

  1. Have 30% or more equity in your home. (Not sure how much equity you have? Click below and Splitero can help show you.)
  2. Have a home worth at least $200,000.
  3. Have a credit score of 500+.

Enter your home address here to see if you pre-qualify in less than 2 minutes

Try this free tool to see if you could pay less for a new roof

It’s amazing this tool works. If you need to repair or replace your roof, answer a few quick questions here and you could pay less on the services, labor, and materials needed.

The tool connects you with trusted roofing pros in your area who have been vetted for licensing, insurance, and reputation. You’ll work with a local contractor offering fair pricing on materials and labor. Take a minute to check and you could put money back in your pocket.

Roof repairs and replacements don’t need to overwhelm you thanks to this tool. Plus, a new or repaired roof could increase the resale value of your home, while boosting your safety and protecting you from further damage.

To get potential savings, answer a few simple questions

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.

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

But with interest rates rising in recent years, a cash-out refinance or home equity loan may not make financial sense.

Here’s a potential solution: Get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool20 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

To get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Visit LendingTree

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 recommend at least a 680+ credit score in order to qualify for flexible financing. Click below and enter some information including your phone number. They will contact you via phone and take care of getting everything set up.

Get a 45-day no-risk trial and see if you qualify for flexible financing

Have $1,500,000 saved for retirement? What does that actually mean for your lifestyle?

If you have $1,500,000 saved up, this is for you. The last thing you want in retirement is to run out of money. Instead, you want your money to generate a real income while you enjoy your life.

Answer a few quick questions about your financial situation, and this free service will match you with an advisor to build you a Complete Plan for Retirement Income.

Answer a few questions. Get matched with a financial advisor today.

Scams and Fraud: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2025

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2025.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from Aura which comes with up to $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance21per adult, to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $7 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others — including Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.

Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Save up to 68% when you sign up for protection today!

See if you’re eligible to cancel your money-draining timeshare contract

Are you stuck in a timeshare contract? The average timeshare owner pays roughly $1,200 a year in maintenance fees,22and those fees tend to rise 5% or more annually, often for a property they no longer use.

The Stonegate Firm provides legal and advocacy services to help consumers pursue legitimate exit options from their timeshare contract. If your contract qualifies, their attorneys work to identify violations of federal consumer protection laws and negotiate directly with resorts.

See if your timeshare may be eligible:

  1. Answer a few questions about your timeshare and contract.
  2. A Stonegate Firm specialist will review your case.
  3. If you qualify, they walk you through the cancellation process.

You’re in good hands. The Stonegate Firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.

Check Your Cancellation Eligibility Free - 30 Second Assessment

Overpaying on Windows: Ohio seniors could save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save $1,000s.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping senior homeowners score these huge savings. Their certified experts install energy-efficient windows that can cut monthly bills and instantly upgrade your home’s comfort and value. If your windows are aging, this is one of the fastest ways to lock in huge savings.

Slash the cost of new windows by tapping into Renewal by Andersen’s seasonal promotions (see BONUS below), high-impact per-window discounts, special financing offers, and qualifying ENERGY STAR® tax credits most homeowners never even realize they can claim.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Complete this short form and access up to 40% off!

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.23Plus, get $200 off your purchase!23

Advisor Fees: You could be overpaying for your retirement planning

Fees matter. High fees can cut into your returns and affect your overall nest egg. But the ways fees are levied vary. Some are “fee only,” charging a flat rate regardless of usage. Others take a percentage of all assets under management. Some earn commissions directly from mutual funds or other financial products, which presents a significant conflict of interest.

This free matching quiz helps Americans get matched with up to three fiduciary advisors who serve their area so they can compare and decide which advisor to work with.

Paying Full Price on Travel and Restaurants: Over 50? Your first year of AARP is just $15, and it could pay for itself the first time you use it

If you’re over 50 and don’t have AARP, you could be missing out on huge perks. For a limited time, an AARP membership is only $11/year for your first 5 years (less than $1/month!) and gets you massive discounts on:

  • Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
  • Airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars
  • Meal deliveries
  • UPS shipping
  • Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you’ll also get insider info on social security, caregiving, retirement planning and you can add a member for free. That’s double the perks and potentially hundreds in savings for the same price.

Joining takes about two minutes:

  1. Click the link below, choose your free welcome gift, and select "Join Today"
  2. Create your account by answering a few quick questions
  3. Start using your discounts and perks right away!

For a limited time, get 45% off of a 5-year AARP membership, making it just $11/year. Start saving today!

Let banks compete to help you get out of debt

If you really want to get out of debt, you can let banks compete against each other to help you out. It can be nearly impossible and anxiety-inducing to make debt payments all on your own, but this clever site lets banks compete to assist you.

It’s called LendingTree20, and they can match you with loan providers that compete to give you personalized rates and offers for your situation and could help you pay off your debt quickly.

Think about it this way: For example, $30,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $622.60 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.50% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders that compete for your business), you’d only pay $160.69 interest.

That’s over $460 a month you’d get to keep for yourself in this scenario!24 Even better, you don’t necessarily need a perfect credit score (credit requirements vary by lender) and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.5/5 rating on TrustPilot with more than 15,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options quickly. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.

See if your $30K+ credit card debt is eligible for options with LendingTree

Get $15,000-$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 Unlock, and it lets you take money out of your home right now without making monthly payments. It's called a Home Equity Agreement (HEA), which is a partnership between you and Unlock where you get money now in return for a portion of your home's future appreciation in value.

Unlock can give you access to $15,000–$500,000, but you can take what you need based on what you qualify for.25You 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 see how much you could qualify for in two minutes. It's incredible.

Complete the form here and get your instant cash estimate

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 be worth it and could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay — apply today!

Recommended for good or excellent credit.

Purchase and Transfer APR: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

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

Excellent for earning cash back with a low intro APR
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back
Apply Now
4.7
info
Apply Now

on Issuer's secure website

Rates and fees
Intro APR
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers:
0%, 15 months;
Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
17.49% - 26.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%info
Cash back
Why We Like It

  • 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)). Balance transfer fee applies

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

Apply Now

on Issuer's secure website

Recommended Creditinfo
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details