There are important changes you may want to look into. The IRS began phasing out paper check payments on September 30, 2025. Social Security paper checks and login changes are in effect. And, Telehealth has been covered under Medicare Part B for several years, but that coverage was set to expire on September 30.
IRS Changes
In a recent IRS press release, it was said that taxpayers and Social Security recipients should continue to use their existing forms and procedures for now until the updated documents are published. It was also confirmed that more detailed guidance for the 2026 tax filing season will be published later.
The change means that most refunds will be made digitally. Refunds paid electronically will take less than 21 days to be issued, while mail refunds could take six weeks or longer.
IRS Reported Rules Change
Here are a few points of clarification within the final regulations issued on September 16, 2025, by the IRS.
- Wages
- Determined based on prior year FICA wages as reported in Box 3 of Form W-2.
- Retirement Plans that used Box 5 of Form W-2 are deemed to use a good faith interpretation until January 1, 2027.
- Self-employment income, subject to SECA taxes, is not counted for this purpose.
- Wages are not required to be aggregated between employers, but aggregation is permitted for employers who are members of a common control group or employers using a common paymaster.
- Retirement Plans that permit a participant to make an election during each payroll period to treat a portion of their elective deferrals as catch-up (referred to as a separate election plan) are not required under a deemed Roth election to recharacterize that money to a pre-tax deferral even if it’s later determined that the money isn’t eligible for catch-up.
- Plans may allow deemed elections for Roth catch-up contributions to be effective only when
- Pre-tax deferrals reach the contribution limit imposed under Internal Revenue Code section 402(g) or
- When both the pre-tax and Roth deferrals reach the limit.
- Corrections for plans that fail the Roth catch-up contribution provisions are not required if:
- The amount is less than $250 or
- The participant became subject to the Roth requirement due to an amended Form W-2 increasing FICA wages over $145,000 in the prior year that is issued after the deadline for correction.
- Final regulations are generally effective January 1, 2027. The effective date of the final regulations does not extend the necessary implementation of the Roth catch-up requirement (generally January 1, 2026). From January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, a reasonable good faith interpretation must be followed. Later implementation dates may apply to collectively bargained or governmental plans.
Electronic Tax Refunds
The IRS is also phasing out paper checks. The Internal Revenue Service, working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will be phased out beginning Sept. 30, 2025.
What this means for individual taxpayers
- Filing stays the same: Taxpayers should continue to file their returns as they normally would, using one of the existing filing options.
- Refunds go digital: Most refunds will be delivered by direct deposit or other secure electronic methods.
- Help for those without access to bank accounts: Options such as prepaid debit cards, digital wallets or limited exceptions will be available.
- Act now: Taxpayers should make sure they know their banking information or consider opening a free or low-cost account.
Executive Order 14247 also applies to payments made to the IRS. Taxpayers should continue to use existing payment options until further notice. Additional guidance and information for filing 2025 taxes will be issued prior to the 2026 filing season.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Social Security
2025 new rules for login. The new login rules require enhanced verification, including scanning government IDs, taking live selfies, or confirming phone numbers through text codes. While these steps reduce identity theft, many seniors struggle with the technology needed to complete them.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) now requires a second layer of approval through email, text, or authentication apps. For tech-savvy users, it’s a simple step. But for retirees with flip phones, shared email accounts, or limited technical skills, it becomes a major barrier.
Under new SSA rules, each login attempt is tracked and tied to a specific device. Logging in from a new phone, library computer, or friend’s tablet may trigger extra verification or temporary locks. If the system can’t recognize the device, it may block access until new credentials are confirmed.
Medicare Telehealth
A temporary stopgap bill introduced by House Republicans would have extended access for rural Medicare patients until November 21, but the measure failed to pass the Senate; the deadline remains September 30.
Telehealth has been a lifeline for many seniors since the pandemic. Virtual visits save seniors from long trips to the doctor’s office, reduce exposure to contagious illnesses, and make it easier to manage chronic conditions from the comfort of home.
For those living in rural areas or with limited mobility, telehealth can mean faster access to care and fewer missed appointments. Losing that option could make it harder for millions of Medicare users to get the consistent, safe care they need.
The stopgap resolution that included a short-term extension of telehealth also aimed to keep several other Medicare programs running through November 21. These included the Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) program, add-on payments for ground ambulances, the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, Medicare Part D coverage of certain oral antiviral drugs, and hospice survey funding from the IMPACT Act of 2014.
If Medicare’s telehealth coverage does expire, support is still available. Start by calling 1-800-MEDICARE for up-to-date information and guidance specific to your situation. Your doctor’s office can also walk you through alternatives, including safe ways to schedule in-person visits or connect with local clinics that may offer low-cost options. Some community health centers and hospital systems provide their own telehealth services, so ask if those are available.
Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
Now What?
How do you adapt to changes that impact your health and wealth? Increased awareness of our own biases and their potential impact, comprehensive wealth planning, and professional advice can help counteract the effect of cognitive biases.
Be aware of biases driven by your emotions and personal experiences. While everyone deals with their own biases, better decisions are made with a greater understanding of historical trends and facts.
We are living in uncertain times. The government shut down on October 1st. October is when the Social Security Administration is expected to unveil the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. Social Security benefits are eligible for a COLA every year. And those raises are instrumental in helping retirees keep up with inflation.
October is also when Medicare’s open enrollment period begins. Each year, between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, Medicare participants can make changes to their coverage. Before you decide, it’s important to read your Medicare plan’s annual notice of change to learn about:
- Cost changes, such as an increase or decrease in your premiums, deductibles, and copays
- Coverage changes, such as benefits being added to or removed from your plan
- Drug formulary changes, such as certain medications getting categorized into higher or lower tiers
- Provider changes, such as certain doctors moving in or out of your plan’s network
Keep the Faith
It’s a lot to keep on top of, I know. Whoever prepares us for the lifelong journey of adulting?! Yikes!
Hang in there. Take small steps and actions to help you move forward, even amidst changes. As always, know I am here to support you.
Pop me an Email or Book a Time with Lynn if you have any questions or would like to connect via Zoom to discuss your particulars. For additional information about my work, check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner. If you’re up for pre-planning, my book is a resource for you. The Living Planner What to Prepare Now While You Are Living © Check it out HERE.
Quote for the week: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are” – Anonymous
Baby steps do make a difference! Lynn
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