All right, we got two key data points out today that affect your finances. Inflation hit 3% annual rate in September, and based on CPI data, Social Security benefits will increase 2.8% next year for more than 71 million Americans. But a lot of people have not factored in inflation or government benefits into their retirement planning.Sharon Eper joins us now with some exclusive reporting on these survey reports. Uh that the results that show not only it's an issue in the US, but it's an issue for investors ...

Core Insights - Longevity can significantly impact retirement savings, particularly due to healthcare costs that may arise as retirees live longer [2][4] - Many retirees may not adequately prepare for the financial implications of healthcare, which can lead to running out of savings [2][4] Group 1: Healthcare Costs in Retirement - As retirees live longer, they require more funds to maintain a high quality of life, including healthcare and long-term care [4] - Healthcare costs can vary widely based on individual conditions and care needs, making it essential for retirees to plan accordingly [5] - The traditional investment strategy of a 60% stock and 40% bond portfolio may not be sufficient for modern retirement realities, as it does not account for the longevity and associated costs of care [6] Group 2: Investment Strategies - Investors often make the mistake of becoming too conservative with their investment allocations as they approach retirement [5] - Maintaining a more equity-weighted portfolio throughout retirement is recommended, as equities historically provide higher returns than a traditional 60/40 portfolio [7]

National polls show President Trump and Republicans are shouldering more of the blame for from Americans over the government shutdown despite their best efforts to point at Democrats. And joining us now, president of the progressive public opinion research firm, Impact Research, Molly Murphy. Molly, what more did you find on this? >> Yeah, well, so one thing that I'll just start out with is shutdowns aren't popular. Polling is going to find people don't want the government to shut down. They expect that ele ...

Americans each spend an average of $13,400 a year on their health, $6,000 more than in other rich countries. These graphs show who is making all the money https://t.co/I5uyr8nV9C https://t.co/QyZ7qIqENk ...

Healthcare Spending - Americans spend an average of $13,400 per year on healthcare [1] - This is $6,000 more than individuals in other wealthy countries spend [1]

Healthcare Quality & Outcomes - Hospital mergers are associated with worse patient care outcomes [1] - Hospital mergers correlate with higher death rates [1] Economic Impact - Hospital mergers lead to lower staff pay [1] - Hospital mergers contribute to rising healthcare costs nationwide [1] - Hospital mergers pose a threat to local economies [1]

Financial Impact - Untreated perinatal depression costs the U S $14 billion annually [1] Healthcare Solution - A founder has a solution to address untreated perinatal depression [1]

Group 1 - The question "What's my number?" is crucial for retirees as it guides their retirement planning and expectations for post-retirement life [1] - Poor financial habits can significantly impact retirement savings, making it essential for retirees to avoid certain practices [2] Group 2 - High-interest credit card debt is a major concern for retirees, with nearly 70% of those with debt reporting outstanding credit card balances, highlighting the need for debt elimination [3] - Retirees are advised to focus on paying down high-interest debt before or during retirement, considering strategies like low-interest balance transfers or debt consolidation [4] Group 3 - Social Security benefits are a vital income source for retirees, constituting about 30% of income for individuals over 65, with the recommendation to delay claiming benefits to maximize payments [4][5] - Claiming Social Security benefits early can lead to a reduction of at least 25% in payments, making it important for retirees to understand the trade-offs involved [5] Group 4 - Healthcare costs represent a significant financial burden for retirees, with a 65-year-old retiring in 2025 expected to spend $172,500 on healthcare expenses [6] - Medical expenses typically increase with age, and retirees are advised to include healthcare costs in their retirement budgeting to avoid depleting savings too quickly [7]

Core Insights - UnitedHealth is experiencing volatility due to CEO departure and ongoing DOJ investigation [1][5] - Warren Buffett's investment of $1.57 billion has positively impacted the stock, which has risen nearly 40% in the past month [2] - The company operates through two main divisions: UnitedHealthcare and Optum, focusing on insurance plans and health services [3] Company Overview - UnitedHealth is a major player in the U.S. healthcare and insurance sectors, with a market capitalization of $315.10 billion [4] - The company serves millions and combines data-driven solutions with extensive care networks [3][4] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, UNH stock has declined by 42.3%, and is down 31.6% year-to-date [5] - Recently, the stock has shown recovery, gaining 38.7% in the last month and 12.7% in the past five days [5] - The stock reached a three-month high of $351.71 on September 9, only 1.7% below this peak [5] Valuation - UNH is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.05, which is lower than the industry average of 26.55 [6]

Healthcare Leadership & Policy Concerns - Senator Cortez Masto expresses strong concerns about Secretary Kennedy's ability to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing potential harm to the healthcare system and increased costs for Americans [3][4] - The Senator calls for Secretary Kennedy's resignation, stating he lacks the ability to bring calm, stability, and safe policies to the healthcare industry [5] - Concerns are raised about the administration's impact on seniors, specifically regarding increased prices under Medicare Parts D and B [15] - Secretary Kennedy allegedly did not know his role as HHS administrator oversees Medicare policies [16] Political & Public Pressure - Achieving Secretary Kennedy's resignation requires bipartisan support, not just Democratic demands [6] - The Senator emphasizes the importance of public sentiment regarding high healthcare costs and access to vaccines [4] - There is a need for more individuals, including those within HHS, to speak out against Secretary Kennedy's leadership [12] - Pressure needs to be maintained at all levels to address the problems caused by Secretary Kennedy [15] Healthcare Access & Research - Concerns are raised about potential barriers to accessing COVID vaccines, with specific mention of challenges in Nevada [13][14] - The administration is allegedly eliminating research funding, including for Alzheimer's and pandemic preparedness [5] - The administration is accused of increasing costs for seniors and exempting essential cancer drugs from price negotiation, impacting access for patients [9][10] - One cancer drug costs families $175,000 per year, with pharmaceutical companies making $29 billion off it [10] Truth & Science in Healthcare - Secretary Kennedy is accused of lying, undermining the need for sound science in the healthcare system [14][15] - The Senator emphasizes the importance of truth, data, and science in healthcare policy [17]