October 19, 2026

Your weekly link to retirement and aging news from

trusted newspaper, magazine and digital news publications.

Flu Season is Arriving Months Early. Here's Where it's Spreading: Fall may have just officially begun, but the titular illness of "flu and cold season" seems to have gotten a jump start on previous years. USA Today, Oct. 13.

Pope Leo XIV’s Lung Cancer Highlights Growing Number of Nonsmokers Diagnosed with the Disease – And Younger People Too: When many people think of an average lung cancer patient, they often imagine an older man smoking. But the face of lung cancer has changed. The Conversation, Oct. 13.

'Masked' High Blood Pressure Poses a Fall Risk For Seniors: Seniors older than 78 with “masked” high blood pressure have a 70% higher risk of falls than those who’ve been properly diagnosed, according to results presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting on hypertension. HealthDay News, Oct. 12.

Exercise Can Help Women in Menopause Feel Better: Women going through menopause might consider turning to exercise to help them with problems like depression, anxiety and stress, a new evidence review says. HealthDay News, Oct. 14.

Scientists May Have the Key to Treating Arthritis: Regrowing the Knee: Cutting-edge approaches could one day help arthritic knees regenerate themselves. The Washington Post, Oct. 15. (🔒Subscription may be required)

12 Symptoms ENT Doctors Say Never to Ignore: Otolaryngologists treat conditions involving the ears, nose, throat, and much of the head and neck. Time, Oct. 16.

Lifting Weights After 60 Can Protect Your Bones and Heart: Expert Tips To Get Started: If you're in your 60s, 70s or even older, you might think your days of productively pumping iron are behind you. HealthDay News, Oct. 16.

These 4 Routine Vaccines May Also Help Protect Your Heart: Vaccines for flu, covid and other viral infections could lower your risk of cardiovascular complications, especially if you have heart disease, research suggests. The Washington Post, Oct. 18.

Dementia Expected to Double Worldwide By 2050: New cases will rise from 11.4 million in 2023 to 24.7 million in 2050. HealthDay News, Oct. 14.

Napping Linked to Dementia Risk: Older adults who fall into unintended naps, nap frequently or take shorter naps may have a higher risk of developing dementia, researchers reported recently in the Journals of Gerontology. HealthDay News, Oct. 16.

A New Medicare Season Begins, But Some Shifts Will Arrive in 2027: Open enrollment period offers enrollees an opportunity to evaluate the coverage they have and see if there might be better options for them in terms of accessing the care that they need at possibly a lower cost. Associated Press, Oct. 15.

Shopping for Your 2027 Medicare Coverage Is Extra Important Now: Be sure to read your mail this fall — big changes to prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage provider networks are coming, and could cost you more. The New York Times, Oct. 18. (🔒Subscription may be required)

Medicare Open Enrollment: 10 Things to Know: Medicare open enrollment means you're bombarded with choices. Here's what you need to know. Kiplinger, Oct. 15.

Buyer Beware: New Medicare Plans Have Fewer Benefits, Higher Costs: Seniors need to pay attention to who is in network and what added charges they might face. WSJ, Oct. 15. (🔒Subscription may be required)

Medicare Mistakes Could Cost You Thousands. Here’s What to Know Before 65: A new survey reveals troubling gaps in Medicare knowledge that could lead to unexpected medical bills & costly enrollment penalties. TheStreet, Oct. 15.

Most Seniors Don't Bother Researching Their Medicare Options, Poll Finds: Medical coverage might be one of the biggest decisions facing seniors, affecting both their finances and their health. HealthDay News, Oct. 16.

Inherited an IRA? Here’s When an RMD Must Be Taken Before a Transfer: Some custodians require beneficiaries to establish a beneficiary IRA before taking a year-of-death RMD, while others do the reverse. Morningstar, Oct. 14.

How to Turn a $1 Million Nest Egg Into a Lifetime Income Machine: The paychecks may stop, but the income shouldn't. Master the art of the "income machine" to fund your dream retirement. Kiplinger, Oct. 14.

Your Guide to Retirement Planning: This retirement planning guide can help you get your finances ready for retirement. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 13.

Will Gen X Have to Retire Later Than Previous Generations? Catch-up contributions, smarter Social Security timing and guaranteed income can help Gen X avoid working longer than planned. U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 15.

Is Retirement Unhealthy? It Depends: As more Americans live longer and as the population ages, measuring the effect of retirement on physical, cognitive and mental abilities is a complex undertaking. The New York Times, Oct. 16. (🔒Subscription may be required)

Social Security Administration Announces 3.6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2027: Social Security retirement benefits will increase by $75 per month on average, the agency said. CNBC, Oct. 14.

Social Security Is Running Out of Time. What Happens Then? Social Security faces benefit cuts by 2032. Here’s how the next Congress might respond. Morningstar, Oct. 14.

How American Retirees on Different Incomes Rely on Social Security: Social Security funds are on track to run short by 2032, which would mean a reduction in benefits. Here’s how four hypothetical households rely on the program in retirement. The New York Times, Oct. 12. (🔒Subscription may be required)

When Home Care Isn’t Enough: When is home care no longer enough? Here are the warning signs that it may be time to consider assisted living or a nursing home. Savvy Senior, Oct. 12.

Aging Life Care Managers Can Be a ‘Godsend’ for Families: The Aging Life Care Association was founded in the 1980s and has grown to more than 2,000 members, but care managers still have a persistent public awareness problem. KFF Health News, Oct. 14.

Care Comes with a Cost. Eldest Daughters Know It All Too Well: Eldest daughters are disproportionately shouldering hands‑on and emotional caregiving duties for aging parents. USA Today, Oct. 12.

15 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Retirees: Globetrotting in your golden years doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are 15 ways to cut down on your travel expenses. Kiplinger, Oct. 15.

More Planning and More Math, Not Work, Can Boost Retirement Prosperity: Financial advisers say that simply working longer is less effective than careful retirement planning and calculations, and they stress understanding Social Security, taxes, and health‑care costs to determine when one can retire comfortably. USA Today, Oct. 13.

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