government-financed initiative
The Star-Ledger Oct 23
The Star-Ledger Oct 22
The Star-Ledger Oct 14
Is Britain's welfare system helping people or holding them back?
About two years ago I met Gavin, a taxi driver who was trying to come off sickness ... Show more
Canada’s deepening ties with Europe could help fill massive gaps left behind as U.S. pulls back from foreign aid
bnnbloomberg.ca/business/politics/2026/10/23/canadas-deepening-ties-with-europe-could-help-fill-massive-gaps-left-behind-as-us-pulls-back-from-foreign-aid/
The Star-Ledger Oct 23
The Star-Ledger Oct 19
Social Security makes rare payment change in November: More than 56 million retirees and their dependents receive Social Security benefits ...
al.com/news/2026/10/social-security-makes-rare-payment-change-in-november.html
Social Security benefits could be cut 22% in 2032—and one fix would mean a 40% payroll tax hike for millennials and Gen Z
fortune.com/2026/10/20/social-security-benefit-cuts-2032-payroll-tax-increase/
Paid articlePaywall The Star-Ledger Oct 22
Does Germany really need so many civil servants? "Tagesthemen" presenter Jessy Wellmer explores this question. The documentary aired on Monday evening on ARD ... Show more
Finland's new maternity package includes 14 more products: Finland's 2026 baby box contains 52 items, including clothes, baby care products and a new play ball ...
helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/29388-finland-s-new-maternity-package-includes-14-more-products.html
The Star-Ledger Oct 19
Social Security calculates the annual COLA by taking the average yearly change of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers ... Show more
There are 2 major problems with new Social Security COLA, experts warn
There are 2 major problems with new Social Security COLA, experts warn
The Star-Ledger Oct 20
The Star-Ledger Oct 18
Three major Social Security changes that could impact you in 2027.
There are 3 major Social Security changes coming in 2027: What you need to know nj.com
Trump Is Making Life Worse for Seniors: After a lifetime of good fortune, the generation has become vulnerable at exactly the wrong moment.
theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/06/baby-boomers-aging-trump/683150/
Does a basic income make people more satisfied?: A basic income is intended to give people more freedom. An initiative is researching the effects and raffling ...
nordkurier.de/regional/neustrelitz/neustrelitz-und-umland/macht-ein-grundeinkommen-die-menschen-zufriedener-4936145
Basic income: Bern rejects pilot project due to high costs: Ein Pilotversuch mit 300 Personen hätte die Stadt Bern 7,5 bis 9 Millionen Franken gekostet ...
derbund.ch/grundeinkommen-bern-lehnt-pilotprojekt-wegen-hoher-kosten-ab-747395574877
Poverty rises in Lithuania, including among people with jobs: Poverty has increased in Lithuania over the past five years, even among people who have jobs ...
lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/3084092/poverty-rises-in-lithuania-including-among-people-with-jobs
Ex-fighters in Ethiopia's Tigray region register for reintegration programme | Africanews
africanews.com/2026/10/17/ex-fighters-in-ethiopias-tigray-region-register-for-reintegration-programme/
The Star-Ledger Oct 16
Friedrich Merz goes to work sick and makes a joke about it. He speaks with a hoarse voice at the opening of Employers' Day in Berlin ... Show more
Bono Wants to Know How Any Good Christian or Jew Could Support Elon Musk’s ‘UnconscionableR ...
mediaite.com/media/bono-wants-to-know-how-any-good-christian-or-jew-could-support-elon-musks-unconscionable-doge-cuts/
The Star-Ledger Oct 15
Three major Social Security changes that could impact you in 2027.
There are 3 major Social Security changes coming in 2027: What you need to know nj.com
Nigeria has recorded the largest increase in multidimensional poverty, according to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) by UNDP and OPHI ... Show more
Police Blotter: Boston feds charge illegal immigrant with forging Social Security cards
bostonherald.com/2026/10/17/police-blotter-boston-feds-charge-illegal-immigrant-with-forging-social-security-cards/
The Star-Ledger Oct 11
Social Security announcing benefits change on Oct. 14: While the Social Security COLA is on track to the be the largest since 2023, a portion of the increase ...
nj.com/news/2026/10/social-security-announcing-benefits-change-on-oct-14.html
The Star-Ledger Oct 12
Social Security announcing benefits change on Oct. 14: While the Social Security COLA is on track to the be the largest since 2023, a portion of the increase ...
nj.com/news/2026/10/social-security-announcing-benefits-change-on-oct-14.html
Civil servant 'fraudulently juggled five government jobs using remote work and sick notes'
news.sky.com/story/civil-servant-fraudulently-juggled-five-government-jobs-using-remote-work-and-sick-notes-13598956
In a debate Minister for Social Security and Disability was told 'it is time to end a cash payments benefit system for people with more minor ... Show more
kentlive.news
kentlive.news
Woman who flew to Ireland every fortnight jailed for welfare theft: A Ukrainian woman has been jailed for flying in and out of Ireland to collect social welfare ...
independent.ie/irish-news/courts/woman-who-flew-to-ireland-every-fortnight-jailed-for-welfare-theft/a/163136789.html
The Star-Ledger Oct 14
More than 56 million retirees and their dependents receive Social Security benefits. The average monthly benefit for retired workers is $2,084 ... Show more
Social Security makes rare payment change in November
Social Security makes rare payment change in November
Social Security COLA for 2027: How to find out how much more you'll get: The Social Security COLA will increase by 3.6% in 2027, according to the Social Security ...
finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/investing/article/social-security-cola-for-2027-how-to-find-out-how-much-more-youll-get-133752779.html
Poll: US boomers support tax hikes on young workers to keep current Social Security checks — the view is overwhelming
finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/poll-us-boomers-support-tax-104500571.html
CNBC Oct 12
IRS chief Frank Bisignano on upcoming cost-of-living adjustment: Frank Bisignano, Social Security Administration commissioner and IRS CEO, joins ‘Squawk Box’ to ...
cnbc.com/video/2026/10/12/irs-chief-frank-bisignano-on-upcoming-cost-of-living-adjustment.html
Paul Mashatile abruptly cancels his public engagements — just a day after he resumed his duties following two months on sick leave ... Show more
PM vows to end rewarding laziness, dishonesty: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has promised to redirect state resources towards productive economic ...
trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/pm-vows-to-end-rewarding-laziness-dishonesty/article_c0787d65-e479-4759-b5d5-3948feccecc2.html
"I don't intend to become the nation's darling": Chancellor Merz named clear interim goals at the Employers' Day: stable contributions until the end ...
deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de/habe-nicht-die-absicht-liebling-der-nation-zu-werden-384991/
Key FactsMerz defends planned social reforms amid political conflicts
Oct 13, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- Merz identifies stable contribution rates over the long term as the goal of pension, care and healthcare reforms.
- According to Merz, the statutory funded pension should raise benefits and lower contributions, but initially requires higher payments.
- According to Merz, the pension reform bill should pass the cabinet in 2026 and the Bundestag in the first quarter of 2027.
- Ending penalty-free early retirement after 45 contribution years is considered the most contentious part of the planned pension reform.
I have no intention of becoming the darling of the nation.— Friedrich Merz, during a speech at the Arbeitgebertag in Berlin
OpinionPaternity Leave Is More Than a Perk. It Builds a Baby’s Brain: Paternity leave and a father’s engagement during infancy is associated with better cognitive ...
time.com/article/2026/10/10/paternity-leave-is-more-than-a-perk-it-builds-a-baby-s-brain/
Civil servants in the pension insurance scheme - | that doesn't solve any problems
saarbruecker-zeitung.de/saarland/beamte-in-die-rentenversicherung-das-loest-keine-probleme_aid-155890223
COLA announcement: Social Security a day away from major benefits update: Years with higher inflation, such as 2026, result in higher COLAs and 2027’s increase ...
al.com/news/2026/10/cola-announcement-social-security-a-day-away-from-major-benefits-update.html
ACT outline plans to raise retirement age, slash disability benefits to reduce debt
odt.co.nz/news/national/act-outline-plans-to-raise-retirement-age-slash-disability-benefits-to-reduce-debt-eguyr20v
Hoher Anteil in Berlin und Bremen: 1,4 Millionen Arbeitslose beziehen seit mindestens fünf Jahren Bürgergeld
spiegel.de/wirtschaft/1-4-millionen-arbeitslose-beziehen-seit-mindestens-fuenf-jahren-buergergeld-a-adc4a627-11e2-4d28-a2d2-724d9bc4ee12
Key Facts1.4 Million Receive Basic Support for at Least Five Years
Oct 12, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
- About 1.4 million people most recently received basic support for at least five years, representing roughly two in five recipients.
- At the end of 2025, long-term recipients accounted for the highest shares in Berlin, at around 45 percent, and Bremen, at 43 percent.
- The number of long-term unemployed rose from 2024; in 2025, it exceeded one million, compared with 700,000 in 2019.
- In September, 3.7 million employable people received basic support, 145,000 fewer than in the same month the previous year.
It cannot be that so many people are receiving Bürgergeld at the taxpayers' expense, even though they could go to work.— René Springer, AfD labor-market politician, said this in the context of the debate over long-term Bürgergeld recipients.
The Star-Ledger Oct 08
No application is needed to receive the payment.
Why did I get $90 payment from Social Security? What to know about Medicare reimbursements mrf.lu
OpinionJustine McCarthy: Paternity leave shouldn’t be a privilege that only the likes of Simon Harris can afford
irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/10/09/justine-mccarthy-paternity-leave-shouldnt-be-a-privilege-that-only-the-likes-of-simon-harris-can-afford/
Citizen's income: SPD politician Heil regrets his own project: The SPD politician transformed Hartz IV into a citizen's income. The SPD hoped this would ...
augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/buergergeld-spd-politiker-heil-bereut-sein-eigenes-projekt-115465865
Don't target all students for possible OSAP misuse at a few schools, association says
cp24.com/politics/queens-park/2026/10/07/dont-target-all-students-for-possible-osap-misuse-at-a-few-schools-association-says/
The Armenian Weekly Oct 08
Over 100 members of Congress urge Rubio to withhold military aid to Baku: WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over 100 members of Congress — 26 senators and 75 representatives — ...
armenianweekly.com/2026/10/07/over-100-members-of-congress-urge-rubio-to-withhold-military-aid-to-baku/
Holzleitner: "We are committed to the government program": The government is stable, emphasizes Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr.
diepresse.com/41333604/holzleitner-wir-sehen-uns-dem-regierungsprogramm-verpflichtet
Twenty-Three Washington State Ferry Engineers Called in Sick Monday: On Monday morning, the Washington State Ferries (WSF) announced that 13 of its 18 ferries ...
thestranger.com/news/twenty-three-washington-state-ferry-engineers-called-in-sick-monday/
Simon Harris reveals arrival of new baby girl and plans to take paternity leave after Budget 2027
independent.ie/irish-news/simon-harris-reveals-arrival-of-new-baby-girl-and-plans-to-take-paternity-leave-after-budget-2027/a/162542658.html
The Star-Ledger Oct 03
Social Security’s 2027 COLA announcement coming soon: What to expect, Medicare costs
nj.com/news/2026/10/social-securitys-2027-cola-announcement-coming-soon-what-to-expect-medicare-costs.html
Social Security 2027: COLA Forecast Shows Retirees Could Get $75 More Per Month: Early projections suggest next year's COLA could be significantly larger than ...
newsweek.com/social-security-benefit-changes-2027-cola-increase-predictions-12416606
What many find almost unimaginable about everyday life with citizen's income: What can you still afford with citizen's income? How much does the job ...
krautreporter.de/politik-und-macht/6082-was-am-alltag-mit-burgergeld-fur-viele-kaum-vorstellbar-ist
Klingbeil: Self-employed and civil servants in statutory pension scheme: Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil insists on including the self-employed ...
focus.de/politik/deutschland/klingbeil-selbststaendige-und-beamte-in-gesetzliche-rente_48799438-072f-444c-9fe0-8bea6eee6ced.html
,regionOfInterest=(855,565)&hash=6cb7fabceced92f8e087e56198b783922a0957bd49f166712156a7983d7563f9)
Key FactsKlingbeil Seeks Broader Inclusion in Statutory Pensions
Sep 28, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: t-online.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: t-online.de
- Lars Klingbeil reaffirmed his proposal at a Heidelberg public meeting, citing agreement with Bärbel Bas.
- The pension commission recommends contributions from self-employed people and politicians, while existing civil servants remain protected.
- Merz and Bas agreed to implement the commission’s concept fully, while pensions after 45 contribution years remain disputed.
- The Social Ministry says work continues, but doubts remain about completing a reform package during 2026.
That would be a real contribution to more justice in the system— Lars Klingbeil, SPD leader, said this at a citizens' discussion in Heidelberg
Babler challenger Gerhard Zeiler: | "I am a transitional candidate": The contender for the red mayor's seat accuses rival Babler of class warfare ...
derstandard.at/story/3000000341946/babler-herausforderer-gerhard-zeiler-ich-bin-ein-uebergangskandidat
Key FactsBabler seeks to retain SPÖ leadership after Zeiler’s move
Sep 26, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: kleinezeitung.at
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: kleinezeitung.at
- Babler said Zeiler’s move was no reason for him to withdraw from party leadership.
- He cited his March reelection and a clear mandate received six months earlier.
- Regarding a possible Zeiler candidacy, Babler cited existing rules and said it currently amounted only to rumors.
- Under the statutes, ten percent—around 13,000 members—can trigger a direct election; the board may convene a special party congress.
I believe that in the near future it will become clear that the public pressure within the party will be so strong that even the party chairman will see that it is better to step down.— Peter Pelinka, longtime journalist who advises Zeiler, told Ö1.
thenationaldesk.com Sep 29
Arkansas governor feuds with conservatives over welfare ad portraying white man gaming
thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/arkansas-gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-feuds-with-conservatives-over-welfare-ad-sarah-huckabee-sanders-matt-walsh
Japan's first mayor to take maternity leave lands on TIME100 Next list: Shoko Kawata's maternity leave drew mixed reactions in Japan, a country struggling to ...
bbc.com/news/articles/cqj3d3d37nxgo
bmjgroup.com Oct 01
Night owls may struggle to continue working until official retirement age - BMJ Group
bmjgroup.com/night-owls-may-struggle-to-continue-working-until-official-retirement-age/
change.org Sep 26
AI Should Benefit Everyone: Establish Federal Universal Basic Income: To: United States Congress
Rent, groceries, and utility bills keep coming ...
change.org/p/ai-should-benefit-everyone-establish-federal-universal-basic-income
OpinionSyria’s Imperiled Transition: How Shock Therapy Threatens the Post-Assad Peace: How shock therapy threatens the post-Assad peace.
foreignaffairs.com/syria/syrias-imperiled-transition
404 Media Sep 30
How Cities Are Forced to Funnel License Plate Data to a Massive Federal Surveillance Program
404media.co/how-cities-are-forced-to-funnel-license-plate-data-to-a-massive-federal-surveillance-program-hidta/
Trump As A Baby Name: What Experts Say: Baby name experts weigh in on this name’s debut in the Social Security Administration data.
buzzfeed.com/carolinebologna/baby-name-trump-experts
The Trump administration can use a government database that includes Social Security information to help state officials identify noncitizens on voter lists ... Show more
washingtonpost.com
washingtonpost.com
What is the average Social Security check for 2026? And how much could it go up in 2027?
nj.com/news/2026/09/what-is-the-average-social-security-check-for-2026-and-how-much-could-it-go-up-in-2027.html
The Star-Ledger Sep 22
The official announcement for next year’s COLA will be on Oct. 14.
Social Security COLA 2027: 10 states where retirees will get largest raise mrf.lu
US jobless claims fall to 197,000, the lowest since mid-July: Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, as U.S. jobless claims remain at ...
apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-claims-layoffs-91d99d8ff50cd5aea33a858c677976d5
Mental health problems affect a third of women born in Finland in 1997: Benefits agency Kela reports that nearly 34 percent of women born in 1997 had received ...
yle.fi/a/74-20247516
Tories would ban long-term benefit claimants from gambling, buying alcohol and cigarettes
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-ban-benefits-claimants-alcohol-cigarettes-gambling-b3055209.html
Welfare fraud - | wanted by penal order and still collecting citizen's benefits
schwaebische.de/politik/sozialbetrug-per-strafbefehl-gesucht-und-trotzdem-buergergeld-kassieren-4885932
Key FactsGovernment plans action against welfare-benefit abuse
Sep 23, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: schwaebische.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: schwaebische.de
- On July 1, 2026, Germany had 170,667 outstanding arrest warrants.
- People sought under warrants may still receive Bürgergeld or Grundsicherungsgeld without automatic cancellation of benefits.
- Authorities do not know how many wanted people receive such benefits.
- The planned action plan is also intended to hold employers using undeclared labor more accountable.
Whoever evades the state's reach should not receive any money from it.— Günter Krings, chairman of NRW CDU Members of the Bundestag, in an interview
Starting a family? Why more and more people are deciding against having children: In Baden-Württemberg, only around 94,000 babies were born in 2025 - | almost 19 ...
swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/familie-auslaufmodell-geburtenrate-alternde-gesellschaft-100.html
TV presenter Anna Daly has said she was “shocked” to realise after experiencing a miscarriage that there is no legislation offering dedicated leave ... Show more
Damning report finds no evidence $40m youth program reduces offending: About two thirds of young people engaged in the Youth Crime Prevention Program offended ...
abc.net.au/news/2026-09-23/vago-youth-crime-prevention-report/107184888
Should the U.S. raise payroll taxes to save Social Security?: Raising payroll taxes enough to stabilize Social Security could add thousands of dollars in annual ...
cbsnews.com/news/social-security-payroll-tax-hike-cost/
The Star-Ledger Sep 21
Social Security COLA 2027: 10 states where retirees will get largest raise: The official announcement for next year’s COLA will be on Oct. 14.
nj.com/news/2026/09/social-security-cola-2027-10-states-where-retirees-will-get-largest-raise.html
