Our standard
Editorial Policy
Social Security and Medicare decisions carry real financial consequences. Here is exactly how we research, verify, and correct what we publish — and how we handle money.
Primary sources only
Every figure we publish is verified against the agency that sets it — SSA.gov, Medicare.gov, CMS.gov, or IRS.gov — before publication. We do not quote numbers from memory, from other publishers, or from AI tools. Where a figure changes annually, we date it and tell you when it was last verified.
We show the math
If a claim depends on a calculation, we show the calculation. If it depends on a threshold, we cite the threshold and link its source. You should never have to take our word for a number.
Annual review
Social Security and Medicare figures change every January. Our numbers guide is rebuilt each fall as SSA and CMS publish, and evergreen articles are reviewed on the same cycle. Pages carry a “last verified” date so you can judge for yourself whether what you’re reading is current.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so on the page rather than quietly editing it. If you spot an error, email hello@benefitsinsider.co — corrections from readers are welcome and get checked the same day.
How we make money — and what it does not buy
Benefits Insider is funded by partnerships, affiliate relationships, book sales, and our membership community. That funding keeps our guides, videos, and tools free. It comes with firm limits:
- Partners are vetted before we recommend them, and every partnership is disclosed on the page where it appears.
- No partner reviews, approves, or edits our educational content.
- We state the catch — the honest downside — on every partner and affiliate page.
- Our InsiderTrusted™ badge is earned through vetting, monitored continuously, and revocable. It cannot be purchased.
No panic, no politics
We report what a rule says and what it means for you. We attribute findings to their sources and let you draw your own conclusions. We do not run fear headlines, outrage bait, or partisan framing — on a topic this consequential, calm is a feature.
What we are not
Benefits Insider is an independent publisher. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or any government agency, and we never imply otherwise or use government seals. Our content is educational and is not individualized medical, financial, legal, or tax advice — your situation has details we cannot see. For decisions specific to you, confirm with SSA directly or a qualified professional.
Who writes this
Content is written and reviewed by Kwame Kuadey, Adjunct Professor of Finance at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and author of The Social Security Playbook, who has spent more than 15 years helping older adults claim the benefits they’ve earned.