"Here's the dirty little secret: Trump Accounts are Social Security personal accounts": Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said at the Milken Institute's Global Conference that the newly created Trump Accounts for children could provide a pathway to Social Security privatization — Cruz suggests parents will want their own accounts once they see their children's balances grow through compound growth.

Cruz predicts support for diverting payroll taxes in next 5-10 years: "We're going to be able to go to parents and say, 'Hey, you know that Trump Account your kid has that you keep seeing the numbers go up... wouldn't you like to keep a portion of your tax payments that you're paying already, and instead of sending it to Uncle Sam, wouldn't you like to have a Trump Account just like your kid does?'"

Conservatives' 50-year goal as trust fund faces 2032 depletion: Cruz said Social Security reform and personal accounts are something conservatives have been trying to do for "50 years," pointing to George W. Bush's failed attempt to let people invest payroll taxes in stocks — this comes as Congressional Budget Office projects Social Security's main trust fund could be depleted by 2032.

Social Security stopped using "break-even" analysis in 2008 because it distorted decisions: Some social media influencers claim 62 is the right age to maximize lifetime benefits based on break-even age (late 70s/early 80s) — but SSA ended this practice in 2008 amid concerns, and 2011 Rand Corp research found it had a "very strong effect" in prompting people to claim early and permanently reduce monthly checks.

"Claiming at any age before age 70 is a penalty," says former SSA executive: Waiting until 70 provides a 77% larger monthly check than claiming at 62 — Jason Fichtner, former SSA deputy commissioner, says "while break-even framing may initially put someone who claims at age 62 ahead, they will be behind for the rest of their life after they reach their personal break-even age."

Consider longevity, taxes, portfolio, and spouse's survivor benefits instead: Break-even analysis neglects your full financial plan — waiting gives guaranteed 8% annual benefit increase (hard to match in market), and married couples especially shouldn't use break-even since higher earner's decision affects spouse's survivor benefits — only 10% wait until 70, but "the clients who waited are the happiest" due to larger payments and less portfolio stress.

Medicare Savings Programs cover Part B premium and provide Extra Help: MSPs are available for people with Medicare who have limited income and savings — if eligible, you'll be enrolled in one of three programs that all cover the Part B premium (including late enrollment penalties) and provide automatic enrollment in Extra Help, which helps pay Part D out-of-pocket costs and eliminates Part D late enrollment penalties.

State programs and Medicaid can further reduce costs: State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) help cover prescription drug costs based on income, age, disability status, or other factors — and having both Medicare and Medicaid will often automatically enroll you in an MSP while also functioning as secondary insurance to lower costs, plus Medicaid may cover services Medicare doesn't like routine dental care and long-term supports.

Less than 60% of eligible beneficiaries enrolled due to red tape: Half of all Medicare beneficiaries live on less than $30,000/year, but less than 60% of those eligible for Medicare Savings Programs are enrolled due to "accessibility barriers and excessive red tape" — use the National Council on Aging's free Benefits Check Up tool to find programs in your area or call Medicare Rights helpline at 800-333-4114.