Curated Monthly
Retirement Reads
A hand-picked handful of the best retirement articles we've read lately, from trusted sources around the web. We summarize each one and link you straight to it — with a pointer back to our own guides when they can help.
This month's picks · October 2026Medicare 2027 Projections: How Much Premiums Are Set to Rise
The standard Part B premium is projected to rise about 3.5% to $209.50 a month in 2027, up $6.60, the smallest percentage increase since 2023. The catch most people miss: since Part B is deducted from your Social Security check, the premium quietly eats a share of your COLA raise. Timely reading alongside the October 14 COLA news.
On RetireCalm: get ready for enrollment season with our Medicare guide.
Retired? Here Are Some Tax Moves to Consider Before the End of 2026
A certified financial planner walks through five moves worth reviewing before December 31: Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, the temporary $6,000 senior deduction for those 65 and older, and coordinating Social Security with your other withdrawals. The theme is simple, some decisions cannot be undone once the calendar turns.
On RetireCalm: see how RMDs are calculated in our IRA & RMD guide.
Which Vaccines You Actually Need After 65
Fall is vaccine season, and after 65 the list is longer than many people realize: the flu shot (a high-dose version is recommended for your age group), the updated COVID vaccine, a one-time RSV shot, plus shingles and pneumococcal. The CDC lays out who needs what, in plain terms, and most are covered by Medicare.
On RetireCalm: Medicare covers most of these, see what falls under Part B vs Part D in our Medicare guide.
Social Security COLA Preview: Will 2027 Benefits Go Up?
The latest inflation data points to roughly a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 — which would be the largest raise in several years. The official number arrives October 14, based on third-quarter inflation, and this piece explains how the calculation works and what could still move it.
On RetireCalm: see what a COLA actually changes in our Social Security guide.
Don't Toss It! Why Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change Matters
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, a letter called the Annual Notice of Change must reach you by September 30 — spelling out next year's premiums, drug list, copays, and network. This is the case for actually reading it before Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), and what keeping a plan "on autopilot" can cost.
On RetireCalm: get ready for enrollment season with our Medicare guide.
The $3,000 Retirement Mistake Millions Make Each Year
At Vanguard alone, nearly 585,000 IRA holders miss their required minimum distribution in a typical year — and the penalty runs roughly $1,160 to $2,900 per person. With the December 31 deadline approaching, this is a timely look at how the mistake happens and the simple ways to make sure it never happens to you.
On RetireCalm: see how RMDs are calculated in our IRA & RMD guide.
Exercise Variety — Not Just Amount — Linked to Longer Life
Following more than 111,000 adults over three decades, Harvard researchers found that people who mixed different types of activity — not just those who logged the most minutes — had a lower risk of premature death. Good news if your week already includes some walking, some gardening, and a little strength work: the mix itself matters.
On RetireCalm: build your mix with our walking program and strength-training guide.
Claiming Social Security Soon? 5 Smart Moves to Make Now
Claiming is a lifelong decision, and a poor one can cost the average couple more than $180,000. This piece walks through five concrete tasks to complete before you file — from checking your earnings record to coordinating with your spouse — so you don't lock in a costly mistake.
On RetireCalm: work through the tradeoffs in our Social Security guide and break-even calculator.
Medicare Open Enrollment: Get Ready Before October 15
Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) is closer than it feels. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change arrives in September — this official page explains what to review, what you're allowed to change, and why comparing plans each year matters, since costs, drug lists, and networks all shift for 2027.
On RetireCalm: get oriented first with our plain-English Medicare guide.
5 Retirement Tax Traps to Watch in 2026
Five ways retirement income can quietly cost you more than expected — from RMD penalties and the taxation of up to 85% of your Social Security, to withdrawals that push you into a higher bracket or trigger a Medicare surcharge. Useful for planning withdrawals before year-end.
On RetireCalm: see how RMDs are calculated in our IRA & RMD guide.
Stronger Muscles After Age 60 Linked to Longevity
A 2026 study of more than 5,400 adults 63 and older found that greater grip strength and faster chair-stand times were linked to a meaningfully lower risk of death over the following eight years — more evidence that keeping your muscles strong is one of the most powerful things you can do for a long, independent life.
On RetireCalm: build strength safely with our strength-training guide.
3 Questions That Define Your Ideal Social Security Claiming Age
A practical framework for retirement's biggest money decision: three questions — about your likely lifespan, your income needs, and the effect on your spouse and heirs — to help you settle on the right age to start benefits.
On RetireCalm: work through the tradeoffs in our Social Security guide and break-even calculator.
Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Can Change
The official rundown of what you're allowed to change during Medicare's fall Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) — switching between Original Medicare and Advantage, or joining or changing a Part D drug plan. Worth reviewing before plans update their costs and drug lists.
On RetireCalm: get oriented first with our plain-English Medicare guide.
4 Required Minimum Distribution Mistakes to Avoid in 2026
Four common — and costly — required-minimum-distribution slip-ups, from misreading the first-year deadline to overlooking how a large withdrawal can raise your Medicare premiums and the tax on your Social Security. A quick read if you're 73 or older.
On RetireCalm: see how RMDs are calculated in our IRA & RMD guide.
Five Healthy Habits for Successfully Aging in Our 60s and 70s
Stanford physicians share the five habits that matter most in your 60s and 70s — including aiming for roughly 7,000 steps a day (which you can split into shorter walks) and working on your balance now to help prevent the falls that threaten independence later.
On RetireCalm: ease into it with our simple walking program.
Links lead to third-party websites we don't control; we share them because we found them useful, not as endorsements or advice. Summaries are our own. Always confirm details that affect your money or health with the source or a qualified professional.