US Policy

  Introduction: A Policy at a Crossroads The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has evolved from a modest tax reduction into one of the most significant and debated instruments of family economic policy in the United States. The temporary expansion enacted in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) did not just increase the credit amount; it fundamentally transformed its structure, lifting nearly 4 million children out of poverty and cutting child poverty by an astounding 46% in a single year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Its expiration at the end of 2021 sent child poverty rates surging back up, igniting a fierce and ongoing battle in Congress about its future. Understanding the Expanded Child Tax Credit requires navigating a complex trifecta: the  technical details  of eligibility and payouts, the  proven socioeconomic impact  of its brief existence, and the  high-stakes political warfare  that will determine whether it becomes a permanent feature of t...

  Introduction: Navigating the Pillars of Retirement For over 85 million Americans—retirees, disabled workers, and their families—Social Security and Medicare are not abstract government programs; they are the foundational pillars of financial stability and health security in later life. Social Security provides income to nearly 90% of retirees, constituting more than half of income for about half of beneficiary households. Medicare provides health insurance for over 65 million people, a number that grows daily as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Each year, these programs undergo adjustments driven by law, economics, and demographic trends. The annual announcements from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are critical markers for current and future retirees. This analysis provides a comprehensive, forward-looking guide to the  projected changes for 2025 , based on the latest data, actuarial reports, and policy dev...