Good morning. It's 9 degrees in Michigan and the IRS just opened the gates. January is not messing around.
In this issue:
- Tax season 2026 — what's different for seniors this year
- Worth Knowing: care products, care homes, and staying warm
- From the Archives: Martha's first month in assisted living
- Slice of Life: the case for soup
The IRS begins accepting 2025 tax returns in late January. If you're 65 or older, here's what you need to know before you file.
The standard deduction went up. If you're single and 65+, it's approximately $16,550. Married filing jointly with both spouses 65+, it's around $32,300. If your total deductions are less than that — and for most seniors, they are — take the standard deduction and don't overthink it.
Social Security can be taxed. Up to 85% of your benefits are taxable if your combined income exceeds $44,000 (married) or $34,000 (single). Combined income means your adjusted gross income, plus nontaxable interest, plus half your Social Security benefits. Translation: If you have pension income, RMDs, or investment income on top of Social Security, some of those benefits are probably getting taxed.
RMDs count as ordinary income. Your 2025 required minimum distribution shows up on your 2025 return. If you made a QCD (qualified charitable distribution) — that's when you send money from your IRA directly to a charity — that portion isn't taxed. It's one of the best tax moves retirees have.
You can file for free. If your income is under $84,000, IRS Free File lets you file electronically at no cost. If you'd rather have a real person help, AARP Tax-Aide runs 5,000+ sites with free, IRS-certified volunteers. No income limit for that one.
Deadline: April 15, 2026. If you need more time, file Form 4868 for an extension — but you still owe any taxes by April 15. The extension is for paperwork, not payment.
Find free tax help at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide →
🛒 The senior care products actually worth the money. I tested a lot of "senior-friendly" products over the years. Most are overpriced versions of things you already own. But a few are genuinely worth it — especially in mobility aids, medication management, and home safety. I wrote a guide covering the 10 categories that actually matter.
🏥 5 questions to ask before choosing a care home. The brochure always looks great. The questions that matter are the ones they don't put in the brochure — staff-to-resident ratios, turnover rates, what happens when care needs increase. Benjamin Wells walks through the 5 considerations most families miss.
❄️ Hypothermia can happen indoors. This one catches people off guard. Seniors are at higher risk for hypothermia, and it can happen inside your home if the temperature drops below 65°F. Symptoms: shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness. If your heating bill is too high, LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provides help — apply through your state energy office or call 211. Keep your thermostat at 68°F minimum.
Adjusting to Assisted Living: Martha's Joyful Journey — by Victoria Sinclair
This is a real story, not a guide. Martha's first month in assisted living — the good, the hard, and the surprising. She thought she was giving up her independence. Instead, she found a gardening club, a bridge partner named Frank, and a morning coffee group that became her closest friends.
Victoria wrote this one with the kind of detail that makes you feel like you're sitting in the room. One thing that stuck with me: Martha's monthly costs at her assisted living facility were almost identical to what she was spending to maintain her old house — about $3,900 either way. Most families don't run that math.
If someone you love is weighing this decision, send them this.
January is soup month. Not officially — I just decided. There's something about a cold Tuesday in the middle of winter that only a pot of soup can fix. It doesn't have to be fancy. A can of chicken noodle and a sleeve of saltines has gotten more people through January than any wellness trend ever will. Make the soup. Sit down. Let it warm you from the inside out.
Until next Tuesday,
Nino
P.S. If this was useful, forward it to someone who could use a tax season game plan. And hit reply if you want — I read every one.
