Dear Michiganders: 

We all agree we must do more to help older Michiganders retire with dignity. Right now, stressors are forcing them to make impossible choices between medication, food, rent, and other bills.  

That’s why when I took office, I set a goal to become the first “age-friendly state” in the Midwest. I’m proud that we’ve achieved that goal by proposing bold initiatives to lower costs for seniors including a roll back of the retirement tax, expanding access to healthcare, lowering the cost of prescription drugs including insulin, and more.  

Today, I’m excited to share with you a few changes from the federal government that will build on our work to put more money back in Michigan seniors’ pockets. If you’re a senior in Michigan, know that there are resources available to help you save money, and my administration is ready to assist you if you need it. 

I will work with anyone to continue our work supporting Michigan seniors. 

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.  

Here in Michigan, I've proposed an elimination of the retirement tax to save half a million households an average of $1,000 a year.  I stand ready to sign a bill from the legislature and help Michigan seniors keep more of their hard-earned money for retirement.  

The monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) will also fall next year to $164.90 for most beneficiaries. That’s a decrease of $5.20 per month compared to the premium in 2022. 

In Michigan, we're expanding access to affordable health care, with nearly 900,000 people now covered by Healthy Michigan. My administration expanded dental care for Michiganders covered by Medicaid or Healthy Michigan plans, expanded access to telemedicine, and signed bipartisan legislation requiring all insurers to cover telehealth.  

Hearings aids are now on store shelves across the country—for thousands of dollars less than they previously cost. In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, which goes into effect today. That means residents can access more affordable options for hearing aids over the counter, saving Michiganders up to $3,000 per pair.  

The recently signed Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of energy, health care, and prescription drugs for Michiganders. Specifically, the law includes a $35 a month cap on insulin for Medicare recipients starting on January 1, 2023. According to the most recent data, 122,000 Michiganders on Medicare use insulin, and the Inflation Reduction Act caps their insulin costs at $35 a month.  

As you may have read in my recent updates, I signed an executive directive to determine how the State of Michigan can lower the cost of insulin for Michiganders with other types of health insurance too, including by developing its own manufacturing capabilities. I also signed bipartisan legislation to protect Michiganders against surprise medical billing, to lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase pharmacy oversight based on recommendations from the Prescription Drug Task Force.