The U.S. government is transitioning Social Security and VA benefits from paper payments to electronic methods, with paper checks ending on September 30, 2025. The change, mandated by President Donald Trump's 2025 order, aims to reduce fraud and improve efficiency, though exceptions exist for beneficiaries without access to electronic payment systems.

Portugal has increased the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most foreigners, with Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Angola facing 7 years. Cabinet Minister António Leitão Amaro cited the need for 'effective connection to the national community' as justification. The reforms include stricter language, cultural, and security checks, and allow for the revocation of citizenship for serious crimes. The Chega party, a populist opposition, supports the changes, reflecting broader European anti-immigration trends.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that June 2025 payments will follow the regular schedule, with benefits distributed based on birth dates. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks will not be issued in June due to the first day of the month falling on a weekend. Florida has over 5 million residents receiving Social Security benefits, with 7.4 million Americans nationwide qualifying for SSI.

The article discusses the potential impacts of President Trump's proposal to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, which could lead to higher benefits for retirees but also risks accelerating the depletion of Social Security's trust funds. Experts warn that without a strategy to replace the lost revenue, there could be future cuts to benefits. The article also explores how changes in tax policies could influence retirement behavior and highlights the complexity of the current tax system on Social Security benefits.

The article outlines the May 2025 Social Security payment schedule, including dates for retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It details changes to the full retirement age, cost-of-living adjustments, and maximum benefit amounts for 2025. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is mentioned as part of federal reforms impacting Social Security.