
Texas' most popular baby names in 2024
Lots of little Liams, Olivias, Noahs, Emmas and Mateos will be toddling to a park near you.
The latest: The Social Security Administration recently dropped its list of the most popular baby names in 2024.
Liam and Olivia once again topped the leader board of baby names in Texas, with 3,084 boys and 1,757 girls given the names, respectively.

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Health Line
2 days ago
- Health Line
10 Common Medicare Myths Debunked
There is a lot of information about Medicare, which can lead to various misconceptions or 'myths' about the program. Debunking these myths can help you better understand your options and coverage. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 or who have certain illnesses or disabilities. There are many options when it comes to Medicare plans and coverage. People may find the various options and enrollment confusing. Explaining some common misconceptions may help you make the best Medicare choices for your circumstances. Glossary of common Medicare terms Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount you pay for care when Medicare doesn't pay the full cost or offer coverage. It includes premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Premium: This is the monthly amount you pay for Medicare coverage. Deductible: This is the annual amount you must spend out of pocket before Medicare begins to cover services and treatments. Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs you're responsible for paying out of pocket. With Medicare Part B, you typically pay 20%. Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount you pay when receiving certain treatments or services. With Medicare, this often applies to prescription medications. Myth 1: Medicare Part B is free Medicare Part B helps cover outpatient services and treatments. However, there are out-of-pocket costs involved. Everyone with Medicare is responsible for paying the Part B monthly premium, which starts at $185 and may be higher depending on your income. You are also responsible for paying the $257 Part B deductible. Once you meet this deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of the approved costs for your care, leaving you responsible for the other 20% of the costs. A note on Medicare Advantage If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you are still required to pay the Part B premium, as well as your plan premium. However, your Medicare Advantage plan will set its own deductible. Myth 2: I can enroll in Medicare whenever I want You are eligible to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 years old. You have an initial enrollment period that runs for 7 months, beginning 3 months before your birthday and ending 3 months after. During this time, you can enroll in any plan. Medicare also has an open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you can join, drop, or switch to a new plan. If you do not sign up for Medicare parts A and B when you become eligible, you may be subject to late enrollment penalties. Myth 3: Medicare plans are only available through the federal government There are four parts to Medicare, and only two of them are available through the federal government. The four parts are: Part A Part B Part C (Medicare Advantage) Part D Part A and Part B make up Original Medicare, which is provided by the federal government. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) runs the Medicare program, while the Social Security Administration (SSA) processes your enrollment. Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. The insurance providers and plans vary by area. You can find plans in your area using the Medicare online search tool. Myth 4: Medicare covers all of my medical expenses Medicare does have comprehensive coverage for healthcare. However, there are still out-of-pocket expenses involved. Original Medicare (parts A and B) also does not include prescription drug coverage. You will need to purchase a Part D plan from a Medicare-approved private insurance company. Each part of Medicare has its own costs that you are responsible for paying. These include: premiums deductibles copayments coinsurance Medicare cost examples Most people with Medicare Part A do not pay a premium. However, you are responsible for paying the inpatient deductible and the coinsurance for each day you are in the hospital. $1,676 deductible per benefit period Days 1 to 60: $0 after the deductible is met Days 61 to 90: $419 per day Days 91 to 150: $838 per day while using lifetime reserve days After day 150: all costs Everyone with Medicare must pay the Part B premium. The Part B costs include: Premium: $185 or more, depending on income Deductible: $257 annually Coinsurance: 20% of Medicare-approved costs Myth 5: I will be automatically enrolled in Medicare The only time you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare is if you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you become eligible. Otherwise, you will have to go to the SSA website and enroll in Medicare when you become eligible. Medicare and SSDI Anyone who is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is eligible to receive Medicare after 24 months of receiving SSDI. »Learn more: How to apply for Medicare Myth 6: Medicare will notify me when it's time to enroll Medicare won't notify you when you become eligible to enroll. It is up to you to sign up when you become eligible. Generally, you become eligible to enroll 3 months before your 65th birthday. However, you have until 3 months after your birthday to sign up without late enrollment penalties. Myth 7: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are the same While both Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, they are separate coverage plans. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B), and the plans within the former offer the same coverage as the latter. However, they often come with prescription drug coverage (Part D) and additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, like vision, dental, and hearing. Medigap is extra insurance you can purchase from private insurance companies to help cover costs associated with Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You cannot have Medigap with a Medicare Advantage plan. You are only eligible to purchase a Medigap plan if you have Original Medicare. Myth 8: Medicare and Medicaid are the same thing Medicare is a federal health insurance program that is generally for people over 65 years old. If you have certain illnesses or disabilities, you may also qualify for Medicare coverage. Since this is a federal program, the coverage and costs are standard no matter where you live, except for Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare is funded through your out-of-pocket costs and taxes as well as two government trust funds. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay for medical costs for people with limited incomes. The federal government has certain rules all Medicaid programs must follow. However, each state runs its own program, meaning benefits and eligibility requirements can vary from state to state. People with Medicaid don't typically pay anything for covered medical expenses. However, they may owe a copayment for certain items or services. Myth 9: Medicare costs the same for everyone Many Medicare costs can vary. For example, most people do not pay a premium for Part A. However, if you have not earned enough work credits by working and paying Medicare taxes, you can purchase Part A. Depending on how long you have worked, you will pay either $285 or $518 per month. You may also pay a higher premium for Part B if your income is above $106,000 as an individual or $212,000 as a married couple. The costs of Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D, and Medigap all vary based on the plan you choose and the area you live in. Myth 10: I can't sign up for Medicare because of my health Medicare will cover you even if you have preexisting conditions. You are eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 years old, even if you have current health issues. You are also eligible for Medicare if you have certain illnesses or disabilities, like end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Takeaway There are various misconceptions or 'myths' about Medicare, so it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused. Understanding the difference between myth and fact can help you navigate Medicare easily and make informative decisions on your coverage. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
20 most popular baby names in Florida: Liam, Olivia top the list
At Florida high school graduations this year, don't be surprised if you hear the names Anthony, Isabella, Michael, Sophia, Christopher, Emily, Joshua, Madison, Daniel and Ava mentioned multiple times over the public address system as students walk across the stage to pick up their diplomas. That's because those names were the most popular names for babies born in Florida in 2007, according to the Social Security Administration. For the Class of 2042, though, expect more Elijahs, Noahs, Mias and Emmas. Those names are among the most popular names given to Florida babies born in 2024 in recently released data from the federal agency that issues a Social Security card to every baby born in the U.S. each year. In May, the Social Security Administration released its annual lists of most popular baby names in each state. In Florida, Olivia retained her crown for most popular name for girls born in 2024, extending a run that began in 2021. But Liam was the most popular name among boys and girls born in 2024, with 1,818 boys assigned the name at birth. 2024 marked the 10th consecutive year that Liam held the top spot. Here's a look at Florida's other most popular baby names. Liam (1,818) Noah (1,736) Lucas (926) Elijah (841) Oliver (840) Mateo (802) Dylan (743) Thiago (662) Luca (660) Ethan (646) Matthew (646) Levi (633) Benjamin (631) Sebastian (629) James (605) Michael (579) Asher (574) Theodore (563) Daniel (560) Alexander (531) In 2023, the 10 most popular boy names, Nos. 1 to 10, were Liam, Noah, Lucas, Elijah, Oliver, Dylan, Mateo, Benjamin, Matthew and Luca. A decade ago, the 10 most popular boy names were Noah, Liam, Jacob, Michael, Mason, Ethan, Alexander, Jayden, Elijah and Daniel. Olivia (1,142) Emma (1,084) Mia (1,058) Isabella (1,046) Sophia (952) Amelia (857) Charlotte (707) Sofia (650) Valentina (586) Luna (554) Ava (536) Chloe (500) Aurora (499) Gianna (486) Emily (483) Mila (478) Camila (466) Aria (450) Eliana (430) Victoria (423) In 2023, the 10 most popular girl names were Olivia, Emma, Isabella, Mia, Sophia, Amelia, Charlotte, Luna, Ava and Sophia. A decade ago, the 10 most popular girl names were Isabella, Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Mia, Ava, Emily, Sofia, Abigail and Victoria. Florida's lists of popular baby names largely mirrored those of the United States as a whole. Liam Noah Oliver Theodore James Henry Mateo Elijah Lucas William Olivia Emma Amelia Charlotte Mia Sophia Isabella Evelyn Ava Sofia The Social Security Administration's annual report also shows which names are rising quickest in popularity. For boys, the Top 10 fastest-rising names are Truce, Colsen, Bryer, Halo, Azaiah, Noa, Azai, Aliam, Kolter and Eliel. For girls, the Top 10 fastest-rising names are Ailany, Aylani, Marjorie, Scottie, Analeia, Elodie, Romy, Julietta, Adhara and Ailani. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Popular baby names in Florida in 2024. See the list


Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Social Security Fairness Act Update Given on Expanded Benefits
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an update for those who have not yet received expanded benefits following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act earlier this year. Why It Matters Lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill—the Social Security Fairness Act—that repealed two provisions that limited retirement benefits for certain workers, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, some federal employees, and their spouses. Some 2.8 million people are now eligible for full Social Security benefits. While 91 percent of the those impacted are now receiving full benefits, there are still some "complex cases" that are taking longer to update. The SSA confirmed in April that it has already paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to those impacted. What To Know The Social Security Fairness Act repealed two provisions: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The WEP reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pensions from public-sector jobs—such as those held by state and federal employees—that did not require Social Security payroll tax contributions. This reduction applied even if they contributed to Social Security through other employment and qualified for benefits. The GPO reduced spousal or survivor benefits for retired federal, state, and local government workers who did not pay into Social Security funds through their payroll taxes. A Social Security Administration sign on a field office building in San Jose, California, in 2020. A Social Security Administration sign on a field office building in San Jose, California, in 2020. GETTY Updated benefit amounts, as well as retroactive payments back to December 2023, began in April. But the SSA has confirmed that while more than 90 percent of cases are complete, there are still some outstanding that could not be processed as quickly due to their complexity. "For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount," the SSA said in an update on its website. "We are expediting these cases now." If you are still awaiting your payment, you will receive a notice from the SSA about it. Payment Delays According to a report in USA Today, the newly appointed SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano wants SSA staff to have every outstanding Social Security Fairness Act claim resolved by July 1, with staff directed to prioritize these claims over other customer requests and queries. Some employees have reportedly been offered overtime to work Saturdays and Sundays until the issue is resolved. Newsweek contacted the SSA for comment via email outside of regular working hours. What People Are Saying The SSA said in an April 29 press release: "SSA has made significant strides in implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, having paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Under President [Donald] Trump's leadership, the agency's original estimate of taking a year or more to issue payments now will apply to only complex cases that cannot be processed by automation." What Happens Next The SSA said on its website that retroactive payments and newly adjusted benefit amounts are being released "as we process each case" with the expectation that "all beneficiary records will be updated by early November 2025." Are you a Social Security worker with information to share on the Social Security Fairness Act backlog? Get in touch with