The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) did not strip away anyone’s Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Those remain intact for all who qualified under the old rules. In fact, OBBBA was passed as a budget bill and did not directly change the core Social Security program. Monthly Social Security checks (retirement, survivors, disability) are still protected, even for non-U.S. citizens abroad who met eligibility requirements. If you qualified for Social Security benefits before, you still qualify now. California does not tax those benefits, so that advantage remains unchanged.
What did change under OBBBA are the rules for Medicare eligibility. Coverage is now limited to individuals with long-term legal status in the U.S., such as U.S. citizens, green card holders, and a few exceptions like certain refugees and nationals from Compact nations. Seniors without permanent status, such as those on work visas, TPS, or asylees without green cards, are being phased out of Medicare. Even current enrollees in these groups are only grandfathered for 18 months, with coverage ending by early 2027.
So here is the bottom line: Social Security income benefits remain unchanged, but Medicare is now limited to those with permanent legal status. If you’re in that category, you will continue receiving both programs as before. If you’re not, it is important to speak with an advisor to explore alternatives before the transition deadline.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws change frequently, and each situation is unique. Consult a qualified tax professional before acting on any information in this article.Back to the article.