The House is expected to try to pass a Social Security-related bill this week to ensure benefits for workers who are also eligible for other pensions, despite a surprise move by hard-right Freedom Caucus leaders to derail the effort.

Though President-elect Donald Trump has often promised to protect Social Security, he has not explained exactly how he would save the beloved – but financially troubled – entitlement program. Nor did he take any meaningful steps to shore up Social Security during his first term in the White House.

Once those trust funds are emptied, Social Security may have no choice but to cut benefits universally. The most recent Social Security Trustees Report puts the timing of those benefit cuts at 2035, which is when the program's combined trust funds are expected to be depleted.

The legislation, if approved, would repeal the provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government.

A bipartisan bill called the Social Security Fairness Act has the approval necessary to reverse two provisions lowering benefits.

Right now, a lot of older Americans have Medicare on the brain because we’re in the midst of the program’s fall open enrollment period. But one misconception about open enrollment is that it’s when you’re supposed to sign up for Medicare coverage.