President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 3 that about 20 million Medicare beneficiaries would receive a one-time $90 payment aimed at reducing Medicare Part B premiums, funded from the roughly $2 billion Medicare Improvement Fund. The White House said eligible seniors with direct deposit should receive payments in early October, while others will get mailed checks. The move comes alongside other campaign pledges — including a separate $5,000 dividend promise — and follows several prior cash-payment proposals from Trump that were not issued.
Trump Pledges $90 Payments to 20 Million Seniors to Reduce Medicare Part B Premiums
President Donald Trump on Friday said he would send $90 checks in October to 20 million senior citizens to lower Medicare Part B premiums. Photo by Graeme Sloan/UPI
President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 3 that roughly 20 million Medicare beneficiaries would receive a one-time $90 payment intended to lower Medicare Part B premiums.
Trump said the funds would come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a pool of about $2 billion established in 2008 and subject to congressional appropriation. White House officials said eligible recipients with direct deposit on file should expect the payment in early October; those without direct deposit would receive a paper check by mail.
"I pledged to protect and preserve Medicare and Social Security, which were on the verge of RUIN by Joe Biden, who foolishly and maliciously let tens of millions of Illegal Aliens into our Country, and we are doing just that for America's Seniors," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The announcement comes amid other campaign-era promises. In recent weeks, Trump also pledged that Americans would receive a separate $5,000 "Trump Dividend" if Republicans retain control of the federal government after the midterm elections.
"Because I delivered on this very important issue for the American People, they can also rest assured the highly popular $5,000 Trump Dividend will be distributed to every U.S. Citizen if, and when, the Republicans win the Midterm Elections!" Trump wrote.
Trump has repeatedly promised cash payouts that were not ultimately issued. Examples cited by the administration and media include:
- 2020: A promise to send $2,000 COVID-19 stimulus checks that did not materialize at that level from the administration.
- Early 2025: A proposed $5,000 dividend reportedly tied to savings from a proposed "Department of Government Efficiency."
- Later in 2025: A pledge to distribute $2,000 per person funded by tariff revenues.
None of those previously proposed payouts was distributed as promised. The White House statement on the $90 payment did not provide full details on eligibility criteria beyond existing Medicare enrollment; reporters and beneficiaries were advised to watch for official guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Treasury on timing and verification.
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