Hi, I'm Cent! Every week I round up what is new and what is coming from official U.S. sources, in plain words. This week: the Fed left rates alone, I bonds bought now earn 5.51%, and it is sign-up season for health plans.
The Fed kept its key rate at 3.75% to 4%
Announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026
The Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee (FOMC) left the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.75% to 4%, after raising it by 0.25 percentage point in September. The vote was 10 to 2; the two members who voted against wanted another 0.25-point increase. The statement said economic activity is expanding at a strong pace and inflation remains elevated. The rate paid on bank reserves stays at 3.90% and the discount rate at 4.0%. The next meeting is Dec. 8–9.
Source: Federal Reserve, FOMC statement and implementation note (Oct. 28, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: Fed interest rate decision, October 28, 2026: rates held at 3.75% to 4% · Credit card payoff calculator
I bonds bought now earn 5.51%
Announced Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
TreasuryDirect set the rate for I bonds issued from Nov. 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027 at 5.51%. It is made of a fixed rate of 1.40%, which stays with the bond for its whole life, and an inflation rate of 2.04% for six months. Bonds you already own keep their own fixed rate and get the new 2.04% inflation rate for their next six-month period. The previous rate was 4.26%. You can buy up to $10,000 of electronic I bonds a year, and a bond must be held at least 12 months.
Source: TreasuryDirect, I bonds interest rates (checked Nov. 1, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: I bond calculator
The economy grew 3.4% a year in the third quarter
Released Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimated that real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 3.4% in July through September, up from 2.2% in the second quarter. This is the first of three estimates; the second comes on Nov. 25. In a separate report, prices measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index were 3.6% higher in September than a year earlier, or 3.1% without food and energy. Personal income rose 0.2% in September.
Source: BEA, GDP advance estimate, 3rd quarter 2026 and BEA, Personal income and outlays, September 2026 (Oct. 29, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: Inflation calculator · U.S. economic calendar
Health-plan sign-ups: HealthCare.gov is open, Medicare until Dec. 7
HealthCare.gov: Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 · Medicare: until Dec. 7, 2026
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov began Nov. 1. Choose a plan by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1; the last day is Jan. 15. Update your expected 2027 income on your application so your savings are right. In its Oct. 30 fact sheet, CMS said more than 75% of HealthCare.gov shoppers will have access to premiums at or below $50 a month in 2027, and that people can choose from about 100 plans from five to six insurers on average. Medicare Open Enrollment continues through Dec. 7.
Source: HealthCare.gov, dates and deadlines, CMS, Plan Year 2027 Marketplace plans and prices fact sheet (Oct. 30, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: ACA subsidy calculator · Medicare costs & Open Enrollment
Still waiting: 2027 tax brackets, 401(k) limits and the Medicare Part B premium
Not published as of Nov. 1, 2026
The IRS news releases through Oct. 29 do not include the 2027 tax brackets and standard deduction or the 2027 401(k) and IRA contribution limits, and CMS has not yet announced the 2027 Medicare Part B premium (2026: $202.90 a month). We do not publish estimates; our calculators will switch to the official numbers when they are released.
Source: IRS newsroom and CMS newsroom (checked Nov. 1, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: Year-end tax checklist 2026: dates and limits
Coming this week: job openings and the October jobs report
Tuesday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 6, 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes job openings for September (JOLTS) on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. ET, and the Employment Situation report for October on Friday, Nov. 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET, with the unemployment rate, jobs added and average hourly earnings. October consumer prices follow on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Source: BLS, release schedule (as listed on our economic calendar, checked Nov. 1, 2026).
Try it on CentDaily: U.S. economic calendar