The Economic Times

Government shutdown 2026 fallout: How your student loans, Social Security, and investments could be affected

As the January 30, 2026, deadline nears, a partial U.S. government shutdown threatens vital services. Social Security and Medicare remain protected as mandatory spending, but administrative support will freeze. Student loan payments stay due, while FAFSA processing faces 90% staffing cuts. Market volatility looms with a potential 0.1% weekly GDP loss. Federal workers face unpaid furloughs, complicating an already fragile economy amid rising global geopolitical tensions.