New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- As Americans head to the polls for the 2026 US midterm elections, the impact goes beyond who controls Congress. It is likely to shape legislative direction and policy decisions for the next 2 years. For households planning their finances, the immediate impact may be more limited than the political headlines, as new laws and policies can reshape taxes, Social Security payments, and retirement benefits.

A recent Fidelity Investments report notes that a closely divided Congress could make major legislation harder to pass and will automatically shift the focus towards executive actions and regulatory changes. Areas to watch include health savings accounts (HSAs), retirement account access, and financial services regula...