If signed into law, the Social Security Fairness Act would amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Sen. Mark Begich (AK) introduced S. 896 on May … Continued
Issues
Are Deeper Cuts Coming? — How Much Would You Lose?
Most analysts believe that switching to a more – stingy measure of inflation to determine annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will form a key provision to larger government-wide deficit reduction legislation. The idea received the blessing of President Obama who offered … Continued
Major Immigration Reform Legislation Moving in Congress
Congress is coming together on immigration legislation that would provide work authorization and access to Social Security numbers to millions of immigrants who worked here illegally. A new TSCL research report based on data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) … Continued
Medicare Fraud Program Cut—Congress Considers Higher Medicare Costs For Seniors
By Mary Johnson, Editor Medicare thieves are robbing the program by as much as $60 billion a year. But that hasn’t stopped recent automatic Medicare cuts from slashing the very program established to protect scarce Medicare funds from fraud and … Continued
Could Your Benefits Be Notched?
The Notch Fairness Act Introduced in the House and Senate Are you at risk of a notch in your Social Security benefits? A “notch” refers to inequality in benefits between people who are close in age and have similar earnings … Continued
Social Security & Medicare Questions: April/May 2013
Q: I’m turning 65 later this year and my dentist tells me that I will need dentures. Does Medicare cover dental services? A: Medicare does not cover routine dental care that you normally receive for the health of your teeth. … Continued
Ask the Advisor: April/May 2013
Q: I order my prescriptions through the mail to save money. Recently when my expensive brand drug went generic, I switched to a new, less expensive, drug plan. Shortly thereafter, I received an unordered shipment of the expensive brand drug … Continued
Best Ways To Save: April/May 2013
How Can We Maximize Our Social Security Payments? Q: I’m 66, still working, and have not started benefits. If I start benefits now I would get $1,863 per month. My wife turns 64 this year and would like to start … Continued
Benefit Bulletin: April/May 2013
“Free” Medicare Preventive Services May Not Be Medicare materials give the impression that “You pay nothing for most preventive services,” but that’s not always the case. To qualify, you must meet certain guidelines. Here are four important questions to ask. … Continued
S. 767, Social Security Totalization Agreement Reform Act
If signed into law, the Social Security Totalization Agreement Reform Act would provide for Congressional oversight and approval of all Totalization Agreements. Sen. John Barrasso (WY) introduced S. 767 on April 18, 2013. It has since been referred to the … Continued