Between October of 2018, and January 2019, consumer prices fell according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On January 1, 2019, Social Security beneficiaries received a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8 ...
Category: Issues
H.R. 2787, CPI for Seniors Act
If adopted, H.R. 2787 would mandate the monthly formulation and publication of a consumer price index specifically for senior citizens for the purpose of establishing an accurate Social Security COLA for beneficiaries. ...
What Happens to Medicare Part B Premiums When There’s a Very Low COLA
Inflation data through April suggests that the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2020 could be very low, perhaps 1.2%. Even though Social Security recipients received the highest COLA since 2012 this year —2.8 ...
Feds Shut Down $1.2 Billion Medicare Scheme — Finally
By Mary Johnson, editor For years I’ve been getting the same unwanted robo call. “Hello seniors!” a voice bellows. “Stand by to learn how you can receive a free back brace covered by Medicare.” This call is a sca ...
Specialty Drugs Under Medicare Part D Nearly Two Times Higher Than Under Medicaid
Prices charged for the category of drugs known as “specialty medications” are exploding so quickly that they’re now a key source of concern for both consumers and Congress. Specialty drugs include those used to treat ca ...
Older Americans Want Action to Lower Medicare Drug Costs
(Washington, DC) – Susan Gross, a 66 - year old retired office assistant living in Central Virginia, spends most of her day caregiving. Her 46-year-old son, who is disabled from cerebral palsy, lives with her, as does h ...
Social Security Benefits Lose 33% of Buying Power Since 2000
(Washington, DC) Social Security benefits have lost 33 percent of buying power since 2000, according to the latest Social Security Loss of Buying Power Study released today by The Senior Citizens League. “One would thi ...
Social Security Expansion Gets New Attention in US House
The idea that Social Security benefits should be modestly boosted, with an across-the-board benefit increase and a more generous cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment, is getting some serious attention in the U.S. House of Re ...
Failing to Lift Debt Limit Would Be “Disastrous” For Social Security and Medicare
The federal government shutdown that occurred from midnight December 22, 2018, until January 25, 2019, was the longest in U.S. history. It was so disruptive that an analysis from Standard and Poor’s (S & P) estimate ...
Benefit Bulletin: May 2019
When You Can’t Afford Your Prescription Drug Costs, Apply for “Extra Help” Rick Delaney, Chairman, TSCL The high cost of prescription drugs has been the topic of recent Congressional hearings. The combination of h ...