High unemployment during the COVID pandemic of 2020 could cause an estimated 4 million people who were born in 1960 to face permanent reductions to their Social Security benefits, due to a flawed feature of the Social Se ...
Alzheimer’s Drug Could Increase Part B Premiums for Everyone
A newly approved drug to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is drawing criticism for it’s $56,000 price tag, especially given its lack of proven effectiveness. Aduhelm stirred controversy when the Food and Drug ...
COLA Estimated to Be 6% to 6.1% For 2022
By Mary Johnson, editor The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year is likely to be the highest seen by retirees since 1982. Based on the most recent CPI data through August, I estimate that th ...
Q & A: August 2021
Can Drug Plans Drop Coverage Of Brand Drugs Mid Year? Q: My 2021 Part D plan dropped my brand drug from its formulary. Are drug plans allowed to do this? If the generic doesn’t work for me, am I allowed to change p ...
Ask the Advisor: August 2021
Q: Why Can’t Legal Guardians Receive Social Security Benefits on Behalf of Grandchild? Q: We are raising our 6-year-old grandson under permanent court ordered guardianship to age 18. However, we are not allowed an a ...
The “Medicare Tax” That Never Made It To The Medicare Trust Fund
By Mary Johnson, editor The last time the Medicare Part A Trust Fund (hospital insurance) was forecast to become insolvent was in 2009. At the time, the Part A Trust Fund was forecast to become insolvent by 2017. Luck ...
How Much Will Medicare Beneficiaries Spend On Healthcare Costs This Year?
According to TSCL’s 2021 study of typical retiree costs, the average Medicare recipient can expect to spend more than $1,000 per month on healthcare costs this year. Considering that the average retiree benefit is just ...
Congressional Inaction Could Lead to Show Down Over Social Security Benefits
With unemployment still 5.4%, and less payroll tax revenue to finance the benefits of swelling Social Security rolls, how is the program’s financing faring during our 2021 economic recovery? The Social Security Trustees ...
Frequently Asked Question: July 2021
Does Congress Plan to Fix An Impending Social Security Cut? Q: Have you heard anything about congress fixing a Social Security cut for those of us born in 1960? — K.S. A: TSCL has been getting a steady stream of ...
Ask the Advisor: July 2021
What Happened to Legislation to Cut Prescription Drug Costs? Q: What is the status of legislation to lower prescription drug costs? I thought this Congress had made cutting the cost of prescription drugs a priority. ...
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