News

  • Legislative Update June 2014

    First, one new cosponsor – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5) – signed on to the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 1205), bringing the total up to 19If adopted, H.R. 1205 would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) – two provisions that unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits of millions of teachers, police officers, and other state and local government employees each year. It would ensure that public servants receive the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve. .Why You Should Beware When The Doctor Wants To Hold You For "Observation" .Watch our public service video about the need for a fair Social Security COLA and spread the word! … Continued

  • Notch Legislation Introduced In The 110th Congress Feed

    Legislation passed in 1983 required all Members of Congress to pay into Social Security. That said, like all high-income workers, they only pay Social Security up to the maximum taxable wage, which in 2012 is 0,100. Thus Members of Congress pay no Social Security taxes on the additional ,900 they receive as salary. Since Members of Congress are high-income earners, they are also in line for the maximum tax break due to the payroll tax cut extension. The payroll tax rate has temporarily been cut by 2%, meaning Members of Congress will save ,002 in 2012. .Just years before they were set to retire, these individuals learned that they would have significantly lower benefits than originally anticipated. The issue was created by the amendments to the Social Security Act that were signed into law in 1977, and it has compounded over time. .Often, the most consequential decisions are those we make only once or twice in a lifetime. But decision – making itself is a skill that takes practice. That means we can get better at it. Even with practice though, it's almost impossible to forecast whether our decisions will work out. Often there are hidden factors at play, influencing our decisions, of which we may not even be aware. Learning about how our minds could be sabotaged, and how we could be nudged in wrong direction, can help us improve our decisions. One of these nudges is called the "anchor effect." … Continued

Under a rule change that will take effect in July the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will allow insurers and employers to exclude certain copay assistance programs from counting toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The rule applies even for expensive brand-name drugs with no generic alternatives. .Before Obamacare "Glitch," There Was The Notch Glitch .But if mature workers are not working and earning, they can't make critical life investments in themselves, their families, and their futures. .The process involves more than just an application. If you qualify you would also need to select a drug plan. You can apply for Extra Help anytime. Visit socialsecurity.gov/i1020 to apply online. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. .This week, lawmakers remained in their home states and districts for the two-week spring recess. .In addition, should your husband improve and regain the ability to work, he would be allowed to earn ,580/month in 2021 before his benefits would be temporarily reduced due to Social Security's earnings restriction rules. Under disability rules, your husband could not earn more than ,310/month without losing eligibility for disability benefits altogether. Should your husband continue to improve, he could earn more by the year he attains full retirement age. .The Senior Citizens League strongly supports legislation in both the House and the Senate that would address this issue. H.R.576 Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) in the House would expand Medicare to provide routine dental care. In the Senate, S.22 Medicare Dental Benefit Act, introduced by Senator Ben Cardin (MD) would also provide coverage for dental care. .Here are a few secrets about Part D coverage that keep you stuck in your plan and overpaying for prescriptions: .Under the hospital price transparency rule, some 6,000 U.S. hospitals will have to publicly provide their negotiated rates with insurers for 300 common medical services, along with the discounted cash price they're willing to accept for those procedures.