News

  • 2016 Congressional Corner Its Bigger Than Martin Shkreli

    The aggressive collection efforts resulted from a one-line change tucked into the 2008 Farm Bill lifting the statute of limitations. The U.S. Treasury seized a reported .9 billion in tax refunds this year alone — million of that was for debts more than 10 years old. The Social Security Administration says that 400,000 taxpayers collectively owe 4 million in debts that are more than 10 years old. .Despite the fact that leaders are holding steadfast on their positions, a small bipartisan group in the House proposed a plan on Thursday that would fund the government for six months and repeal the health care law's controversial tax on medical devices. The leaders of the bipartisan group – Reps. Ron Kind (WI-3) and Charlie Dent (PA-15) – believe their proposal represents a fair compromise that both sides can support. .According to testimony from a hearing on the problem held by the Senate Special Committee on Aging, fraudsters are "hijacking" federal benefits by using personal information such as name, date of birth and Social Security number. One victim who testified, Alexandra Lane, 73, of Florida went through a 50-day ordeal to recover close to ,500 worth of payments, which was not resolved until she turned to Senator Bill Nelson (FL) for assistance. Getting the money back has taken even longer, almost six months, for others. … Continued

  • 2021 Loss Of Buying Power Study

    Senate Drug-pricing Bill to get Renewed Push .Last week House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) reiterated the need for Congress to prevent an unintended and unanticipated Social Security benefit reduction – caused by the pandemic recession — that will affect certain beneficiaries, after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an updated estimate of this effect. .TSCL has been working to get legislation enacted that would require a minimum COLA of no less than 3%, even in years when inflation falls below that amount. There's a lot of money at stake for retirees. An analysis prepared by Advisor editor Mary Johnson estimates that Social Security benefits for anyone retired since 2009 would be 18% higher today had Social Security recipients been protected by such a 3% minimum. An average benefit of ,075 in 2009 has increased to ,229.60 in 201But had beneficiaries received a minimum COLA of no less than 3%, that benefit would be ,453.10 per month today — more than 3.50 per month higher! … Continued

For updates on our efforts, visit the Legislative News section of our website, or our new page on Facebook. .This year, we challenged our members to be more vocal than ever about their Social Security and Medicare concerns, and our expectations were surpassed to say the least! Our members signed an unprecedented 1,504,372 petitions, and in April, we boxed them up, trekked to Capitol Hill, and delivered them by hand to the offices of each Representative and Senator in the U.S. Congress. .As a result of the new rule, consumers will have to pay more for their prescriptions, as a growing number of people rely on the programs offered by drug makers to lower their copays. .In a normal year the two-week period around Christmas and New Years Day is a slow news period. But, as with so much else, that was not true this year. .In 1996 Congress passed legislation barring felony fugitives from receiving SSI benefits. A new computer program should end such payments while helping law enforcement officers to track down fugitives. Computers match law enforcement records against the data files of beneficiaries of SSI and other Social Security programs. When a match is found, SSI benefits can be terminated, and investigators can provide law enforcement officials with the fugitive`s most recent address where he or she has been receiving checks. .Raising Medicare Age Would Save 500 Billion Dollars .And the American government has no effective way to fight back. .However, it differs from the House version which means it must go back to the House to see if it will agree with the changes that were made. .The Inspector General found .1 billion in wages and self -employment income was reported in tax years 2006-2011 under the 67,000 numbers. The wage reports were placed in the Social Security Earnings Suspense File. The problem with placing these numbers into the Earnings Suspense File, however, allows for the earnings to potentially be claimed and used for determining benefits in the future.