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  • Congressional Corner Legislation Would Abolish Two Provisions That Reduce Social Security Benefits Of Public Employees

    New Social Security COLA Legislation Introduced .Fortunately, H.R. 3 is not the only legislation in either house of Congress that could lower drug prices and accomplish the other things necessary to fix Medicare and Social Security. .Rural Americans who face unique challenges would also experience unique struggles under a one-size-fits-all healthcare plan. For years, the farmers, ranchers, and everyone living in our nation's breadbasket have endured inequitable access to quality care and medical services compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. … Continued

  • Best Ways Save December 2014

    For example, one Maine resident worked in the private sector, paying into Social Security for fifteen years before she returned to the teaching profession. Her earned Social Security benefits would have totaled 0 a month. However, due to the WEP, she receives only 0 each month from the program. She is also unable to collect Social Security spousal benefits due to the GPO, even though her spouse paid into the system throughout his entire career. In retirement, she must rely almost entirely upon her teaching pension, which is modest since she spent only a decade in the profession. She told the National Education Association, "If I had known the severe financial penalty I was to pay for returning to teaching, I don't think I would have done it." .The Senior Citizens League is disappointed that another Obamacare promise has been broken, and we are hopeful that the impact on seniors will be minimal. While UnitedHealth is the first Medicare Advantage insurance provider to announce doctor cuts, we do not expect them to be the last. For tips on checking your plan's provider networks or for other Medicare Advantage information, see "Out – Of – Pocket Costs Catch You By Surprise? How To Avoid "Sticker Shock" .Some of our members have told us that they've also joined AARP for the benefits. We're all for seniors saving money, so if you want to join AARP for the discounts, go for it. But we hope you will choose The Senior Citizens League as the group fighting for you on Capitol Hill. … Continued

In normal political times neither party would allow Medicare to be cut. But because of our current highly partisan times, it would require ten Republicans to join with Democrats to stop the cuts to Medicare with new legislation if reconciliation were used. .Under current law, employers withhold 6.2% in Social Security taxes from workers' earnings — an amount that employers match for a total of 12.4%. That money goes to the U.S. Treasury and is used to pay benefits to today's retirees. About 85 percent of all employees, pay Social Security taxes on every dollar earned. .Recently I had a chance to learn how to do a better job at decision - making by taking a course through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Virginia. Instructor Terry Newell's work focuses on values-based leadership, ethics, and better decision making — skills for which there is very high demand — but all too short supply. Here are some insights from Dr. Terry Newell: .The massive effort is needed to change how 59 million people enrolled in Medicare are identified. Historically the red, white, and blue Medicare cards have used the beneficiaries' Social Security number for the Medicare ID number. Unsurprisingly those numbers are a prime target for identity theft and fraud. The new cards come with a unique computer-generated series of 11 letters and numbers. .What Did My Member of Congress Mean By That? .At Wednesday's hearing, Charles Jeszeck – Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – unveiled the findings of a study requested by the Aging Committee's leaders back in March of 201The study examined the extent to which older Americans understand the rules that impact their future benefits when making claiming decisions, and the quality of the information provided by the agency and its field offices around the country. .Deferred Action allows immigrants under the age of 33, who entered the country illegally as children, to request consideration of deferred action on deportation. In addition, the program provides temporary work authorization, and valid Social Security numbers. The work permits are good for two years and the Obama Administration recently announced they are taking applications for renewal. .Is The Government Manipulating COLAs? .On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing to discuss improvements to the Medicare payment system. Currently, reimbursements are determined by the SGR, a flawed formula that regularly calls for steep pay cuts to physicians and threatens seniors' access to medical care. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed a strong interest in repealing and replacing the formula in the coming months.