News

  • Could Automatic Medicare Cuts Affect You

    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

  • S 141 Protecting Seniors Access Medicare Act

    The age at which you start Social Security is for most people the biggest financial decision you will ever make. But according to TSCL's annual Senior Survey, 71% of survey participants said that prior to starting Social Security benefits, they had no idea of the amount of money they could expect over a typical 20 to 30 year retirement. That lack of financial information can have big consequences for your standard of living in retirement, your success at making your retirement finances last, and ultimately how much you enjoy retirement. .When the Office of Inspector General matched the 6.5 million Social Security numbers against the Social Security Administrations file, it found 67,000 of the numbers were used to report wages for people other than the cardholders, a sign the numbers were used for illegal work. According to the Associated Press, one Social Security number was used 613 different times. An additional 194 numbers were used at least 50 times each. .However, a new analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center was just released that has its own updated forecast that includes the effects of the pandemic. … Continued

Four Bills Gain Support .Sources: "Crackdown Proposed To Prevent Illegal Immigrants From Obtaining Medicare," Robert Pear, The New York Times, March 3, 201"Medicare Improperly Paid Providers Millions Of Dollars For Unlawfully Present Beneficiaries," Daniel R. Levinson, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General January 2013. .With the November 4th elections now behind us, TSCL is gearing up for another action-packed year. This coming spring, the temporary "doc fix" will expire and Members of Congress will need to stave off another severe pay cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients. Failing to do so could jeopardize access to medical care for millions of senior citizens. TSCL will be advocating for a long-term solution that would repeal the sustainable growth rate formula, once and for all, and establish a permanent path forward. .In context, DeSantis seemed to be making a point about the safety of flying on a plane rather than the role airplanes played in spreading the virus from place to place. .The COLA also doesn't reflect cost increases in Medicare premiums and other rapidly growing Medicare costs. Research for The Senior Citizens League has found that Medicare Part B premiums are one of the fastest growing costs in retirement. Medicare Part B premiums, which are automatically deducted from Social Security checks, often consume most, or even all, of the COLA increase. .GAO found that many individuals do not fully understand that their benefits will continue to grow the longer they wait to collect them. In addition, GAO found that many field offices are not consistently providing the information individuals need to make informed decisions. As a result, many older Americans may begin collecting Social Security benefits earlier than necessary without knowing the financial consequences. .Increasing the amount of wages that is taxed for Social Security, which is currently limited to 7,200. Higher - wage earners currently pay no Social Security taxes at all on income earned over that amount. .The Senior Citizens League supports your right to avoid unwanted direct mail. If you no longer want to receive mailings from The Senior Citizens League, you can opt out by contacting us at comments@ and telling us, "No mail please." Be sure to include your name and mailing address as it appears on the mail you are receiving from The Senior Citizens League. .Education and Communication (college tuition, postage, telephone services, computer software and accessories);