About 30 percent of the "other than legal " immigrants who were living in the U.S., and age 62 in 2000, would be eligible to receive retiree benefits. .Lawmakers Avert Government Shutdown .Given that disabled beneficiaries would receive on average 0,000 prior to transferring to Social Security benefits, even the smallest error in determining eligibility can result in significant overpayments. TSCL believes that the government should make every effort to perform timely continuing disability reviews (CDRs) to ensure that benefits are only paid out to those who are eligible. The Social Security Administration estimates that every spent on medical CDRs yields about in SSA program savings over ten years. Currently the CDR backlog stands at 1.2 million. SSA's goal for FY2013 is 435,000 CDRs based on the current level of funding. .The state of Virginia, however, offers retirees a chance to retain certain parts of coverage but "opt out" of others. If Paula "opted out" of Part D drug coverage, for example, and took medical, dental, and vision coverage alone, she would pay 6 per month. The portion of the premium for the drug coverage through the state of Virginia was a whopping 4 per month. .A majority of those at this week's hearings, however, were strongly opposed to the IPAB. Multiple Members referred to it as the "denial of care board," and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Frank Pallone (NJ) called it the fruits of a "growing, imperialistic presidency." Critics believe that it will undermine Congress's ability to represent their constituents, and that elected officials — not a Board of Presidential appointees — should be legislating healthcare policy. .Sources: "Report: Social Security Numbers Active For 6.5 Million People Aged 112," Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press, March 14, 201"Man Impersonates Dead Mother To Collect 5,000 In Social Security, Rent Subsidies," New York Daily News, June 17, 2009. .Finally, two new cosponsors – Representative Jim Renacci (OH-16) and Representative Beto O'Rourke (TX-16) – signed on to the bipartisan CREATES Act (H.R. 2212), bringing the total up to twenty-one. If adopted, the CREATES Act would increase competition in the prescription drug industry by encouraging generic and biosimilar drug manufacturers to introduce their products to the market more quickly. .TSCL is highly concerned that the projected decline in Social Security revenues, along with the expected .5 trillion drop in general revenues caused by recent tax cuts, will create growing pressures to cut federal spending on benefits. The most frequently discussed changes include raising the eligibility age for benefits, imposing means testing, and slowing the growth of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by tying the annual boost to the more slowly-growing chained consumer price index. .Dental insurance works differently than health insurance. Standard Medicare, for example, has an 80/20 structure. Traditional Medicare pays about 80% of the Medicare approved cost, while the patient, or the patient's supplemental insurance, pays most, or all of the balance. On the other hand, dental insurance can follow a 100-80-50 structure. If you use in-network dentists, dental plans may pay 100% of routine preventive services, such as x-rays, cleanings and exams. The plan may pay only 80% for basic procedures such as fillings, root canals, and extractions. And major procedures such as crowns, implants and gum disease treatments may only be reimbursed at 50%, which can set you back with significant out-of-pocket costs.