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    This week, Members of Congress returned to Washington following a two-week recess and quickly began working on legislation to prevent a government shutdown. In addition, House Republicans revived the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would repeal and replace most of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if adopted. Finally, one House Subcommittee met to discuss fraud prevention within the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program. .The tax cut costs the federal government approximately 0 billion each year it is extended. Allowing it to expire after this year would more than cover the cost of the Notch Fairness Act's passage. TSCL believes that Congress must pass the Notch Fairness Act to correct a wrong done to those affected by the Notch. Each of the offset options above would allow Congress to responsibly pass the Notch Fairness Act without contributing to the deficit. To learn more about the Social Security Notch, visit our website at . .What Was I Thinking? … Continued

  • Seniors Lose 31 Percent Of Their Buying Power Since 2000 2013 Annual Survey Of Senior Costs Finds Expenses Have Increased More Than Twice As Fast As Social Security Cola

    Social Security Can Be Fixed Without Benefit Cuts .The number of Medicare patients in observation stays has jumped 69% in the past five years, according to federal records. They are also staying in the hospital longer. Even though Medicare recommends that hospitals decide within 24 to 48 hours whether to admit or discharge patients, the number of observation stays exceeding 24 hours have nearly doubled. .Medicare Part B premiums increased to 4 month in 2017 – and the higher costs continue to hit older adults, including a large number of low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet. For these seniors who live paycheck-to-paycheck on Social Security, our failed system means they're facing impossible choices. A meal or medicine? A raincoat or rent payment? … Continued

To find contact information for your Members of Congress, to learn about important issues affecting seniors, or to sign a petition to Congress, visit the ACTION CENTER of our website. .Although it's illegal for immigrants to work in this country without a valid Social Security number, millions of illegal workers readily obtain forged or invalid Social Security numbers and show them to employers to get jobs. Employers use the invalid Social Security numbers for reporting earnings to the Social Security Administration. .According to the group, the plan would reduce the deficit by trillion and it would save enrollees approximately ,500 per year, but it's controversial for two major reasons. First, it would completely eliminate traditional Medicare, whereas many other reform proposals would keep it as an option. Second, those already enrolled in Medicare would be affected by the transition, which would have a 2014 start date. Other reform proposals would delay implementation to protect seniors from any drastic or sudden changes. .If you delay starting benefits, past your full retirement age, your benefit will grow by 8% of the full retirement benefit amount per year until age 70, at which point your benefit would be about ,50To learn more about your Social Security benefits, and to get estimates visit the Social Security Administration's website at www.SSA.gov. .Just how bad is it? We were stunned to learn just how big the disparity in drug prices can be. Recently I compared the highest and lowest prices of the top ten most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. using the Medicare drug plan finder. In my area, a monthly supply of diabetes drug Lantus Solostar for example, ranges from a high of 2.00 from the mail order pharmacy of First Health Part D Value Plus plan to a low of .75 from the network retail pharmacies for SilverScript Choice. In fact, the cost difference between the highest and lowest-cost plans for the ten drugs compared averaged 3 per month! .The approach taken in the Scott bill is also the approach favored in the Senate bills. Ways and Means Chairman Neal said they will start negotiating a compromise between the two House bills that will also be agreeable to the Senate and he is optimistic they can reach a solution soon. This approach is opposed by conservative groups such as the National Taxpayers Union, which have opposed what they call "rate-setting." .Sources: "Distributional Effects Of Raising The Social Security Taxable Maximum," Kevin Whitman, Social Security Policy Brief, July 2009, No.2009-0Lifting the Taxable Maximum Wage, Description of Proposed Provision: E2.2, Social Security Administration Office of the Actuary. .Because you are over 65, you are subject to Medicare's Special Enrollment Period rules that apply to the loss of health insurance coverage through you or your spouse's former employer. You need to enroll in Medicare Part B during the 8-month period that begins the month after your husband's employment ends or the employer health coverage ends, whichever happens first. Coverage under COBRA, however, would NOT be more than a temporary option for you because you would NOT be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends, so don't wait to enroll in Medicare. You have 8 months to sign up for Part B and Part D without penalty, starting after the loss of your husband's job. .On Thursday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that beneficiaries will receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 201It will be the largest Social Security COLA since 2012, but around 5 million seniors with the lowest Social Security benefits are expected see no net increase in their monthly checks after Medicare Part B premiums are deducted. Those with benefits of around 5 per month or less are expected to see no net increase.