News

  • Hundreds Lose Ss Disability Benefits Fraud Probe

    (Photo: iStockphoto) .(Washington, DC) – Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) would need to double their rate of growth and Medicare Part B premium increases would need to slow by half their historic rate to provide greater Social Security benefit adequacy, says a new report from The Senior Citizens League. Using the federal government's economic projections for the Social Security COLA and Medicare Part B premium estimates over the next decade, the study examined how well Social Security benefits would cover Part B premiums increases in coming years. .Despite the big drop in costs related to petroleum prices, the overall costs typical of Social Security recipients continue to grow faster than benefits. Since 2000, the COLA has increased benefits just 43 percent while typical senior expenses have jumped 74 percent. Inflation has been at historic lows in recent years and seniors received a COLA of just 1.7 percent this year. … Continued

  • Congressional Corner August 2016

    Many are wary at this point in time about the likelihood of reaching a deal before the December 31st deadline. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) predicted that the Fiscal Cliff would hit as scheduled, saying, "It looks like that's where we're headed." Any hope of reaching a deal now lies in the hands of Majority Leader Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY). .Two Social Security Reforms That Seniors Strongly Support .The sharp plunge was the result of changes that Congress made in 1977 to a. Could Your Benefits Be Notched? The Notch Fairness Act Introduced in the House and Senate … Continued

You can receive Social Security benefits and unemployment benefits at the same time. But depending on the state where you live, the unemployment benefit amount might be reduced by receipt of a pension or other retirement income like Social Security. .In April, TSCL's staff trekked up to Capitol Hill to hand-deliver hundreds of thousands of petitions to each Congressional office. The petitions were delivered along with a cover letter from Larry Hyland, Chairman of TSCL's Board of Trustees, who encouraged Members to support key bills. He wrote: "Your constituents listed in the following pages are active and informed, and these represent some of the issues that matter the most to them. Each of these bills would go a long way in protecting and defending the earned benefits of senior citizens." .(Washington, DC) – Seventy-eight percent of retirees think Congress should cap what Medicare beneficiaries must spend out-of-pocket on prescription drugs, according to new survey by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). Unlike other types of insurance, Medicare Part D has no annual out-of-pocket maximum. This leaves the sickest retirees spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in pharmacy costs for prescription medications every year. .Unlike AARP, The Senior Citizens League is a true grassroots organization. Almost one hundred percent of our revenue comes from individual donations, and we do not sell any products to our members. We even refuse outside advertising in our materials. Our sole focus is on education and protection of the Social Security and Medicare benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. .In the meantime, though, as businesses re-open and we return to a new version of normal, it's important to stay vigilant. .Click here to add your name to a petition, learn how you can help, or take a poll. .TSCL would like to thank the following Members of Congress and their aides for taking time out of their busy schedules to discuss issues of critical importance to seniors: Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1), Rep. Jack Kingston (GA-1), Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11), Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-5), Rep. Steve Stockman (TX-36), Bobby Cornett (Legislative Director for Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-8)), Hill Thomas (Legislative Director for Rep. John Barrow (GA-12)), and Chris Maneval (Legislative Assistant for Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-4)). .She had a very tempting decision. If she "opted out" and decided not to take supplemental coverage through her former employer, she could join a new Medicare Advantage plan and pay The resolution would also allow committees to meet remotely using interactive technology and let members cast votes remotely during the legislative process. .My sister lives alone at age 7She has no children. I've noticed a growing number of changes in her health over the past two years. She seems to have problems with anxiety, and recently became immobilized with fear of evacuating her home, prior to a severe hurricane. Fortunately she was OK, despite four days without power. Home maintenance tasks are becoming a huge burden for her and I worry about her vulnerability to scams. When should single older people start making plans for moving to assisted living? .The chances for legislation remain strong as more experts say older seniors need a benefit boost to protect them from outliving their retirement resources. Your continued support, letters, and phone calls to Members of Congress make all the difference in building co-sponsorship. TSCL has been instrumental in building support for the Notch Fairness legislation and remains committed to passage. .I've heard a lot of confusing advice on when to start Social Security. I'm divorced, single, and I turn 63 this year. I know that by waiting, my benefit will grow, but I'm not sure how much longer I will have my job. I need to augment my income now, especially to afford my health insurance costs. I don't have much in retirement savings. What are my best options? ."Our health care system is a symbol of our national identity and we are committed to defending it. The actions we are taking today will help protect Canadians' access to the medication they rely on," said Patty Hajdu, Canada's minister of health. .The ongoing problem of extremely low COLAs, and double digit Part B premiums could be eliminated entirely if Congress were to focus instead on ensuring a higher net Social Security benefit. This could be done by enacting a one - time benefit boost or an emergency COLA. Either approach would satisfy the Social Security Act's hold harmless requirement that an individual's net benefit will not decrease from one year to the next as a result of an increase in the Part B premium, as specifically stated in section (§1839[f]). To prevent the triggering of hold harmless it would be very important that an emergency COLA payable in January 2021 is structured as an actual boost to the net benefits of Social Security recipients, rather than simply providing a flat emergency payment by check. .Source: The Federal Government's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook, Government Accountability Office, October 201"Monitoring Medicare+Choice, What Have We Learned?" Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., August, 2004. .Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (NV) told reporters on Wednesday, "The CR is not done; it's a work in progress … This isn't going to be wrapped up in the next couple hours, that's for sure." In addition, Senator John Thune (SD) said, "I think [Majority Leader McConnell's] goal all along has been to try and get something considered by the end of this week, to try and wrap things up. But I'll just tell you, my own view is that, based on past experience, I don't think we'll get there this week. I think this probably spills into next week." .Millions of people, age 65 and older, have very limited incomes, and minimal savings. In 2016, half of all Medicare beneficiaries had incomes less than ,200. A looming question is whether the official measure still provides an accurate picture of poverty. premiums for her hospitalization, doctors' and outpatient coverage. In addition, the plan also offered hearing, vision, dental and Part D drug coverage. .A minimal source of supplemental benefits for seniors with extremely low benefits (Supplemental Security Income, or SSI).