Headlines
About Social Security Solvency
Over the past couple of years, we’ve reported numerous times on this page about the looming financial dilemma facing Social Security – depletion of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds in the early to mid-1930s, and…
Storm Clouds Over Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (MA) – healthcare plans from private insurers which replace “original Medicare” – have become all the rage in recent years because they frequently offer services beyond those covered by government-administered Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans typically include restrictions on…
Social Security if a “government shutdown” occurs, plus more about SS solvency
We’ve previously posted reassurances that Social Security benefits will continue to be paid even if a “government shutdown” occurs due to Congressional bickering over the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year. Just to reiterate and emphasize – Social Security payments…
Unique Rules for Surviving Spouses
Judging by the feedback we get from those seeking our counsel about Social Security survivor benefits, even some representatives of the Social Security Administration lack a full understanding about how surviving spouse benefits work – specifically, that the rules for…
Government Shutdown? Social Security benefits, and others, will still be paid
Hyperbole abounds as we approach the end of September, by when Congress must act to provide funding for government operations for the forthcoming fiscal year. If not, then a “government shutdown” will occur. Sounds ominous, right? Well, to some extent…
Surpluses Running Dry. What do Americans Want to do About it?
Social Security faces an inability to pay promised benefits under current law in about 10 years. Selena Marnajian explains the issue, the more than 20% cuts that will occur for all, and the possible fixes. More income can be taxed.…
Here We Go Again: Government Shutdowns & Social Security
No. Social Security benefits will not cease if the federal government shuts down. Vince Cariaga explains the rationale and the funding mechanism for Social Security in this piece. But if a shutdown drags on for a while, there could still…
Op-ed: Social Security’s financing challenges are double that of 1983
Authors Louise Sheiner and Georgia Nabors spend most of this article recapping the 1983 Social Security rescue that took place days before the program would hit insolvency. They explain the term “insolvency” and note the 1983 reform was intended to get the…
Social Security Claws Back Money, Leaving Recipients Baffled
In this long, comprehensive piece, authors David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer explain how the Social Security Administration (SSA) can overpay recipients followed by the long, complex process that ensues thereafter. The SSA is trying to reclaim billions of dollars from many of…
Biden & Social Security Reform: Numbers Don’t Add Up
Sean Williams highlights the Social Security Board of Trustees Report of 2023 detailing a $22.4 trillion funding obligation shortfall through 2097. This means, in plain English, there isn’t enough revenue to be collected over the long-term to sufficiently cover benefit…