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SSA renews computer matching program with CMS
The Social Security Administration is soliciting comments about renewing a computer matching program that is set to expire on January 31, 2015. The computer matching program is with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Notice of the pending…
social security medicare deduction increase 2014
Update 2014 – Social Security Additional Medicare Tax liability on tax … The Medicare Part B. Update 2014 – Social Security Security: Part B premium — most people pay $104.90 each month; Part B deductible — $147 per year; Part A premium — most people don’t pay a…
Social Security and You: When Faced With the Facts, What Do You Do?
Someone once said, “You are entitled to your own set of opinions, but you are not entitled to your own set of facts.” In other words, once you have all the facts about a situation, you certainly can come to…
The Migrant Crisis Could Cost Billions, But Is Border Security Even More Expensive?
The Central American migrant crisis is big news, and the solution is big money. But is all that spending worth it? More important, are there methods of border security that will deliver the U.S. the most for its money? Last week, Texas Gov.…
Rand Paul argues for raising retirement age on I.C. stop
Republican Rand Paul has a story he likes to tell about Twiggy the waterskiing squirrel and the federal government spending $3 million to use the critter to promote the sale of U.S. walnuts in Spain. It’s just one of the…
Retirement Claims Backlog Inches Back Up
The retirement claims backlog inched back up in July, after the Office of Personnel Management reduced the number of outstanding applications to its lowest point in years in June. OPM received 9,101 new retirement applications in July, over 1,000 more than expected.…
Understanding Medicare
Health care is a large potential expense for many seniors. As we age, we typically utilize more medical treatment than when we were younger. There have been studies that estimated these costs could be over $200,000 during the lifetime for many…
The Global Disability Rights Movement: Winning Power, Participation, and Access
“Nothing about us without us” is the global slogan for the disability rights movement. It means that nothing should be decided about people with disabilities without their presence, their participation, and their inclusion. The disability rights movement has been evolving for…
Coast Guard’s early retirement could expand to enlisted ranks
Officers nearing 15 years in service next year have an opportunity to retire sooner than usual thanks to the latest early retirement program. If you’ll have 15 to 19 years under your belt as of Oct. 1, 2015, you can apply…
The Great Retirement Account You’re Not Using
Roth 401(k)s are showing up in more workplaces, but only about 10% of eligible workers saved in one last year. That’s a big mistake. Since they were launched in 2006, Roth 401(k)s have been typecast as the ideal plan for millennials. Paying…