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Social Security: Isn’t Taxing Benefits Unfair?
Millions rely on Social Security, but many don’t realize it can be taxable until after they retire. Many believe that paying taxes on Social Security benefits that were themselves funded by payroll taxes is unfair. In this installment of our…
Plan your retirement business before saying goodbye to job
If you’re approaching retirement, you should think about what you want to do next. If you’re like many people, the answer is “Start my own business.” Studies show that about 25 million Americans older than 44 want to own their…
Medicare’s ban on covering sex-change surgery lifted
Transgender people receiving Medicare may no longer be automatically denied coverage for sex reassignment surgeries, a US Department of Health and Services review board ruled Friday in a groundbreaking decision that recognizes the procedures as a medically necessary and effective…
Tennessee could lead way on disability services
A new plan to overhaul the way the state cares for people with intellectual disabilities could make Tennessee first in the nation to specifically gear services toward independent living and employment as the “first and preferred option.” The plan, released…
Delaney Releases Statement of Principles to Preserve and Protect Social Security
On May 30, 2014 Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) filed the Social Security Commission Act of 2014 with Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4).The Social Security Commission Act of 2014 is designed to bring both parties and both chambers together, in conjunction…
Retirement planning: It’s like learning how to swim
Question: I have a lot of anxiety about my upcoming retirement in these uncertain times. How do I know what moves to make? Answer: These are scary times and today’s decisions will affect the rest of your life. In addition,…
76 percent of people who qualify for housing aid don’t get it
Many federal programs in the US are structured as entitlements. For example, if you’ve worked enough months and paid payroll taxes, you’re entitled to Social Security payments and Medicare coverage. If you meet federal eligibility requirements for food stamps (which states…
Social Security Changes the Way it Reviews Special Needs Trusts
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued Emergency Message 14026A which provides new instructions for how SSA reviews Special Needs Trusts.Under this new policy Social Security has established a new Regional Trust Reviewer Team which must review all resource determinations for trusts…
Shinseki Out: Obama Says He’s Accepted VA Chief’s Resignation
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has resigned amid explosive charges of mismanagement, falsification of records and systemic problems at veterans health facilities. President Barack Obama announced that he accepted Shinseki’s resignation “with considerable regret” after meeting with him on Friday morning.…
The Social Security Statement: Background, Implementation, and Recent Developments
This article provides the first comprehensive description of the substantial effort and resources involved in developing and implementing the annual earnings and benefit statement that the Social Security Administration (SSA) began mailing in 2000 to all workers aged 25 or older.…