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Same-Sex Couples Could More Easily Claim Federal Benefits Under This Democratic Bill
Senate Democrats are looking to expand the ability of same-sex couples to gain access to Social Security benefits. Social Security allows spouses to claim benefits once they turn 62 years old, even if they never worked. Under current law, spouses in…
Social Security Benefits: When Are They Taxable?
Social Security is a key income source in retirement, but many people are appalled to find out that their benefits can be subject to tax. How much can you earn before your Social Security benefits will become taxable? Read more……
Social Security to end decades-old letter service
The federal agency best known for paying retirement benefits is shutting down a curious side business it began nearly 70 years ago: helping people connect with long-lost relatives. Since the end of World War II, the Social Security Administration has offered…
Catching Social Security Disability Fraudsters in the Act
The Social Security disability program is meant to be a lifeline for the severely disabled, but shameless con-artists are increasingly seeing it as a way to make easy money, thinking that no one is watching. The Office of the Inspector General…
Murray bill would force Social Security to pay same-sex spouses survivor benefits
Nearly a year ago, the nation’s highest court told the federal government that it could no longer withhold marriage benefits from tens of thousands of same-sex married couples. But that landmark Supreme Court decision made little difference in the lives of…
What Baby Boomers’ Retirement Means For the U.S. Economy
For decades, the retirement of the baby boom generation has been a looming economic threat. Now, it’s no longer looming — it’s here. Every month, more than a quarter-million Americans turn 65. That’s a trend with profound economic consequences. Simply…
Social Security pivotal in retirement income
How important is Social Security to retirement income? Social Security has a pivotal role in economic security for those at least age 65 although it was never intended to provide complete retirement income. The range is wide but, on average, SSA…
Are We Missing a Chance to Keep Health Costs Low?
During the past six months, spending on healthcare in the United States has accelerated substantially, new data on gross domestic product suggest. Naturally, that’s led to some breathless commentary suggesting the era of low health-cost growth we’ve been enjoying for…
Social Security Is Important to American Indians and Alaska Natives
Social Security is neutral with respect to race or ethnicity – individuals with identical earnings histories are treated the same in terms of benefits. This Fact Sheet is provided by the Social Security Administration to highlight how American Indians and…
Scrapping the Social Security payroll tax cap
Late month, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced plans to introduce a bill to increase the annual cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security. He proposed to pay for it by raising the Social Security payroll tax rate of the wealthiest Americans —…