Latest News
Compensation Climbing Thanks to Surging Benefits Costs
Private employers are boosting their workers’ compensation at the fastest quarterly pace since before the recession. But the gain was driven disproportionately by benefits, a new Labor Department report showed Wednesday. U.S. firms in December spent an average of $29.63 per hour worked…
Wheeler, Merkley tout Social Security’s importance
Without Social Security, 40 percent of Oregon’s retirees would slide into poverty because they didn’t save enough for retirement, state Treasurer Ted Wheeler told a Senate panel Thursday. The popular federal retirement program plays a key role in keeping the poverty…
Disabled Americans fighting for the right to save more money
Americans with disabilities are fighting for the right to save money without getting their government benefits cut off. In order to qualify for government benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicaid payments, recipients typically must have no more than $2,000…
Obama retreats on Medicare Part D changes
The White House, after a furious pushback from conservatives and seniors, dumped one of its efforts to undermine the most market-oriented aspect of Medicare. The Wall Street Journal reports, “The Obama administration said Monday that it would scrap much of a proposed plan…
Retirement accounts for the masses might help ease the aging crunch
During the State of Union address on Jan. 28, President Barack Obama challenged Congress to “do more to help Americans save for retirement.” His words surrounding his introduction of the “ myRA “ retirement plan suggested that it could be…
David Jolly Wins House Seat In State’s 13th District
Republican David Jolly has won the special election to fill the empty congressional seat in Florida’s 13th congressional district, the Associated Press reports, defeating Democratic rival Alex Sink. The election was held Tuesday to fill the seat left vacant by longtime Rep. Bill…
Video Technology Restores Island Social Security Services
Following several years of limited service, the Social Security Administration will resume visits to the Vineyard, at least virtually. The federal agency will install a video teleconference terminal at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, Cong. William Keating said Monday. The…
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Abandons Certain Controversial Provisions in its Proposed Medicare Part D Rule
Following an onslaught of criticism, CMS told Congress today that it will not move forward with certain controversial provisions of its proposed rule on the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug program. In a letter to House Ways and Means…
Upcoming Disability Awareness week
In the U.S. there are approximately 707,000 students with disabilities enrolled into higher education. The College at Brockport is participating in the National Disability Awareness Week in order to help bring understanding and awareness to the community. Disability Awareness Week…
The CNBC ’87 percenters’ understand the value of saving for retirement
There is no way to sugarcoat this: The savings rate in this country is dismal. In fact, Americans have done such a lousy job of saving for retirement that a majority of income in their golden years will have to come…