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Nation’s debt has nearly reached its $16.7 trillion ceiling
With the Syrian crisis at least temporarily off the federal government’s front burner, Congress is turning its attention back to fiscal issues — most critically, the looming fight over raising the ceiling on federal debt. In Congress, the issue now has become…
Eight in Ten U.S. Households Pay Social Security and Medicare Taxes
While relatively few low-income people pay federal income tax, a large and growing share owe Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes, according to new estimates by the Tax Policy Center. As a result, while about 43 percent of all households will pay no federal…
The special issues of LGBT seniors
The Social Security Administration in August began processing claims for benefits for those in same-sex marriages, the latest in a chain of federal agency responses to the Defense of Marriage Act court decision. While this is a big step forward…
Chained CPI will financially harm seniors
A flawed policy initiative called the Chained CPI is gaining steam in Washington budget talks that would shortchange Nebraskans who receive federal benefits such as Social Security and federal annuities by lowballing their annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Chained CPI supporters…
A responsible fiscal agenda for Washington
Congress’s return to Washington on September 9 will launch a renewed debate about the nation’s fiscal future. We don’t know what the outcome will be, but we do know what’s at stake. Reporters and editors often liken policy debates to a…
Will Americans continue to work longer?
As a strong proponent of working longer, I have been delighted to see the increase in the labor-force participation of men age 60 to 74 in recent years. I, and other researchers, attribute this pattern to a host of factors,…
Advantages, disadvantages of veteran health benefits
Many veterans will find themselves in the enviable position of having health benefits from both Veteran Affairs and Medicare. There are a number of advantages as well as some pitfalls that you should be aware of. As an example, your VA covers…
In the aftermath of disaster, Social Security can help
For some, recent years have been made difficult by natural disasters. Fatal tornadoes in Oklahoma. Massive wildfires and strong earthquakes in Colorado and California. Landslides in Washington. Flooding in Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Hail storms in Tennessee. Hurricane Sandy…
New bill attempts SSDI reform for the terminally ill
Facing a terminal illness is among the most difficult experiences a person may have to confront. Under existing law, there is a five-month waiting period before an individual can receive SSDI benefits, which provides money for basic costs for disabled people.…
Harmful cuts to Social Security break promises
Harmful cuts to Social Security and veterans’ benefits break the promises to seniors and future generations. What is CCPI? The Chained consumer Price Index would cut Social Security and veterans’ benefits an estimated $127 billion over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, the…