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Preparing for the blame game
The recent editorial on Vermont’s upcoming health care experiment proves yet again that there is no objective, unbiased journalism left in the Times Argus organization. The paper no longer makes any effort to interject the least bit of scrutiny into…
Payday lenders prey on seniors
“My name is Annette Smith. I am 69-years-old; I live in a small town outside of Sacramento, Calif., and am a long-time customer of Wells Fargo … I have been receiving Social Security as my only income for about 7…
How to get employees of small businesses to save for retirement
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AARP usually can be found on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum when it comes to retirement policy. The two Washington advocacy powerhouses have often been at loggerheads on key policy fights, such as…
UNDERSTANDING Social Security: It’s A Long, Long Wait To Get SSI, SSD
Last week I addressed the premise that the disability (SSD) and SSI programs represent “welfare” payments. I will follow up in this column by emphasizing that the process of receiving SSD and SSI benefits is, for many people, long and…
Lawmakers introduce bill to eliminate improper benefits payments to deceased
Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) introduced legislation last week that would provide government agencies with tools to improve interagency coordination to prevent fraud and improper payments to the deceased. Read more. Notice: The “Read more…” link…
Medicare premiums to remain stable in 2014
Medicare Part D premiums will average about $31 in 2014 — up from $30 for the past three years. The Part D deductible will fall from $325 to $310 in 2014. “There is continued very strong competition within the Part D plan,”…
Why Social Security Won’t Bail Out Many Detroit Workers
The bankruptcy of the city of Detroit has turned the spotlight on the fate of thousands of current and former city workers whose pensions and health benefits are now potentially at risk of disappearing. Yet many Americans don’t understand the full importance…
Here’s What Poverty Would Look Like If Social Security Didn’t Exist
The nation’s poverty crisis would be a lot worse if it wasn’t for safety net programs — particularly Social Security, a new analysis finds. If Social Security didn’t exist, about 25 million more Americans would be in poverty, according to an analysis…
The Senior Citizens League Warns 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment Flat
More than 62.6 million people who collect Social Security or benefits from other federal programs aren’t likely to see much growth in their payments next year. According to recent consumer price index (CPI) data through June, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will…
Study: Many People Getting Disability Checks Say They Could Work
According to a Social Security Administration study of disability recipients, many people receiving federal disability checks admit they are able to work, but cannot or will not find a job. The study was conducted in 2009, but the conservative Washington Examiner recently analyzed…