Latest News
House investigators: Disability judges are too lax
Social Security is approving disability benefits at strikingly high rates for people whose claims were rejected by field offices or state agencies, according to House investigators. Compounding the situation, the agency often fails to do required follow-up reviews months or…
BBB: Elder abuse can come in form of scams
The combination of Social Security income and a lifetime of savings and investment plans can put seniors on the radar of scammers. Factor in the value of their homes, often paid off by the time they reach retirement age, and…
The new retirement: It’s later now
For many Americans the concept of a traditional retirement, 30 or more years of leisure after a productive career is neither realistic nor appealing. Increased life expectancy, better health and the desire to remain active and productive into their 70s, 80s…
A snapshot of key issues in Mass. US Senate race
Republican Gabriel Gomez and Democrat Edward Markey have staked out positions on a range of issues throughout the state’s special U.S. Senate campaign, offering different views on many topics while essentially agreeing on others. Here’s a snapshot of the candidates’ positions…
Why is the federal debt so understated?
Why are the U.S. Treasury liabilities for moneys owed to the various trust funds not included in the U.S. national debt? Or, putting it another way, why is the U.S. national debt extremely understated? Read more…
Would immigration ‘amnesty’ help Social Security?
The Center for American Progress has released a report by Adriana Kugler, Robert Lynch, and Patrick Oakford arguing that legalizing undocumented immigrants will generate significant benefits for Social Security’s financing. According to SSA, about half of undocumented immigrants currently pay payroll taxes, using…
While you weren’t looking, Obama still pushing for chained CPI Social Security cuts
Much of the news in the past couple of months concerning the White House has focused on the various IRS and AP controversies, as well as Obama’s approval of NSA snooping. But don’t worry — Obama still very much wants…
Coordinating Social Security Benefits with Other Retirement Assets
Social Security provides retirement income you can’t outlive. And, in addition to your own benefit, your spouse may be eligible to receive benefits based on your earnings record in the form of spousal benefits and survivor’s benefits. So, it’s easy…
Join the Human Chain for Retirement Security
Politicians continue to press for the Chained CPI Benefit cut as a way to reduce the deficit. But the truth is Social Security has not contributed one dime to the deficit. The chained CPI is a cold, calculated benefit cut…
Gomez and Markey begin final push to Tuesday
Kicking off a final wave of campaign events, the candidates for Tuesday’s US Senate special election tried to excite voters this morning, with Democrat Edward J. Markey making his pitch to senior citizens and Republican Gabriel E. Gomez greeting voters…