Social Security
Marriage Rates, Birth Rates, and the Future of Social Security
The U.S. taxpayer-to-beneficiary ratio has dropped dramatically since the early days of Social Security, skidding from 42:1 in 1945 to less than 3:1 today, with projections calling for a continued decline in the years ahead. Although not the only factor…
Revisiting WEP And GPO
One of the most nagging criticisms of the U.S. Social Security program is found in the persistent outcries of unfairness from the people affected by two scorned sections of the program’s massive rulebook. Anyone following legislative activities involving Social Security…
What did people do before Social Security?
Social Security was first introduced in 1935. It has been a tremendous support for older and disabled Americans for decades. Do you ever think about how older people managed before that time? There weren’t a lot of options and often…
An Update on the “You Earned It, You Keep It Act”
H.R. 7084, titled the “You Earned It, You Keep It Act” was introduced in late January of this year by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn) and has accumulated 10 cosponsors at this point. It’s primary objective is the elimination of federal…
CPI-E Advanced in New Congressional Bill
U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) recently introduced legislation that could increase the monthly benefits paid to seniors by requiring the Social Security Administration to use a different inflation-calculation formula. His bill, titled the “Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act,” calls…
Members of American Federation of Teachers attend hearing for HR 82 ( Social Security Fairness Act)
The Windfall Eilimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) affect the Social Security benefits of some government workers who are exempt from Social Security Tax. This legislation was meant to help offset the fact that these workers are treated…
WEP-GPO “Fairness” Examined in House Ways & Means Hearing
FEDweek, a federal and military employees’ and retirees’ information source on pay and benefit issues, yesterday published a recap of last week’s House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee hearing on the perceived “fairness” or “unfairness” of Social Security’s Windfall…
The Social Security/Medicare Funding Picture in a Nutshell
Quite a bit of rhetoric is surfacing on the media airwaves about the operation and financial stability of America’s primary senior benefit programs, Social Security and Medicare. With much of the commentary dealing with the issue of the insolvency projections…
Understanding the Connection Between Social Security and Medicare
Reaching your sixties means it’s time to look ahead to your retirement years, and that means starting to take a look at what senior benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare will mean to you. It can appear to be…
Should you delay taking Social Security benefits until 70?
A person who is eligible for Social Security can claim benefits anytime between 62 and 70. If you take it early your benefit will be reduced. If you wait until 70 you will receive the maximum payment. There is a…