Alexandria, VA Seniors got a modest 3.6% boost in their Social Security benefit this year. But whether it's making a difference in the bank balances of the more than 39.5 million seniors aged 65 and older who get Medicare is another story. The Senior Citizens League, one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups, is hoping to learn the answer to this question. TSCL recently launched its annual "Senior Survey" to find out how rising Medicare and other costs are impacting seniors' incomes and.At Monday's press conference, all six Trustees commented on the need for Congress to make some changes to both programs to ensure their financial stability. The Senior Citizens League agrees that both programs must be returned to solvency to ensure that future retirees receive the security they deserve. However, we firmly believe that any changes to either program should be phased in gradually and should not affect those seniors nearing or currently in retirement..The Obama Administration along with many private corporations like Hewlett-Packard and Walgreens announced several other new projects that will aim to improve the lives of seniors at Monday's conference. For more information, check out the White House's Fact Sheet that summarizes each one..According to the Congressional Research Service, for an age 65 retiree with average wages, a maximum benefit disparity of 10% would have arisen between the highest benefit under the old rules and the lowest benefit under the new rules if the 1977 assumptions had materialized. Under the economic conditions that actually arose, the disparity was 25%-two and one half times greater..Why Did Dad Get a Bill for ,944 After Hospitalization for COVID-19?.As part of efforts to strengthen the Social Security system, Congress included the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset in the Social Security Act of 198While intentions were noble, these changes did little to protect the Social Security system. Instead, they unjustly penalized millions of public sector employees..On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced sweeping action that would allow up to 4.9 million undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years to apply for protection from deportation, and to work legally in this country - at least temporarily. Legal work authorization means the government would issue valid Social Security numbers to those who qualify for the program..More Americans are spending more years in retirement, but have little or no retirement savings. Fewer employers are offering retirement plans and participation from workers is low among those who do. According to a study by the Schwartz Center for Economic Analysis at the New School, the median net worth among households near retirement show that only about a quarter can expect an adequate cash income stream from their retirement savings..Because it means new legislation to reduce the costs of prescription drugs is not likely to be passed this year and will have to await the start of the next Congress in January of 202In addition, as we've explained in the last couple of updates, the executive announcements the President issued regarding prescription drugs are not clear about what drugs they cover and even if things get clarified it is highly unlikely seniors will see a reduction in drug prices this year. And, of course, the major drug companies are strongly opposed to orders and are fighting to change them.
