If signed into law, S. 1904 would strengthen Social Security benefits by enacting an across-the-board benefit increase, adopting the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers, increasing the minimum Social Security benefit to 125 percent of the poverty line, and increasing the threshold on the taxation of Social Security benefits. It would also strengthen the solvency of the trust funds by applying the payroll tax to income over 0,000, increasing the payroll tax rate by 0.05 percent annually until it reaches 7.65 percent, and reallocating funds to the Disability Insurance trust fund..Well, to our surprise, it was announced last Friday that House and Senate committee leaders have struck a deal on a bipartisan fix for the problem..Introduced by Reps. Linda Sanchez and Tom Reed, the bill would provide up to ,000 in a family caregiver tax credit. Expenses like groceries, modifications to a home, transportation to a doctors' visits, or hiring someone to look after an elderly patient or disabled child would qualify for the credit. "A caregiving credit would be a much needed help," says Susan. "It would benefit me and benefit a lot of other older families that I work with," she says..This week, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spoke favorably about Tavenner on the Senate floor. Sen. Orrin Hatch, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, urged his colleagues to vote for her, stating: "She's dedicated. She has the ability, and I believe that she will do a great job." In addition, Sen. Tim Kaine, who served as Tavenner's boss as the former Governor of Virginia, spoke highly of her cost-cutting skills. He said, "There was no one in my cabinet that was more creative and passionate about achieving savings without sacrificing patient care.".Increasing funding for Continuing Disability Reviews, which are conducted periodically to ensure that disabled enrollees still qualify for benefits. CDRs return to the program for every invested..Social Security benefits have lost 33 percent of buying power since 2000, according to the latest Social Security Loss of Buying Power Study released today by The Senior Citizens League. "One would think that a higher cost-of-living adjustment in 2019, combined with relatively low inflation, would lead to an improvement of buying power in Social Security benefits," says study author Mary Johnson, a Social Security policy analyst for the League. "But any improvement was offset by spiking costs of essentials, including out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs," Johnson says..Representative John Larson introduced H.R. 860 on January 30, 201It has since been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means..Alexandria, VMore than 90 percent of older Americans are likely to be making a secret Christmas wish for the New Year, says The Senior Citizens League. "That's to make ends meet," says TSCL Chairman, Ed Cates. A national survey conducted by TSCL earlier this year found that 98 percent of Social Security recipients participating reported the annual cost-of-living adjustment had increased their Social Security benefits by less than a month in 2014, but 92 percent said their monthly expenses had increased by more than "That disparity between COLAs and rising costs is the 'Grinch that's stealing Christmas' for millions of older Americans this year," Cates says..Comparison shop &nash; You can often save by getting prescription medicines, flea and tick products, and heartworm preventatives through pet catalogs and internet discounters.
