Unfortunately, the two other changes that took effect last month will not affect seniors as positively. Young retirees will be hit with an increase in the threshold for the itemized deductions of medical expenses. Those under the age of sixty-five will not be able to deduct unreimbursed medical expenses unless they account for at least 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Those over the age of sixty-five may continue using the 7.5 percent threshold until 2017; however, all seniors should beware that this tax provision may be modified or even eliminated as lawmakers continue to search for ways to reduce the deficit..The amount of money that the federal government owes to its creditors - including the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds - is now estimated to be as big as the entire U.S. economy. Economists warn that the situation can't continue without causing more economic crisis..In touting the Executive Actions, President Obama said that the actions would require undocumented immigrants eligible for relief to start paying "their fair share of taxes" in exchange for permission to work in the U.S. But TSCL believes that the Administration is overestimating what the government would receive in new tax revenues, because many illegal immigrants already pay into the system..And drug list prices continue to increase every year. As health insurers and employers pay more, they often pass those costs to consumers in the form of higher premiums, deductibles, and copayments..Women also tend to take their benefits sooner than men - before reaching the age for full un-reduced retirement benefits. When retiring before full retirement age, benefits are permanently reduced by up to 25% to 30%, depending on age..Emergency legislation passed earlier this year required health insurers, including those participating in Medicare, to cover both the coronavirus test, and associated care for COVID-19 without cost sharing. But it's becoming clear that patients may still be vulnerable to "surprise" medical bills for costs they thought would be covered. We hope that your dad is not another such case..This week, Senator John McCain introduced the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, which would allow individuals to import prescription drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada. Upon introducing the bill, Senator McCain stated: "This legislation would allow individuals to safely import prescription drugs into the United States from our neighbors to the north, spur much-needed competition in the pharmaceutical market, and save individual Americans up to hundreds of dollars a year." TSCL supports S. 122 enthusiastically, and we look forward to helping build support for it this year..You can use the Social Security Administration's earnings test calculator to see how earnings could affect your benefit payments..On Wednesday, the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee held a hearing titled "Lacking a Leader: Challenges Facing the SSA after over Five Years of Acting Commissioners." The Social Security Administration has been without a Senate-confirmed commissioner for over five years, which means it has not had a leader with the legal authority to make long-term decisions for the future of the agency.
