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Medicaid Changes Raising TSCL Concerns For Low-Income Seniors.An individual's earnings are the basis for how the Social Security Administration calculates the initial retirement benefit. The benefit formula uses the 35 years of highest earnings to determine the average monthly wage. Low earnings and years of no earnings in one's earnings record, decreases the average monthly wage used to determine the monthly benefit. Initial benefits are pulled down with it. To boost benefits, some women today are working much longer than they anticipated to fill those gaps in their earnings records..Will income thresholds that subject Social Security benefits to taxation be adjusted so that fewer beneficiaries will be subject to taxes on their Social Security in the future?.Although the Social Security trust fund is often reported as being solvent until 2033, there are two separate trust funds, each with separate insolvency dates. The trust fund for the disability insurance program is in the biggest financial trouble and is estimated to become completely exhausted in 2016 or by 2017[1]. "With 2016 being a major presidential election year, either the next Congress will need to enact program changes next year, or risk running out the clock and triggering across the board benefit cuts," Cates points out..Some lawmakers are advocating for paid leave legislation that would require new parents to trade their future Social Security retirement benefits for twelve weeks of parental leave. This would undermine the mission of the Social Security program, increase its insolvency, and permanently cut the retirement benefits of those who take paid leave. Do you think this is a responsible proposal?.During recent healthcare reform hearings, TSCL submitted a statement to the Senate HELP Committee expressing support for an emergency COLA in 20The COLA could be set high enough to cover the rise in Medicare Part B and the average rise in Part D premiums. Doing so would help prevent reductions in seniors' benefits, and a Medicare notch in premiums, and provide protection from benefits taking a big hit in buying power. TSCL believes that H.R. 3557 as introduced by Representative Walter Jones would do just that..Lawmakers Advance Temporary Funding Bill.Your benefits would drop further as rising Medicare costs take a bigger portion of Social Security payments. This is already occurring even under current law, but the problem would be accelerated if Social Security benefits grow more slowly, and if Medicare cuts make seniors pay more for their healthcare..Recently, I received my letter from Social Security telling me that I've reached my full retirement age and I can start unreduced benefits. The letter itself devotes a mere two sentences to the most valuable thing everyone needs to know - that Social Security benefits increase by 8% for each year one delays benefits up to age 70. Eight percent per year is an incredible guaranteed rate of return that would be very difficult to achieve almost any other way.