So how can we best use this momentum from our vaccine experience to build relationships with drug manufacturers and lower costs for consumers? TSCL is closely watching for drug price negotiation provisions to be included in legislation this year. What portion of your Social Security benefit do you spend on healthcare costs? Please take TSCL's 2021 Retirement Survey..TSCL is monitoring the negotiations closely since a shutdown could negatively impact the timely delivery of Social Security checks and Medicare reimbursements. In the days and weeks ahead, we will advocate for proposals that would keep the federal government including the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fully and responsibly funded. For progress updates, visit the Legislative News section of our website or follow TSCL on Facebook or Twitter..TSCL supports H.R. 4012 enthusiastically, and we were pleased to see two new cosponsors sign on to it this week. We will be advocating for the passage of H.R. 4012 and S. 2251 Sen. Elizabeth Warren's companion bill tirelessly in the coming months because we know that a 3.9 percent COLA would provide much-needed relief to our members and supporters next year..By U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.Republicans, so far, have been unwilling to go along with any Democratic proposals although there is still bi-partisan work going on in the Senate to try and come up with legislation to lower drug prices..Premium subsidies are actually advance federal tax credits and available only for people buying their own insurance on the insurance exchanges. You qualify if your income is less than ,960 for individuals or ,040 for a family of two. Your "modified adjusted gross income" will be used to determine your income. That includes your household's adjusted gross income plus any tax-exempt Social Security, interest and foreign income you have. When you apply, the government will access your most recent tax return to confirm the income data that you report..While Part D costs are not capped, there is a "catastrophic level" of coverage that kicks in once Part D enrollees spend ,000 of their own money out-of-pocket. Five thousand dollars is just the threshold in 201That threshold is forecast to rise to more than ,000 per year in just eight years. Even worse, the ,000 threshold is just for your covered drugs under Part D. It does not include other out-of-pocket spending for Medicare, such drugs you may receive through Medicare Part B, and all other out-of-pocket costs..By Rick Delaney.The answer depends upon whether you start your benefits before or after your full retirement age - which in 2017 is 6When you start Social Security benefits before your full retirement age, you will be subject to the Social Security earnings test. The earnings test can cause Social Security to withhold your benefits if you earn more than the annual exempted amount. In addition, your initial retirement benefit will be permanently reduced, because you started Social Security prior to your full retirement age. It pays to wait until 6Here's why:
