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Yes. Social Security provides a variety of benefits to people who have not paid into the system. If one meets certain eligibility criteria, one can be eligible for benefits based on another person's account. Here are some examples:.Social Security is one of the foundations of our nation and it is based on the principle that if you work hard and play by the rules you will have the stability and security of guaranteed income in your older years. For 75 years, Social Security has been a critical safety net for our nation's seniors and it should be preserved for generations to come. For these reasons, I will keep fighting to provide an accurate measure of inflation for our senior citizens and to strengthen the program..The good news is that key members of Congress now say they will push for surprise billing legislation to be part of the next bill that deals with the coronavirus emergency..For more information about the Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act or to view a list of bills endorsed by The Senior Citizens League in the 116th Congress, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website..This week, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports on the financial standing of the two programs. In addition, the Supreme Court announced its decision on the immigration orders President Obama released back in 2014..Medical: Medicare recently reported the lowest growth in healthcare costs on record based on spending through 20But that's not the case for seniors. In fact, since 2000, Medicare Part B costs rose as fast as the cost of gasoline. Seniors will receive notification this month of their Medicare Part B premium for 201It's also important to check your Part D drug coverage. Medicare Part D's infamous drug coverage gap, aka the "doughnut hole," is slowly closing a widely touted benefit of the 2010 healthcare law. Several Part D costs, like the "standard" deductible, and the out-of-pocket costs thresholds, will be lower in 201But for the first time since Part D started, the initial coverage amount, the amount all seniors use when they fill a prescription, will be less generous by 0. That means you may hit the doughnut hole coverage gap sooner.."The Senior Citizens League Fears New Immigration Policy Eases Way To Social Security for Some".Are Cuts The Only Way to Reduce the Deficit?.Here are three things you can start doing right now to lower your Medicare costs

Blog Voting By Mail And More In The March Canvass

Under current law, Social Security beneficiaries whose total income exceeds specific thresholds are required to claim a portion of their Social Security benefits as taxable income. Depending on income, as much as 50% to 85% of Social Security benefits could be taxable. A bulletin from the Social Security Administration estimates that the median share of benefits owed as tax for most retirees would be far less than that, however, remaining close to 12% over the period 2020 to 2050..Sen. Enzi, one of the leading negotiators, said in a statement: "Congress is poised to approve a 10-year balanced budget for the first time since 2001, which represents an important step in confronting the nation's chronic overspending. This will help change the way we do business here in Washington to make the government live within its means just like hardworking families.".Unlike the rest of our tax system, which is progressive, meaning the lower the income, the lower the tax rate that people must pay - Social Security payroll taxes are regressive. The first dollar of earnings is taxed for Social Security, and all workers pay 6.2% tax on earnings - an amount that is matched by employers - but only on the first 8,500 in earnings. But because of the taxable maximum cap, the highest paid workers, like CEOs of major corporations who receive millions in wages and even Member of Congress, are pocketing a huge tax break, 6.2% of every dollar earned over 8,500. … Continued

Health Reform Issue Brief How Are Hospitals Faring Under The Affordable Care Act Early Experiences From Ascension Health

COLA Fairness - TSCL strongly believes that the Social Security cost-of-living-adjustment that seniors are currently receiving does not accurately reflect how they must spend their money. Our studies and surveys indicate that the current COLA is growing too slowly and does not accurately measure inflation experienced by seniors. The COLA is based on a consumer price index that reflects how young urban workers tend to spend their money. Older Americans spend a disproportionate share of their household budget on health care. Since health care costs continue to rise so quickly and since most health care spending cannot be substituted out for something cheaper TSCL believes that seniors would be better served if their COLA was based upon a consumer price index for elderly consumers, the CPI-E. Current COLA efforts.In order to cover shortfalls - in 2021, and every year thereafter - the Social Security Trust Fund will liquidate the special issue bonds it holds in order to pay scheduled benefits until the program becomes insolvent. According to the Social Security Trustees in 2020, without Congressional action, the combined Social Security Trust Fund will become insolvent around 2034, a little more than ten years from now. At the time of insolvency, Social Security will only receive enough revenues to pay about 77% of benefits. In other words, Congressional inaction could result in an automatic benefit cut of about 23%..This week, lawmakers in the House passed legislation to repeal the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board, and The Senior Citizens League announced its support for one new piece of legislation. … Continued