ICYMI: Defenders of Social Security Mobilize Against GOP Attack on Retirees

On the same day that U.S. millionaires stop paying into Social Security for the rest of the year, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)—who wants to slash the safety net program—was confirmed to that post by the U.S. Senate.

Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced landmark legislation yesterday to keep Social Security solvent for the next six decades — without cutting anyone’s benefits. The National Committee endorses the bill, titled the Social Security Expansion Act, introduced on the day when the average millionaire reaches the payroll tax income cap of $127,000 per year.
via Common Dreams.

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“Harwood: Retirement age?
Stivers: We need to come together. I think we need to say, “You give a little, we give a little,” and figure out how to sustain Medicare and Social Security into the future. The other thing on Medicare is we have to bend the... — **Harwood:** Retirement age?
**Stivers:** We need to come together. I think we need to say, “You give a little, we give a little,” and figure out how to sustain Medicare and Social Security into the future. The other thing on Medicare is we have to bend the cost curve on health care.
via CNBC.
**Related Reading:**
We have been keeping track of Members of Congress’ statements on wanting to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and health care in 2018.
**You can find the whole project by clicking here.**

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Lumping Social Security and Medicare together and calling them ‘entitlements’ is also telling. These are earned benefits, not entitlements, which American workers have contributed to throughout their working lives. Conservatives have long used the word 'entitlements’ to make those earned benefits seem like welfare.

via Entitled to Know.

Source: bit.ly social security medicare election seniors politics retirement retirees retirement crisis entitlements entitlement reform healthcare health care p2 older americans elderly election 2016 2016 election debate earned benefits

“The establishment is trying to pull a big one over on the public yet again. One of the designated topics for the last presidential debate goes under the heading, “debt and entitlements.” This should have people upset for several reasons.
”
Related... — The establishment is trying to pull a big one over on the public yet again. One of the designated topics for the last presidential debate goes under the heading, “debt and entitlements.” This should have people upset for several reasons.
via Truth Out.
Related Reading:
How to Talk About Social Security (& Medicare) Without Really Talking About It.
Framing benefits cuts as a way to “save” Social Security and Medicare while reducing the debt has long been the poll-tested language used to sell the American people on middle-class benefit cuts to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.

Source: bit.ly social security medicare politics seniors retirement retirees retirement crisis entitlements entitlement reform social insurance older americans p2 elderly healthcare health care election election 2016 2016 election debate

Mulvaney, who supports Social Security and Medicare reforms, told CNBC ‘we’re working on’ persuading Trump to embrace entitlement reform, including changes to Social Security Disability Insurance.

via The Hill.

Enough About the Wall. What About My Retirement?

The Trump administration is in full gear—and, one hopes, gearing up to grapple with America’s retirement crisis.

Women are especially vulnerable. Almost half of unmarried elderly women getting Social Security benefits in 2013 counted on them for 90 percent or more of their income, according to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, an advocacy group. That is a dangerous dependency.
Few would say they have a clear read on President Trump’s plans for these massive programs. (A White House representative said she would look into the matter.)
via Bloomberg.

Behind the Headlines

Join us now for Behind the Headlines!

Did you miss Behind the Headlines earlier today?

We discussed:

Medicare for All
Rep. Dave Brat’s comments on Social Security
Graham-Cassidy health care legislation

Click here to watch the segment.

Source: bit.ly politics social security medicare medicare for all health care healthcare p2 retirement retirees retirement crisis entitlements entitlement reform older americans elderly dave brat

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Democrats Listening to Calls to Strengthen & Expand Social Security, Medicare

Don’t Touch Our Social Security, Medicare

According to the newly released AARP-Politico poll findings, the older voters identified key issues that will influence how they will cast their vote in November at the polls. The respondents viewed health care (81 percent) the most important campaign issue followed by Social Security (80 percent) and Medicare (76 percent) and prescription drugs (65 percent). But, a strong majority (74 percent) support preserving the state’s Medicaid expansion, say the pollsters.

“With less than 50 days to go before Election Day, candidates in Ohio would be wise to listen to the state’s most powerful voting group: 50-plus voters,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer in a statement releasing the poll’s findings. “History shows older voters turn out in force in every election, and AARP is making sure they are energized and know where candidates stand on the issues.”
via Go Local Prov.

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Ryan's Siren Song of Spring: Cut "Entitlements"

Nevertheless, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other budget hawks prefer to perpetuate the “entitlement” myth. This week, Ryan said that fiscal responsibility means “reforming our entitlement programs.” “Reforming” is code for undermining Social Security and privatizing Medicare, two politically unpopular ideas that nonetheless seem to drive Ryan’s agenda. Never mind that Social Security and Medicare Part A are funded by workers’ payroll contributions and don’t contribute a penny to the deficit.

More on this issue via Entitled to Know.

Source: bit.ly politics entitlements earned benefits social security medicare healthcare health care p2 older americans elderly retirement retirees retirement crisis entitlement reform seniors social insurance

money.cnn.com

Health care will cost you $260,000 in retirement

It's tough to know how much you need to save for retirement, but this estimate can help.

Katie Lobosco

This year most people with Medicare paid $105 a month – or $1,260 a year – for Part B premiums, and that could go up by $2 a month next year, according to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. The price is tied to inflation, and could be more for new retirees and high-income beneficiaries.
via CNN.

NCPSSM — ICYMI: Defenders of Social Security Mobilize...

See, that’s what the app is perfect for.