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 Entitled to Know.
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#politics #bernie sanders #social security #retirement #retirees #entitlements #entitlement reform #p2 #seniors #retirement crisis #older americans #elderly #payroll tax cap #payroll tax #peter defazioWhen a candidate promises to “save these programs for future generations” by raising the retirement age, raising the Medicare eligibility age, privatizing Social Security, changing the COLA formula and means-testing Social Security while exempting near retirees what they’re actually saying is: “We know seniors vote so we’ll protect them now and slash future benefits for their children and grandchildren instead.
Scores of Democrats are calling on President Obama to champion an expansion of Social Security benefits for millions of seniors nationwide.
In a letter to be delivered to the White House Monday, the lawmakers say evolving trends surrounding employer retirement packages have put a financial squeeze on the nation’s retirees. They want the president to fill the gap by expanding Social Security.
via The Hill.
We agree. Congress needs to BOOST Social Security benefits for all working Americans. With individuals saving less and less for retirement, it’s important we expand benefits.
America’s Jump From Economic Crisis to Retirement Crisis.
Petition to the Leadership of the Congress of the United States: Boost Social Security Benefits NOW.
Asked Monday if the Trump administration would address “entitlement reform,” White House chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow said it will “probably” look at “larger entitlements” next year. Entitlement reform generally refers to changes or cuts to large government social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or food stamps.
via CNBC.
Related Reading:
Social Security is indispensable for many of our nation’s retirees, who depend on the program for retirement security. But for the 65 million people on Social Security, there will be no annual raise in their benefits in 2016.
via NJ.com.
No COLA Increase for Millions of Seniors.
No Social Security COLA Increase + Massive Medicare Hike for Millions.
Some in Washington talk about a need for “entitlement reform.” That translates to possible cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid — or all three. One crucial element should not be missed: These safety net programs work in tandem. Changes to one affect another. Just-released data show this is particularly true for older Americans, whose financial and health security depend on these programs working in concert.
A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation lays bare this interdependence. Nearly three-quarters of retirees see little to no annual increase in their Social Security income after they pay their Medicare hospital and drug premiums.
Read more from this article via The Hill.
Seniors have earned their benefits and many don’t have much else to live on. For more than one-third of retirement beneficiaries, Social Security constitutes at least 90 percent of income. Half of people aged 65 to 74 have no retirement savings. Without Social Security, almost half of the elderly would live in poverty.
Max Ritchman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare: “America’s seniors understand all too well that our nation faces a retirement crisis and improving Social Security benefits is vital to keeping millions from poverty. Rep. Linda Sanchez’s ‘Strengthening Social Security Act’ makes several important improvements for seniors by: phasing out the payroll tax cap so that the wealthy pay their fair share, creating a Cost of Living adjustment for the elderly and boosting benefits for all retirees including widows/widowers. NCPSSM strongly supports this legislation and applauds Congresswoman Sanchez for doing the right thing for America’s seniors and their families.”
Rather than cut benefits or hike the retirement age, this proposal would increase benefits across the board. It would provide a better cost-of-living adjustment that would reflect the true cost seniors incur, such as higher medical expenses.
The political right has predictably pounced on the recently-released Social Security Trustees report to call for “entitlement reform” – code for cutting the program. Once again, they are using projections about Social Security’s long-term finances to justify raising the retirement age, reducing COLAs, and cutting benefits. This should not come as a surprise. In the wake of the Trump/GOP tax giveaway to billionaires and big corporations, prominent Republicans all but said that future retirees would be asked to pay the price.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935. Regular monthly payments to retirees began in 1940 and have continued ever since. But there have been several important adjustments to the program, including changes in the retirement age and increases in benefits to keep up with inflation. Here’s how the Social Security program has changed over 80 years…
via US News.
