We already knew Social Security benefits were rising 2.5% due to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). We now know Medicare premiums will increase, as well, cutting into the increase for most recipients. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the part B premium for most recipients will increase by $10.30 from $174.70…
Just when the Social Security Agency finally had a progressive, engaged commissioner in former mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, he’s gone. Effective November 29th Martin O’Malley is resigning to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Among other positive changes made during O’Malley’s all too brief tenure as commissioner was modification of…
Summer 2021 Newsletter STILL STANDING…AND PRACTICING I published the first issue of Social Security & You in Spring of 1993. Some years I’ve published more issues than others. The most recent issue was dated Spring 2019: over 2 years ago. The world was a much different place then. Especially for me. Read the full newsletter…
Spring 2019 Newsletter An Opioid Story I’ve changed his name. Let’s call him Gerald. He was a laborer. And by that I don’t mean that he just did physical work. He was a card-carrying member the Labor’s Union local. And that meant a lot to him. I represented him for Social Security disability and Michigan…
Among the ideas floated to help solve the pending insolvency of Social Security are raising the eligibility age for full benefits and changes in the cost of living formulas. A survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research of persons over the age of 50 found that 62% opposed changes in the COLA formula compared to 21% who were in support. 58% opposed gradually raising full retirement age while 29% supported the change.
However, 61% of those surveyed favored raising the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes while only 25% were opposed. For 2014 the cap is $113,700. Income above that level is only subject to the Medicare tax.
And the vote is much closer on reducing benefits for those with higher incomes. 41% are in favor while 44% are opposed.