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For each of the reasons above, TSCL sincerely hopes that Congress will allow the Social Security payroll tax cut to expire at the end of this year. Extending it for a third time would be irresponsible, and we fear that it could jeopardize the program's ability to fully pay Social Security benefits in the future. To learn more about the tax cut and other issues affecting Social Security, visit our website..The CBO estimated last November that if lawmakers wished to raise the amount of covered earnings subject to the payroll tax to 90 percent of covered earnings, then the taxable maximum would need to be set at 6,400 in 2017 and to rise to 5,000 by 202"Legislation was introduced in December that would impose deep benefit cuts," Johnson notes, "but had no provisions to provide new revenues. " "Lifting the taxable maximum cap would provide new revenues to Social Security and it could also provide a modest boost to Social Security benefits, and more adequate COLAs to all people when they retire," Johnson points out. "Our lawmakers should not be allowed to hide this option under the rug," she says. "Raising the payroll taxable maximum is the means of providing greater retirement security and long - term program solvency, " Johnson says. "We can save Social Security without the deep cuts.".In contrast, the Social Security benefits of American workers, are not guaranteed by law. In the Supreme Court decision, Fleming vs. Nestor, the court found that Congress can make adjustments when conditions of the Social Security systems demand and that American workers who have paid their employment taxes have no legal recourse to any of the money deposited in the Social Security Trust Fund..Fighting for legislation to lower the costs of prescription drugs is one of TSCL's very top priorities this year and we will keep you informed as things progress..The Congressional Budget Office estimates that there would be costs both to Social Security and Medicare, primarily for disability benefits starting as early as 2017, assuming enactment into law this year. The CBO said, however, that the new TSCL-supported amendment would save the programs about billion over the first 20 years, with the savings growing greater in the future..This is exactly the wrong approach. Social Security is about economics, but it is also about our values. It's about who we are as a people, and what kind of country we are determined to build. Every person who represents you in Washington should be talking about protecting and expanding Social Security not cutting it..According to the study, the 250 top selling drugs, each with one manufacturer and no competitive products on the market, account for 60% of net total Medicare Part D spending. The top 50 selling drugs, also with one manufacturer each and no competitors, account for 80% of total Medicare Part B spending..Doug Osborne served in the US Air Force for 20 years. After retiring, he continued his career in the technology field using the knowledge gained during his enlistment. Doug is a lifetime member of TREThe Enlisted Association and has served on multiple committees, such as; Awards, IT, and the 5-year plan. He routinely donates his time, effort and money to the missions of TREA and The Senior Citizens League and encourages using technology to a greater degree. As the Legislative Liaison for TSCL's Board of Directors, he helps to educate seniors on various issues that strike close to home. He meets quarterly with Members of Congress and/or their staff to ensure they are aware of the concerns of TSCL supporters in their specific districts and to encourage them to support legislation that benefits senior citizens. Doug is also involved with The American Legion and, when able, Doug supports Team Rubicon on deployments. He lives in Parker, Colorado with his wife, Debbie..Virtually all low-income programs such as food stamps, rental assistance and Medicare Extra Help, come with complex eligibility rules and income restrictions that are tied to a percentage of the federal poverty level, such as 100%, 135% or 150%. If your income is right on the borderline, and you get a high COLA boost, that could potentially cause you to see trims to benefits from programs that have income restrictions. Some individuals might lose access to certain low-income benefits altogether because the COLA boosts their income over the limit.