Under current law noncitizens can file a claim for Social Security benefits if other qualifications are met. Currently Social Security counts all earnings toward Social Security entitlement, even for jobs worked while illegally present in the United States. Do you think any change is needed to this policy and if so what do you propose?.Medicare Part B premiums are expected to stay at 4 per month in 2018, leaving people like Barbara facing a big premium increase. The 4 premium is per month more than she paid this year, and more than what Barbara expects to get from her COLA in 201That means her Part B premium will be adjusted again to prevent reduction in her benefits. As much as that protection is appreciated, Barbara is frustrated about high Medicare premium costs after years of low or no COLA growth. "It's been 36 months since I've had any raise in my net operating Social Security, but my actual household costs continue to go up," Barbara says. "This isn't fair to retirees," she adds..If you do return to work, it is possible that your earnings could subject a portion of your Social Security benefits to taxation. If this happens, you could wind up with only a small gain, or even lose money after paying the increased tax on earnings and Social Security benefits. Before taking on work to earn extra income, calculate the tax cost. A good tax guide like J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax contains worksheets to help you do this. Tax guides can often be found in many public libraries, or visit for more information..This week, Members of Congress continued to focus on a series of fiscal 2015 appropriations bills including one that would provide funding for the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, The Senior Citizens League announced its support for a new piece of legislation, and two key bills gained cosponsors..The "Congressional Corner" reflects the views of the writer and are not necessarily those of The Senior Citizens League..Higher out-of-pocket costs: The drawback to MA plans is higher out-of-pocket costs. Where Medigap supplements pay most or almost all of your covered out-of-pocket costs, there are co-pays and deductibles for most services received through MA plans. Depending on the type of MA plan you are considering you may be required to use a narrower network of healthcare providers in order to get the lowest costs. If you are considering an HMO you will be required to use only the doctors, hospitals and providers in the HMO network, or neither the MA plan nor Medicare will reimburse your bills..Finally, some Good News.Long Term Care Ombudsmen: Find information about long term care facilities in your area, and investigations of complaints if you've encountered a problem..The Lower Drug Costs Now Act contains additional provisions to combat relentless prices increases. For example, the bill would expand Medicare Part D benefits to include dental, vision, and hearing coverage. And it would establish a new ,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs. I'm proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, because American seniors shouldn't be subjected to unfair price hikes on lifesaving medications - especially when other industrialized countries are paying lower prices for identical drugs.
