Yuri GelfandWork on Funding Bill Continues.While some view Social Security's retirement program as relatively easy to reform, Social Security's disability program is a very complex operation which has been notoriously difficult to change. Past efforts to reform the disability program have led to vast administrative difficulties as well as public outcries. On the other hand, the retirement program's reform efforts have faced fewer administrative difficulties. Part of the problem is determining what constitutes a disability. For that reason, and others, reform of the retirement program is discussed on Capitol Hill more often, while reform of the disability program seems to fly under the radar..Since 2009 the COLA was zero in 2010, 2011, and 2016, and only 0.3 percent in 201Since 2010, the COLA has averaged just 1.2 percent, compared to the prior decade, 2000 through 2009, when the COLA averaged 4 percent. … Continued
Racial Equity And Health Policy Issue Brief Covid 19 Cases And Deaths By Race Ethnicity Current Data And Changes Over Time"The Earnings Suspense File isn't getting enough attention from Congress," says TSCL Chairman, Ed Cates. "Wages are an important indicator of the extra costs associated with immigration reform," Cates notes. Wage records are used to determine both the number of quarters worked to qualify for Social Security, and to calculate the initial benefit. The wages represented by the Earnings Suspense File would potentially form a portion of Social Security benefits for undocumented workers who later gain legal status..That's a common misconception. According to estimates from the Social Security Administration's Chief Actuary, three-quarters of "other-than-legal" immigrants have payroll taxes withheld..Surprise! The new healthcare law requires just that. A provision, added by Senator Charles Grassley, requires Members of Congress and their staff to get their health insurance through new health insurance exchanges starting in 201The provision is stirring up lawmaker worry on Capitol Hill over whether the federal government will continue to pay part of their premiums, or leave them to cover 100% of the cost. Through the end of 2013, Members of Congress get their insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Under FEHBP the government's share of premiums is about 75% of premium costs. … Continued