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I get my Medicare health plan under my wife's company insurance. My wife is not on Medicare yet, she also gets her health insurance through her former employer. We are both retired and live on a fixed income. When does she need to enroll in Medicare?.Want to join the effort for an Emergency COLA? Sign a petition today!.If you've been to a pharmacy in recent years, you've no doubt noticed how drug costs are soaring - and you've probably felt the immense financial pressure of rising prices. You've also probably thought about how it is that consumers are burdened with the pain of these higher costs while the drug industry simultaneously rakes in massive profits with little to no accountability..Fifty-six percent of participants in a national survey by The Senior Citizens League say they pay taxes on their Social Security benefits. "The tax on Social Security income takes new retirees by surprise," says TSCL Chairman Ed Cates. "This is one retirement expense that must be carefully planned for. The government today taxes the Social Security benefits of a majority of older adults, even people with very modest middle incomes," he notes.."Many food companies decrease the size of their containers, while keeping the same price," Joe said in his comments about price increases that he's observed. "Cost increases get masked when container sizes shrink." For example, after last year's hurricanes, a major orange shortage nationwide led to shrinking orange juice bottles. "Brands that originally sold in 64 oz containers, downsized to 59 oz and then to 52 oz - a 20 percent reduction in what our orange juice money buys today," Joe says..Major Findings.Not having enough money for retirement is a top concern shared by 64% of Americans in a recent Gallup poll, and the number is growing. Six-in-ten people worry about unexpected medical costs, and more than half worry about their ability to maintain their standard of living. No group feels these worries more acutely than retirees or people nearing retirement.."Social Security Sees Slowdown in Retiree Rolls Amid COVID Deaths," Alexandre Tanzi, Bloomberg News, May 3, 202"U.S. Life Expectancy Drops A Year In Pandemic, Most Since WWII," Marilynn Marchione, Associated Press, February 17, 2021..When the Senate does return on Sept. 8 the first thing on its agenda will be to continue confirmation hearings on President Trump's nominations of judges to the federal judiciary. But the Senate has yet to pass one funding bill for the federal government for FY 2021 which begins Oct. 1.

Fiscal Policy State Actions On Coronavirus Relief Funds

The issue of PBM transparency is not a hyper-partisan issue - and that was clear when the U.S. House passed our bill by an overwhelming margin of 403 to 0. That vote should signal just how common high drug prices are in districts across the country, and I'm encouraged by Democrats and Republicans both recognizing the pressing need for our legislation..If you are under age 65 and uninsured, be sure to claim the correct income if you purchase health insurance through or a state health insurance exchange. When you purchase health insurance through the federal or a state health insurance exchange, you may qualify for a subsidy that helps lower the costs of your premiums. In reality that subsidy is an advance tax credit based on income. If you received a subsidy in 2014, and your income is higher than you estimated, you could wind up having to pay some or even all of it back at tax time. If your income has gone up, contact or your state insurance exchange to update your information. Coverage for 2014 ends December 31, 201Open enrollment for 2015 is now underway and runs through February 15, 2015..On Wednesday, TSCL announced its support for the Strengthening Social Security Act. Sen. Tom Harkin introduced the bill in the Senate, and Reps. Linda Sanchez and Rush Holt introduced the companion in the House. If signed into law, the bill would reform the Social Security program in three ways: it would adjust the benefit formula, resulting in more generous monthly benefits; it would adopt a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, resulting in more accurate cost-of-living adjustments; and it would lift the cap on income subject to the payroll tax. According to Rep. Sanchez, these three changes would preserve the Social Security Trust Fund through 2049, reducing the seventy-five year actuarial deficit by approximately 50 percent. … Continued

Policy Watch Poll Examines The Impact Of Coronavirus On Life In America

What can I do?.Last week Politico.com reported that major legislation meant to lower prescription drug prices has run into unexpected trouble in the House of Representatives..On Wednesday, TSCL announced its support for the Strengthening Social Security Act. Sen. Tom Harkin introduced the bill in the Senate, and Reps. Linda Sanchez and Rush Holt introduced the companion in the House. If signed into law, the bill would reform the Social Security program in three ways: it would adjust the benefit formula, resulting in more generous monthly benefits; it would adopt a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, resulting in more accurate cost-of-living adjustments; and it would lift the cap on income subject to the payroll tax. According to Rep. Sanchez, these three changes would preserve the Social Security Trust Fund through 2049, reducing the seventy-five year actuarial deficit by approximately 50 percent. … Continued