NCPSSM, Author at NCPSSM

SSA is “Fixing” Social Security Data; That Worries Us

It’s funny, because when Donald Trump was re-elected, we didn’t hear a hew and cry from the voters to prioritize “waste and fraud” at the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, we remember Trump promising voters multiple times “not to touch Social Security.” The opposite has happened. He and Musk and DOGE ‘touched it’ in ways that affect millions of beneficiaries who rely on the SSA.

NCPSSM2026-10-23T11:05:19-04:00October 23rd, 2026|Categories: Democrats, DOGE, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), Trump, Trump Administration|

It’s ‘Buyer Beware’ This Medicare Open Enrollment Season

This year’s Medicare open enrollment season – which began October 15th and runs through December 7th – should come with the warning: “Buyer Beware.” The Trump administration and its allies in Congress have made health coverage more costly and degraded Americans’ options by prioritizing insurance company profits over patients’ well-being, especially when it comes to the privately-run Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

NCPSSM2026-10-16T11:36:39-04:00October 16th, 2026|Categories: Medicare, Medicare Advantage|

Trump & GOP Candidates Have Pushed Social Security Privatization, Cuts

It’s been quite a week for Republicans telling us how they really feel about Social Security – from the President to GOP candidates in key races. On Wednesday, President Trump admitted that he wanted to privatize Social Security “so badly” after he won in 2016, but “Democrats and some Republicans” stopped him, because it was “risky.” You think?

NCPSSM2026-10-09T14:20:03-04:00October 9th, 2026|Categories: Election 2026, Republicans, Senate, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), Trump|

Trump’s $90 Medicare Rebate — Another Gimmick Masquerading as Policy

Instead of meaningful action to lower Americans’ health care costs, Trump has announced yet another publicity stunt. He has promised some 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees a one-time, $90 rebate. Of course, this does effectively nothing to lower Americans’ health care costs, which Trump/GOP policies have made increasingly unaffordable. The Republicans’ Big, Ugly bill slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid – and the GOP-controlled Congress refused to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. These actions have put immense upward pressure on Americans’ health care premiums.

NCPSSM2026-10-06T13:36:45-04:00October 5th, 2026|Categories: Democrats, Trump|

Our Concerns About Medicare & Medicaid as they Turn 61 Years Old

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law 61 years ago today! These legacy Great Society programs could not be MORE IMPORTANT, but the political right has been targeting them for years - and lately, they have been successful in chipping away at the programs that seniors and lower income people depend on for health coverage. We asked our legislative and policy director Dan Adcock to reflect on Medicare's history and the threats that it faces today.

NCPSSM2026-07-30T15:30:57-04:00July 30th, 2026|Categories: Joe Biden, Medicaid, Medicare, President Trump, Republicans|

Fiscal Commissions Are not the Answer for Strengthening Social Security

Soon-to-be retired Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) new PROMISE Act is the latest in a wave of proposals to establish a ‘fiscal commission’ to address Social Security’s looming financial shortfall, instead of allowing Congress to do its job and devise its own proposals. Durbin’s bill would authorize the four-person Social Security Advisory Board to draft a 50‑year solvency bill that would be fast‑tracked through Congress by the end of the current legislative session. While it differs from earlier commission proposals, Durbin’s legislation still relies on an outside body to formulate changes to a program that 70 million Americans rely on for basic financial security. On the latest episode of our Capital Quick Takes video series, communications director Walter Gottlieb interviews our President and CEO Max Richtman about Durbin’s bill and other efforts to create fiscal commissions for Social Security.

NCPSSM2026-07-24T11:01:59-04:00July 23rd, 2026|Categories: fiscal commission, seniors, Social Security|

Social Security is on the Ballot in 2026

we have launched a new voter education campaign called “Social Security on the Ballot.” Its message is simple but urgent: when Americans go to the polls this November, they’ll be choosing candidates who will shape the future of Social Security.

NCPSSM2026-06-16T15:45:26-04:00June 16th, 2026|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Election 2026, GOP, Social Security, Trump, Trump Administration|

Social Security Commissioner’s Sketchy Sales Pitch to Congress

If Social Security Commissioner (and CEO of the IRS) Frank Bisignano brought anything with him from the corporate world, it is his ability to sell, sell, sell. At a June 10th hearing on Capitol Hill, the former Wall Street executive did his best to sell the fiction that EVERYTHING IS JUST GREAT at the Social Security Administration – despite massive understaffing, poor morale, and outright abuse of beneficiaries’ personal data. While House Ways and Means Committee Republicans responded to Bisignano’s testimony with complete credulity, Democrats and Social Security advocates would have appreciated -- pardon the pun -- a little more Frankness. And maybe even a smidge of humility.

NCPSSM2026-06-16T09:43:00-04:00June 12th, 2026|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Republicans|

Making Sense of the New Social Security Trustees Report

On Tuesday morning, The Social Security Administration (SSA) released its highly anticipated Trustees Report for 2026. The trustees project that the depletion date of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance (OASDI) trust fund surplus will hold firm at 2034, at which time the program still could play 83% of promised benefits. (Advocates and analysts expected the date to creep up one year to 2033.) Interestingly enough, the trustees report blames Trump administration policies for the acceleration of trust fund insolvency – pointing to the Big, Ugly Bill which decreased tax revenues flowing into Social Security... in addition to Trump’s anti-immigration campaign. (Less immigration means fewer workers paying into the system.)

NCPSSM2026-06-11T11:12:50-04:00June 10th, 2026|Categories: Democrats, Rep. John Larson, Social Security, Trump, Trump Administration|

Social Security Commissioner Helped to Facilitate Trump Slush Fund

Throughout his tenure in the Trump administration, Frank Bisignano — the Social Security Commissioner and “CEO” of the IRS — has established himself as a willing participant in some of the President’s most controversial political projects. That dynamic came to a head this month, when Bisignano used his position with the IRS to sign off on an agreement with the Justice Department that created the widely criticized “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” intended to direct taxpayer dollars to January 6 defendants and other Trump allies.

NCPSSM2026-06-03T16:17:37-04:00June 1st, 2026|Categories: Commisioner Bisignano, Democrats, DOGE, Social Insurance, Trump|