Default Could Be Devastating to Seniors on Fixed Incomes

As the country nears a projected federal default date as early as June 1, experts and advocates are warning that seniors’ benefits could be in jeopardy. A default mean that the government will not be able to meet its financial obligations, resulting in delays for vital programs like Social Security and Medicare.
2023-05-17T12:41:12-04:00May 17th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Debt Ceiling, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Max Richtman, Medicare, Social Security|

Democrats Push for Strengthening Social Security in First Hearing of New Congress

The first hearing on Social Security of the new Congress saw Republicans claiming that they simply want information about the program’s status, while Democrats insisted that it’s time to boost Social Security --- and pushed back on GOP proposals to cut benefits.“ Today, we are faced with the fierce urgency of now. Five million Americans receive below-poverty level (Social Security) checks from their government because Congress has not enhanced benefits in more than 50 years,” said ranking member Rep. John Larson (D-CT).
2023-04-28T11:01:22-04:00April 27th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Payroll Tax Cap, Rep. John Larson, Republicans, Social Security|

Senators’ “Bipartisan” Social Security Plan Would Slash Benefits

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has sent an urgent letter to Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Angus King (I-ME) expressing deep concern over a Social Security proposal reportedly taking shape under their names. The Cassidy-King plan would put Social Security on a slippery slope toward privatization — and ultimately cut benefits for future beneficiaries.

Is is Time for Permanent Daylight Savings Time?

Should Daylight Savings Time be year-round?  We, as a country, seem to ask ourselves that question every time we set the clocks ahead an hour in March. Making Daylight Savings Time (DST) permanent would have enormous implications for all Americans.
2023-03-10T16:20:52-04:00March 10th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Senate|

Republicans Are Playing With Fire – and Seniors’ Earned Benefits – By Risking Default

Today’s breaching of the debt ceiling by the U.S. government is making seniors’ advocates nervous.  The federal government is now on track to default on its financial obligations (including the ability to make Social Security and Medicare payments) as early as June --- unless Congress raises the debt ceiling, which it has done 78 times since 1960.  As CNN's Jake Tapper put it, "Republicans are vowing to cut future spending before agreeing to pay bills that are already due."
2023-02-03T12:32:29-04:00January 19th, 2023|Categories: Budget, Congress, Debt, Kevin McCarthy, Medicaid, Medicare, President Biden, Social Security|

McCarthy Speakership Battle May Cost Seniors in the Long Run

Kevin McCarthy’s battle for the House speakership may have made for compelling political theater this week, but it has potentially dire implications for America’s seniors.  According to news reports, McCarthy (R-CA) has made concessions to holdout House members that would empower right-wingers in Congress who want to slash Social Security and Medicare --- in order to fulfill his personal ambition to become Speaker.
2023-01-06T17:04:45-04:00January 6th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Medicare, Republicans, Social Security|

Does New Hill Spending Deal Affect Social Security & Medicare?

Congressional negotiators have struck a compromise on spending for Fiscal Year 2023, avoiding a government shutdown this Friday.  The House and Senate are expected to pass a short-term extension by the end of this week, giving negotiators more time to finish a final funding package for the rest of the fiscal year.  We spoke with NCPSSM legislative director Dan Adcock about the compromise deal.

NCPSSM President Busts Social Security Myths at Sen. Harkin’s Forum

Some of the nation’s leading Social Security experts gathered in Des Moines, IA on Wednesday to discuss the future of a program buffeted by serious financial and political challenges. The forum, Get Your Roadmap to Retirement, was presented by the Harkin Institute at Drake University and moderated by former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (who also chairs the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare advisory board).  NCPSSM President and CEO Max Richtman was among the experts on the panel.
2022-12-09T11:51:53-04:00December 8th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Max Richtman, Social Security|
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