Social Security

Sequester: Doom or Snooze? 5 Points of View

Posted on 03/1/2013 by | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsEveryone’s got an opinion on the sequester, from “the sky is falling” to “ho-hum.” Here are a few more perspectives on the impact of the $85 billion in federal spending cuts that kick in March 1. The sequester saves Social Security. Laura Clawson on Daily Kos Daily Kos staffer Clawson makes the argument that an alternative deal to stave off sequester likely would “gut Social Security.” Social Security and Medicare benefits are protected from the automatic cuts. But she quotes Rep. …

The Fiscal Crisis of Families

Posted on 02/28/2013 by | Public Policy | Comments

Money & SavingsWashington and the news media have long been focused on a series of budget deadlines and fiscal dramas. But a different headline stood out for me the other day, as I read a story in the Washington Post: “Fiscal Trouble Ahead for Most Future Retirees.” The story provided dramatic support for recent findings of AARP’s Public Policy Institute that the security of middle class Americans is under attack from all sides. AARP’s Middle Class Security Project and the Post article …

COLA Change: How Much Would You Lose?

Posted on 02/13/2013 by | News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Money & Savings | PoliticsThe chained CPI — a proposal to change the way the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is calculated for Social Security and veterans benefits — can be as confusing as its name. And with it comes a number of daunting statistics: Retirees and veterans would lose $129 billion in benefits over the next 10 years. If you’re 62 and take early retirement this year, by age 92 you’d be losing the equivalent of a full month of income every year. Poverty rates …

Rubio, in GOP Rebuttal, Says Obama Plan ‘Will Hurt Seniors’

Posted on 02/13/2013 by | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsSen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a rising star in the Republican Party, used his platform as the rebuttal speaker to the State of the Union Tuesday to talk about his personal connection to programs like Social Security and Medicare. “Mr. President, I still live in the same working class neighborhood I grew up in,” said Rubio, whose parents came from Cuba. “My neighbors aren’t millionaires. They’re retirees who depend on Social Security and Medicare. They’re workers who have to get …

Obama: Don’t Break Promises for Secure Retirement

Posted on 02/12/2013 by | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsPresident Obama told the nation Tuesday that programs aimed at retirement security need reforming but don’t offer the solution to the nation’s deficit woes. In his 2013 State of the Union speech, Obama said across-the-board budget cuts scheduled to go into effect to tackle the deficit are difficult, but cutting Medicare and Social Security benefits instead would be a worse idea. “Yes, the biggest driver of our long-term debt is the rising cost of health care for an aging population. …

Where Obama Stands on a COLA Change for Social Security

Posted on 02/11/2013 by | News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Money & Savings | PoliticsWondering about President Obama’s position on slowing growth in Social Security benefits? It was made very clear during today’s White House press briefing. Asked whether the president is open to raising the eligibility age for Medicare as part of a budget deal, Press Secretary Jay Carney said absolutely not. Then the subject changed to the so-called chained CPI. The proposed change for calculating cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security and veterans benefits faces strong opposition from AARP and veterans groups. Here’s …

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