|
Insider’s Report: We’re going to have to fight harder
|
The outcome of the election leaves little doubt that the Republican-led House is planning to come after your earned Social Security and Medicare benefits
Make no mistake. We face a tough road ahead in the new Congress. And the National Committee will have to fight harder than ever before to stop misguided fiscal policies that prioritize massive tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations over protecting the benefits that millions of workers and retirees like you have paid into and earned.
As I wrote about recently in The Hill, “During the campaign, Republicans were not shy about revealing their plans for seniors’ earned benefits: to raise the eligibility ages, privatize both programs and hold them hostage to debt ceiling negotiations. We must take Republicans at their word that these are the policies they will pursue.”
That’s why we will have to focus on the Senate and President Biden to block major legislation to cut and undermine seniors’ programs. And we will need to mobilize older Americans like you to protect Social Security and Medicare. But I've seen firsthand the tremendous power of National Committee members and supporters when we join together in defense of your earned benefits. And against all odds, we've waged and won numerous battles in recent years to defeat proposals that could have harmed the benefits millions of Americans rely on.
We’ve also won important victories that preserve and strengthen your retirement and health security, including our historic victory earlier this year that requires Medicare to negotiate the price of certain high-cost prescription drugs with drug manufacturers — for the first time ever.
The key to our success has always been people like you! Your participation in our national campaigns. Your voice that is heard in Washington, DC. Your passion for our cause to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare benefits.
And so our elected officials should be prepared to feel the full force of our united movement. With your support we're going to hold our lawmakers’ feet to the fire when harmful proposals that could impact your earned benefits come up for a vote in Congress. And we’re going to ensure that every member of Congress understands the critical need to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare for current and future generations of Americans.
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
|
| National Caregiving Month |
| |
|
We would be remiss in our final November issue of Benefits Watch not to mention that November Is National Family Caregivers Month. The National Committee strongly believes that the services provided by caregivers should be acknowledged for the work that it is. As anyone who has ever cared for someone knows, it is about the hardest job anyone ever has to do.
National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor caregivers across the country. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities and increase support for caregivers. The National Committee supports legislation in Congress that would provide caregiver credits to ensure that people (mostly women) are not penalized in retirement for taking time out of the workforce to care for children or elderly family members.
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
|
| Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Soon! |
| |
|
You have until December 7 to make changes to your Medicare Part D and Advantage plans! Each year, both Medicare Advantage and Part D plans make changes to their benefits, cost-sharing, provider networks and monthly premiums. That means the plan that best served you in 2022 may not be the best plan for you next year.
We certainly understand why so many beneficiaries choose inertia rather than the tedious and often challenging task of comparing the various private insurance plans offered in Medicare Advantage and Part D. However, given that out-of-pocket health care costs consume 28% of the average Social Security check, it’s especially important that beneficiaries take the time to ensure last year’s plans still meet their needs.
And to help you or a loved one navigate through the sometimes complex Medicare program, you can find unbiased help from trained and knowledgeable counselors through your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
| Poll Results! |
| |
|
In the last issue of Benefits Watch we asked our readers the following question:
Former President Trump just announced his bid to run for a second term in office. Do you believe a 2nd term Trump presidency would pose a threat to Social Security and Medicare?
The results from our recent poll are fascinating, but they’re only available to National Committee members! Join the National Committee today and we’ll immediately give you the results of this important poll.
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
| Ask Web |
| |
|
Our resident Social Security expert, Webster Phillips — a Senior Policy Analyst for the National Committee and a 31-year veteran at the Social Security Administration — is here to answer your questions about Social Security.
You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns or submit your question here.
This week's question is: My daughter is named as the guardian of our disabled son when we both pass away. Will she be entitled to Social Security as the “guardian” of a disabled child? What will the payments be, if any, in relationship to my present Social Security payments?
Click here to read the answer.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ask Web
Whether you’re currently retired or approaching retirement, we can help answer your questions and provide valuable advice on Social Security. |
|
 |
|
Join Now
Your support sustains our campaigns in Washington to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. |
|
 |
|
Aging, Health and Care
Find useful resources on everything from caregiving and hearing care to long-term care and transportation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| Speaker Pelosi’s Legacy Includes Historic Legislation for Seniors |
| |
|
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who declared last week that she will not seek a leadership position in the next Congress, has been lauded as a master of legislative procedure, a unifier of her caucus and as someone who broke the “marble ceiling” for women. But her legacy also includes the many bills that Pelosi, 82, shepherded through Congress to improve older Americans’ health and well-being. (November 18, 2022, www.ncpssm.org, Entitled to Know blog)
Read More →
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.png "tw"){kind=small}
