Social Security

Articles about Social Security that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees

What’s Next for Social Security?

New York Times
Editorial Board

The trustees of Social Security recently reported that the retirement system can pay full benefits until 2035, when it will be able to pay about three-fourths of promised benefits. That is not a crisis. It is a manageable problem.

A Grand Bargain For Social Security Reform?

WEP/GPO Compromise Sought

MAY 2013 VOICE: As President Obama and Congressional Leaders search for a means to address the current budget deficit and America’s long-term debt, the prospects of a potential “grand bargain” between the White House and Congressional Republicans continues to loom.

BIPARTISAN REPEAL OF WEP/GPO UNDERWAY

H.R.1795 Introduced In 113th Congress

May 1, 2013: Congressmen, from different states and political parties, have joined together to hopefully correct a longstanding problem that they share in common – and with us here – namely, Social Security’s oppressive Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

A budget primer for White House budget week

By Josh Hicks
Washington Post
April 8, 2013

ASSOCIATION JOINS SENATE CONFERENCE CALL & AFL-CIO FORUM

ASSOCIATION JOINS SENATE CONFERENCE CALL & AFL-CIO FORUM

Warren Opposes Chained CPI

MARCH 1, 2013:  On the day when federal sequestration took effect and with a major retiree healthcare reform bill now pending on Beacon Hill, Association officials wrapped up the week by participating in two important forums: A conference call with Massachusetts’ Senior Senator and participating in the AFL-CIO’s Leadership Conference.

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM LINGERS

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM LINGERS

Association Pushes WEP/GPO Inclusion

FEBRUARY 2, 2013: This past week, the Association took part in the annual National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C. While a variety of pension, healthcare and Social Security issues were discussed, one issue was on the top of our agenda – WEP & GPO.

Chained CPI Is a Vote to Cut Social Security Benefits

The following letter was co-authored by Eric Kingson and Nancy Altman, co-chairs of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, and sent to every Congressional office.

Our coalition of 320 organizations representing a broad cross-section of the American people respectfully urges you to reject the use of the less-generous and less-accurate chained-CPI as the basis for Social Security's cost of living adjustments for current and future seniors, people with disabilities, and other beneficiaries.

Starting March 1: Electronic Payments Are a Must for S.S. Recipients

JANUARY 4, 2013: For years, Social Security has stressed the convenience, security, and safety of getting benefit payments electronically. Soon, direct deposit (or Direct Express) will not only be the best way to receive Federal benefit payments -- it will be the only way.

That's because the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a new rule that will phase out paper checks for Federal benefit and non-tax payments by March 1, 2013.

Here is how the transition will work.

WASHINGTON GRIDLOCK SLOWS WEP/GPO PROGRESS

Members’ Frustration Grows

NOVEMBER 2012 VOICE: After more than a decade of starts and stops in the effort to repeal both the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), Association members impacted by one or both of the laws have grown understandably frustrated.