Social security

Additional $250 for seniors would amount to approximately 2% increase for the average Social Security recipient

10/19/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Rep. Eric Massa voiced his support for President Obama's plan to fund additional $250 payments for seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities. The payment proposal comes on the heels of a recent government announcement that there will be no Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2010 due to falling consumer prices.    » read more »

Millions on Social Security to Receive No Increase for First Time Since 1975

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – AARP Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson offered the following statement in reaction to the Social Security Administration’s announcement this morning that 41 million older Americans will not receive a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010. Since automatic Social Security adjustments went into effect in 1975, there has never been a year without a COLA.

“For over three decades, millions of Americans have counted on annual increases to help make ends meet. In this economy, having this protection is even more critical for the financial security of all older Americans.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama announced his support for an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet with retirement savings that have not fully recovered from their losses over the first year of the recession.

"Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession. That is why I am announcing my support for an additional $250 in emergency recovery assistance to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to help them make it through these difficult times.    » read more »

Urges Congress to Act Quickly in Light of Anticipated No COLA for 2010

Washington, DC – AARP CEO A. Barry Rand offered the following statement in reaction to the White House’s announcement this afternoon, calling on Congress to extend previous $250 economic relief provided for older Americans, veterans and persons with disabilities for 2010.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins:

“I applaud President Obama’s statement today announcing his support for a $250 payment to seniors to offset the 2010 Social Security COLA freeze. This news will give seniors in Western New York and across this nation peace of mind in knowing that there will be a little extra money available to cover the basics – including housing, food and medical expenses.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee to take swift action on this matter to ensure seniors receive the relief they need and deserve in the upcoming year.”

Background:    » read more »

Whitehouse-Supported Legislation Would Provide This Payment

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - President Obama today announced his support for a plan to provide seniors in Rhode Island and across the country with a one-time payment of $250 in 2010 in addition to regular Social Security payments. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a cosponsor of the Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act (S. 1685), which would provide such a payment.

"Fixed incomes and a reliance on costly prescription drugs make it tough for seniors and disabled Rhode Islanders to make ends meet," said Whitehouse. "For these hard-hit Americans, every dollar counts, and I'm hopeful these payments will provide relief to our most vulnerable citizens."    » read more »

WASHINGTON, October 14 – Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today welcomed President Barack Obama’s support for a one-time, $250 payment next year to more than 50 million seniors to keep Social Security benefits from shrinking.

“Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession,” Obama said. “I want to compliment all the members of Congress who have been working to address these challenges, especially Senators Reid, Baucus, Sanders, and Lincoln, Speaker Pelosi, and Representatives Rangel, McCarthy, and DeFazio.”    » read more »

Last month, Sen. Casey endorsed legislation to provide a $250 payment

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today welcomed the support of President Obama for legislation to provide a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security recipients to offset the expected lack of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Last month, Senator Casey cosponsored the Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act that would provide such a payment to Social Security recipients.    » read more »

As Chairman, Held Hearing on Reducing Backlog; New Call Center in Tennessee to Help Improve Service

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON– U.S. Rep. John Tanner, Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, praised the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the success of its ongoing efforts to reduce the unprecedented backlog in disability appeals hearings.

The number of pending disability hearings declined during fiscal year 2009 for the first time since 1999. SSA projects that with adequate funding, it will eliminate the hearings backlog by the end of fiscal year 2013.    » read more »

Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Immediately to Address Lack of Social Security COLA

October 1, 2009 -- Washington, DC –With an expected announcement of no Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010, AARP CEO Barry Rand called on House and Senate leaders to provide $250 in emergency relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling in this economic climate.

AARP will work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to urge quick passage of legislation that will help combat rising health care and prescription drug costs that consume an increasing amount of seniors’ income each year.    » read more »

McCaskill sends letter asking for answers on Missourians awaiting Disability Claims

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill sent a letter this week to Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), calling for answers about what the agency is doing to deal with the current backlog of disability claims in Missouri and requesting information about the status of hiring of new Administrative Law Judges to accelerate the process.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the nation are awaiting decisions on their disability claims. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the agency with $500 million to process its workloads, including the disability backlog.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced last week that Social Security recipients should begin to receive the $250 economic recovery payments, which were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Social Security Administration will deliver the payments by check or direct deposit depending on how the individual normally receives their benefits.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- "Although the Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ 69th annual report on the program’s financial and actuarial status was released in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the trustees reaffirm that the Social Security system is sound and faces no immediate danger.

Despite rhetoric from Social Security alarmists and doomsday prognosticators the program continues to run large surpluses and remains capable of paying scheduled benefits in full for the next three decades. Radical changes are not necessary to bridge short-term revenue decreases or to address the program’s long-term solvency.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued the following statement regarding the new Medicare Trustees’ report. A joint statement regarding the report from the Medicare Trustees is also available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TRSUM/index.html. Sebelius’ statement is below:

"President Obama understands that Medicare is an essential program that provides care for millions of our seniors and the disabled. We will do whatever it takes to protect it.    » read more »

05/12/2009 -- WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement after today's Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees meeting:

"Today's report is a wake-up call and reminder of the importance to ensure that this social safety-net is available to all Americans and future generations.

"The high costs for health care are draining the budgets of families, business and government. It is no secret that families are struggling in this economy.    » read more »