Congressional lawmakers are currently debating making changes to social security in order to reduce the federal deficit. These changes would consist of altering the way that the social security benefits are calculated. Currently the system uses CPI which stands for Consumer Price Index and this value is used to calculate the annual cost of living
Read MoreIn May 2012, it became possible to check your social security earnings and statement online at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement. The ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index has given this service a score of 89 which is competitive with the other social security government services such as the retirement estimator and the online retirement application Over one million people
Read MoreThe Baltimore Veteran’s Affairs office is currently the slowest in the country when it comes to processing claims for VA disability benefits. A recent report found that both the error rate and backlog of claims are also the highest in the country. With an error rate of 26.2% and around 16,800 claims that are over
Read MoreSenator Mark Begich has reintroduced a social security bill this week while a companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ted Deutch. Both bills would extend the solvency of Social Security since it would require higher income families to pay social security all year. The formula for cost of living would
Read MoreMichael J Astrue was the head of the social security program since 2007 and was nominated for the position by former president, George W. Bush. With his term coming to an end, he has taken some parting shots at congress over the current state of the program. He said that they have “really walked away
Read MoreNew enhancements to the my Social Security account website have launched, which allow anyone to conduct business with the Social Security Administration without visiting or calling the SSA. The my Social Security account website provides access to a personalized online account that can be used when you begin working until you collect social security benefits.
Read MoreThe U.S. Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) as a serious health concern, citing data showing that approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. TBI is caused by an impact to, or penetration of, the head. This impact or penetration will often cause brain dysfunction.
Read MoreMany people feel anxiety before their Social Security disability hearing. Disability benefits are often the last hope for people struggling with both financial difficulties and health problems. Some people expect the hearing to be formal and austere, like court room scenes from Law and Order. The truth, however, is that most hearings are somewhat informal,
Read MoreMichael J Astrue has been the Social Security Commissioner for the past 6 years, but he will be stepping down in February. The recession has caused an increase in the amount of people applying for disability benefits and he worked hard to reduce this backlog of applications. Social Security funds are expected to run out
Read MoreIf you receive a security check each month, you will no longer receive it starting March first. The US treasury is looking to save money by doing away with these checks and paying social security payouts digitally. When this begins, everyone currently receiving social security benefits will need to choose between having the money deposited
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