Title: Bernie Sanders on Social Security
Article Snip: "...Criminal to not have COLA increases for seniors, Defend against chained CPI, and expand Social Security, No cuts; no privatization; even to deal with deficit , Raise the Social Security cap on taxable income. Despite GOP rhetoric, Social Security is NOT going bankrupt ..."
Reference: www.ontheissues.orgTitle: Hillary Clinton on Social Security
Article Snip: "...During her 2008 presidential bid, Clinton was relatively non-committal about reforms to the Social Security program. She said in 2007 that certain reforms such as cutting benefits, privatizing the program or raising the retirement age were "off the table." There were some articles at the time that gave mixed signals on whether she would be willing to increase payroll taxes..."
Reference: www.ontheissues.orgTitle: Ted Cruz on Social Security
Article Snip: "...Q: How would you protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen it for future generations?
A: On Social Security, I am campaigning on a series of very specific reforms. For seniors receiving Social Security or near Social Security, there should be no changes in benefits whatsoever. For younger workers, we need to do three fundamental reforms.
Source: Texas Tribune Interview in 2012 AARP Senate Voter Guide , Aug 24, 2012 ..."
Title: Figuring Out Your FERS Annuity
Article Snip: "...Under FERS, you can retire on an immediate, unreduced annuity if you meet one of the following age and service requirements..."
Reference: www.fedweek.comTitle: Retirement Calculator: Federal Ballpark E$timate® from OPM site
Article Snip: "... Federal Ballpark E$timate® was developed by the Employee Benefit Research Institute® and its American Savings Education Council® (ASEC®) program ..."
Reference: the-best-calculator.blogspot.comTitle: 10 Things that Will Improve Your USAJOBS Resume
Article Snip: "...what the DIY person can do to their resume to make it better. Here are 10 easy-to-implement suggestions: Create a Skills Summary or Professional Profile. This is great way ..."
Reference: www.fedweek.comTitle: Social Security in the crosshairs: replacement rates again
Article Snip: "...The stage is being set for cuts in Social Security, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has become a major player in this effort..."
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| The Index Card |
) about it. Which if the whole point is that this stuff is so simple you can fit it on an index card might seem counterintuitive ..."Title: Paying Income Tax on Social Security Benefits
Article Snip: "...Whether or not you'll be required to pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits will depend on your income and filing status. About 35 percent of Social Security recipients have total incomes high enough to trigger federal income tax on their benefits ..."
Reference: www.huffingtonpost.comTitle: Social Security options for single seniors
Article Snip: "...Widows, widowers and divorcees approaching retirement and about to file for Social Security, though, need to recognize filing options that can significantly increase monthly benefits. While rules are different for surviving spouses and divorcees..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comTitle: Maybe we need more Social Security, not less
Article Snip: "...The bill enables our government to borrow yet more billions of dollars. At the same time, it eliminates the ability of some to use the many rules of Social Security to squeeze out a few more bucks in benefits..."
Reference: www.mystatesman.comArticle Snip: "...On Thursday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced S. 2251, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act. The bill would provide a one-time payment in 2016 to Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, and others of $581, or 3.9% of the average Social Security retirement benefit. The legislation would not only help current retirees, but also make an important statement about fairness. Last year the average CEO pay increase was 3.9%, while retirees and people with disabilities will be going without any cost-of-living adjustment in 2016..."
Reference: www.apwu.orgTitle: Don’t Forget to ‘Turn On’ Your Benefits
Article Snip: "...what steps federal employees need to take to receive their benefits after retirement. As with most questions in life, the answer can be complex. Once an employee determines they are eligible for retirement..."
Reference: www.govexec.comTitle: FEHB and FEGLI Benefits on Retirement
Article Snip: "...a larger question that readers keep asking me. “If I leave government on an immediate, postponed, deferred or disability annuity, will I be able to continue my Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage? And while you’re at it, I have the same question about my Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance coverage.”..."
Reference: www.fedweek.comTitle: FAQ on Social Security COLAs: AARP shares what, when, how, why
Article Snip: "...COLAs currently understate the cost of living for the elderly, because they are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which only measures the spending of families who make most of their income from wage earners or clerical workers. It excludes families whose main sources of income are pensions and Social Security..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comTitle: Mike Huckabee Speaks Out on Social Security
Article Snip: "...Huckabee continued: And the government has squandered what they paid in, and there are some that think the answer to that is to just break the promises to Americans. I think that’s the wrong answer, because it isn’t workers’ faults that their money has been squandered..."
Reference: www.breitbart.comTitle: Feds Ask, ‘Where Can We Find Retirement Income Facts?’
Article Snip: "...Where can you find information about federal pensions? ...Where can I find info I need about my Social Security retirement income benefits?...How much should be put into the TSP?..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: The Great Retirement Plan Every Federal Employee Should Use
Article Snip: "...the Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP for short. The TSP has many features that are similar to what a 401(k) offers, but it also gives federal workers key advantages over most 401(k) plans. Let's look more closely at the Thrift Savings Plan and what makes it such a great option for those who are eligible..."
Reference: www.fool.comTitle: Will You Be Forced To Pay Into Medicare?
Article Snip: "...Congress is considering a bill that would require postal retirees to enroll in Medicare Parts B and D or lose their Federal health insurance. Is this the future for all Federal retirees? Medicare is facing years of higher costs..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: Social Security Loopholes
Article Snip: "...Had you simply saved and invested, you would probably be retiring as a multimillionaire. But because you were required to pay into Social Security, now you have to figure out how best to get back some of your money. Being aware of some Social Security loopholes will help you choose between options that differ by as much as a quarter of a million dollars ..."
Reference: www.emarotta.comTitle: Federal Employee Retirement Funds Tank in August
Article Snip: "...The government securities (G) fund was the only option that ended the month in the black, scraping by with 0.18 percent growth for August. That fund – one of TSP’s most stable offerings – was up 1.33 percent for the year to date..."
Reference: www.govexec.comTitle: Special Military Social Security Rate
Article Snip: "...The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1940 through 2001. This program adds to your overall income factor..."
Reference: militaryvetnews.blogspot.comTitle: 10 secrets to get more from Social Security
Article Snip: "...There are more than 2,700 rules in Social Security's handbook. It's enough to make you want to give up on ever figuring out the best choices to make for your retirement. But if you do your homework and fully maximize your benefits..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comTitle: Can Bernie Sanders save retirement?
Article Snip: "...The self-described democratic socialist from Vermont – who is running for the Democrats' 2016 presidential nomination, although he is an independent – wants to not just preserve Social Security, but expand it. "We should not be talking about cutting Social Security benefits. We should be talking about expanding benefits to make sure that every American can retire with dignity," Sanders said recently in a statement accompanying a bill to increase Social Security benefits by $65 per month. ..."
Reference: www.usnews.comTitle: Bill Aims to Crack Down on Embezzlement of Federal Retirement Funds
Article Snip: "...federal workers rely on their savings and pensions which they worked hard for to retire with dignity,” said Heitkamp. “Most financial caregivers are loved ones who selflessly step in to manage the finances for retirees who are unable to do so, but we have heard about a few bad actors who are stealing that money from retirees. Such harsh actions deserve harsh punishments. Our bipartisan bill would help deter these activities by imposing criminal penalties on financial caregivers..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: The Alliance Releases Annual Congressional Voting Record
Article Snip: "...On Tuesday, the Alliance released its annual report detailing the voting record of every U.S. Representative and Senator on issues important to current and future retirees. ..."
Reference: www.apwu.orgTitle: HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act
Article Snip: "...The proposed bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exemption from the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from a government retirement plan for qualified public safety employees who have reached age 50, to expand the exemption to include specified federal law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, federal firefighters, and air traffic controllers who similarly have reached age 50. ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.comTitle: Senators Seek Clarity on Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Programs’ Cyber Integrity
Article Snip: "...recent reports suggest that the Board may have significant weaknesses in its networks,” the Senators wrote. The Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration has said that it has had difficulty accessing the Board’s networks in order to conduct a compliance audit, which is required by law. “Independent assessment is an essential part of any organization’s cyber risk management program,” the Senators wrote. “We urge you to allow the auditors to conduct the necessary penetration testing..."
Reference: www.hsgac.senate.govTitle: New budget proposal drops federal benefit cuts
Article Snip: "...The House budget included proposals to 10 percent through attrition and increase Postal Service employee contributions to their health insurance premiums as well as decreases the rate of return on the Thrift Savings Plan's government securities fund (G Fund) and encourages the elimination of the Federal Employee Retirement System annuity supplement. None of those proposals made it into the final version..."
Reference: www.federaltimes.comTitle: Social Security Credit for Military Service
Article Snip: "...If you are a FERS or CSRS-Offset employee, the military-related Social Security time could increase the Social Security benefit you already stand to receive. In either case, be sure that military service time is included in any benefit payments if you are already retired or benefit projections if you are still actively employed...."
Reference: www.fedweek.comTitle: Medicare
Article Snip: "...There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage— Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). Some people get additional coverage, like Medicare prescription drug coverage or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Learn about these coverage choices and 3 steps to help you decide how to get your coverage...."
Reference: www.medicare.govTitle: With a ‘Golden Parachute’ in Hand, Donahoe Opposes Retirement for Young Workers
Article Snip: "...apparently Donahoe’s views have nothing to do with the Postal Service’s manufactured “financial crisis.” He opposes government pensions on principle and wants to impose his view to the entire federal government. “I would encourage Congress to view the Postal Service as a test bed or laboratory of change that might be applied to the rest of the federal government,” he said. “I’d like to see the Congress encourage much more experimentation at the federal level,” Donahoe added. “The Postal Service has the kind of management that would appreciate being at the front edge of change and would make good use of opportunities.” APWU President Mark Dimondstein denounced Donahoe’s parting shot at young workers. “Donahoe’s remarks are the height of hypocrisy,” the union president said. “Every worker should be able to look forward to a stable, secure retirement.” ..."
Reference: www.apwu.orgTitle: How Will My Retirement Be Calculated?
Article Snip: "...I have 30 years with the Government (non-continuous). My first 15 years were under the CSRS system. The second 15 years are under FERS. How will my retirement be calculated? ..."
Reference: fedsmith.comTitle: House makes 'stealth attack' on Social Security disability funds
Article Snip: "...The House of Representatives voted in its first week to change the rules to make reallocation harder. This stealth attack on Social Security and the 11 million disabled persons who depend upon it was launched with full knowledge that the funds for Social Security disability will run dry early next year. A failure to reallocate would mean that disability benefits would have to be cut by 20 percent. ..."
Reference: www.mcall.comTitle: Maximizing Retirement Benefits and Perks for Federal Employees
Article Snip: "...First off, you need to understand when you can retire. To qualify for retirement under FERS, you must meet three eligibility requirements: In most cases, you will not be eligible for retirement benefits until you reach your “MRA,” or Minimum Retirement Age. Your MRA depends on what year you were born in and typically falls somewhere between 55 and 57. - See more at: http://www.fedsmith.com/2015/01/06/maximizing-retirement-benefits-and-perks-for-federal-employees/#sthash.M0UaOEJG.dpuf..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: Medicare Enrollment
Article Snip: "...You are eligible to enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after the month you turn 65. You will be penalized if you enroll outside of your eligibility period and your options to enroll will be limited. If you miss your eligibility window, you may sign up only during the general enrollment period at the beginning of the year, with few exceptions. And, if Social Security records reflect that you have enrolled late, you will be required to pay a penalty in addition to the monthly premium. The penalty for enrolling late is 10 percent for each year you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B. For most USPS retirees, the premium for Medicare Part B for 2015 is $104.90. Medicare B covers medically-necessary services from doctors and other health care providers, ambulance services, outpatient care, home health care, and some preventative services. For a complete list of covered services, visit www.Medicare.gov. Medicare Part A covers hospitalization and it’s free because you paid for it while you worked for the Postal Service...."
Reference: www.apwu.orgTitle: What Retirees Need to Know about the New Federal Pension Rules
Article Snip: "...The last-minute deal to allow retiree pension benefit cuts as part of the federal spending bill for 2015 passed by Congress last week has set off shock waves in the U.S. retirement system...."
Reference: time.comTitle: Holiday Greetings from Retirement Services!
Article Snip: "...Federal retirees and survivors will receive a 1.7% Cost-of-Living adjustment (COLA) effective December 1, 2014. You will see the increase in the January 2, 2015, payment. ..."
Reference: www2.opm.gov |
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| 2015 Social Security Increase |