Monday, January 19, 2015

Stealth attack on Social Security

Title: 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.com
reallocation

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Maximizing Federal Retirement Benefits and Perks for Federal Employees

Title: 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.com

Saturday, December 27, 2014

You will be penalized if you enroll in Medicare outside of your eligibility period

Title: 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.org

Monday, December 22, 2014

Am I next? 'Cromnibus' legislation sneaks in pension cuts for some

Title: 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.com
Federal Pension Rules, federal spending bill, Cromnibus,

Friday, December 19, 2014

Federal worker retirees to see 1.7% COLA increase in the January 2, 2015 checks

Title: 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
COLA 2015, COLA 2014,

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Social Security Retirement Benefits (Source: www.socialsecurity.gov)


Title: Social Security Retirement Benefits

Photo: www.socialsecurity.gov
Article Snip: "...www.socialsecurity.gov , is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs...."
Reference: www.socialsecurity.gov
Social Security Retirement Benefits

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Social Security Payments to Increase in 2015


Title: Social Security payments will increase 1.7 percent for retirees in 2015

2015 Social Security Increase
2015 Social Security Increase
Article Snip: "...Social Security payments for 64 million retired American workers will increase 1.7 percent in 2015. That means the typical retiree will get an extra $22 per month, receiving a $1,328 average monthly Social Security payment and $15,936 annually...."
Reference: www.csmonitor.com
2015 Social Security Increase