Something I always resented, having chosen a career in public service, was the loss of Social Security benefits from jobs in my work history which were in the private sector or for which I'd paid Social Security Payroll Taxes. The Windfall Elimination Provision was passed by Reagan in 1983; In 2009, preparing to claim my SS benefits for a slight augmentation of my CSRS retirement, I suddenly discovered that the Reagan legislation had cut my $400 in monthly social security benefits to $177. The Government Pension Offset had a similar affect for other retirees. I was stunned to learn that two college dorm-brothers from 1966 -- one who had honorably served in the Army for 4 years -- had also had their benefits cut.
Now, Social Security Administration announces that WEP and GPO have been overturned as of January, 2024.
This is a slight glimmer of sunlight in wake of the disastrous Trump administration's attempt to decimate the civil service and government agencies. Attacking the civil service, they are focused on somehow eliminating just some part of 4.3% of the federal budget. Now . . . . unless they actually think they can steal the property-right that retirees have to their monthly SS benefit, or pull the Medicare carpet from under those with declining health in their old age, we might still feel secure that our income won't be interrupted. But many people are frightened; some like me are apprehensive. A good deal of folks who are years away from claiming their SS pensions or activating their Medicare eligibility probably just don't care.
Take, for instance, these low income Trump supporters who were already beginning to worry in late December.
Personally, I'm always eager to do the math in anticipation of changes in monthly bank deposits. I'm hoping for a lump-sum payment of about $3,500 covering 2024, followed by a $300 COLA-adjusted increase to a net Social Security benefit of less than $90 after subtracting the Medicare Part B premium. Chump change? Small potatoes? Much ado about nothing? Well, let me say this: Happier than a pig in shit! That's a lot of extra tacos and burritos. It's more than my monthly gasoline budget for a vehicle that only gets 13 mpg city mileage.
But I've noticed that my Medicare Part B premiums increase year after year by percentages that don't just follow COLA adjustments. Between 2022 and 2023, my premium increased 14%. Between 2023 and 2024, the increase was only 4%. Some SS recipients might see a monthly increase of $1,000, but their premiums will always be the same as mine.
Under Trump, what do you expect might happen to these Part B premiums? Or will I still be able to afford those extra tacos and burritos?
Do Dump and Muks want to double or triple our Medicare Part B premiums and drive us to penury?
Now, Social Security Administration announces that WEP and GPO have been overturned as of January, 2024.
This is a slight glimmer of sunlight in wake of the disastrous Trump administration's attempt to decimate the civil service and government agencies. Attacking the civil service, they are focused on somehow eliminating just some part of 4.3% of the federal budget. Now . . . . unless they actually think they can steal the property-right that retirees have to their monthly SS benefit, or pull the Medicare carpet from under those with declining health in their old age, we might still feel secure that our income won't be interrupted. But many people are frightened; some like me are apprehensive. A good deal of folks who are years away from claiming their SS pensions or activating their Medicare eligibility probably just don't care.
Take, for instance, these low income Trump supporters who were already beginning to worry in late December.
Personally, I'm always eager to do the math in anticipation of changes in monthly bank deposits. I'm hoping for a lump-sum payment of about $3,500 covering 2024, followed by a $300 COLA-adjusted increase to a net Social Security benefit of less than $90 after subtracting the Medicare Part B premium. Chump change? Small potatoes? Much ado about nothing? Well, let me say this: Happier than a pig in shit! That's a lot of extra tacos and burritos. It's more than my monthly gasoline budget for a vehicle that only gets 13 mpg city mileage.
But I've noticed that my Medicare Part B premiums increase year after year by percentages that don't just follow COLA adjustments. Between 2022 and 2023, my premium increased 14%. Between 2023 and 2024, the increase was only 4%. Some SS recipients might see a monthly increase of $1,000, but their premiums will always be the same as mine.
Under Trump, what do you expect might happen to these Part B premiums? Or will I still be able to afford those extra tacos and burritos?
Do Dump and Muks want to double or triple our Medicare Part B premiums and drive us to penury?