Social Insurance Archives

What the Heck is Going on at the Social Security Administration?

In the short period of time that Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE have had their hooks in the Social Security Administration, there have been alarming changes at the agency. The most obvious – and most egregious – is Musk and DOGE’s access to the sensitive personal data of some 70 million Social Security beneficiaries, creating the potential for enormous abuse. This was the first line of attack in Musk’s bogus campaign to expose fraud at an agency where improper payments are less than 1% of total benefits paid.

NCPSSM2025-02-26T17:17:50-04:00February 26th, 2025|Categories: Social Insurance, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), Trump|

Harris Likely to Sustain Biden’s Social Security, Medicare, Rx Drug Policies

As we have noted many times, the President has fought especially hard for American seniors --- by lowering prescription drug prices, strengthening Medicare, and advocating improvements to Social Security --- which is why he earned our endorsement in June. His heir apparent, Vice President Harris, has been in lockstep with President Biden on these crucial issues.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-22T15:31:36-04:00July 22nd, 2024|Categories: Inflation Reduction Act, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Medicaid, Medicare, payroll taxes, Rep. John Larson, Republicans, Social Insurance, Social Security|

What Does Project 2025 Bode for Older Americans? Hint: Nothing Good

The right-wing Heritage Foundation produced Project 2025, a blueprint for a second Trump term. Though Project 2025 doesn’t specifically advocate for cuts to Social Security, the right-wing think tank has taken positions that would seriously undermine the nation’s most popular social insurance program. On the issue of Medicare and prescription drug prices, however, Project 2025 explicitly calls for changes that could be devastating for seniors. We chatted with our senior legislative representative, Maria Freese, about the implications of Project 2025 for older Americans.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-19T15:23:26-04:00July 19th, 2024|Categories: Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Drug Coverage and Costs, Social Insurance, Social Security, Trump|

Our Debate Takeaway: Trump’s Lies Undermine Seniors’ Earned Benefits

As seniors’ advocates, it is not our job to parse Joe Biden’s debate performance. It’s our job to tell Americans in straight talk who is telling the truth about Social Security and Medicare — and who will protect them as president. In last night’s debate, Donald Trump repeatedly spread disinformation about seniors’ earned benefits, while President Biden’s statements were consistent with the truth — and with his record in office of defending both programs.

NCPSSM2024-07-16T13:29:50-04:00June 28th, 2024|Categories: Election 2024, Medicare, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden, Presidential Politics, Social Insurance, Social Security, Trump|

NY Times Op-ed Attempts to Divide the Generations to Undermine Social Security & Medicare

In this "Equal Time" edition of our blog, we push back on a recent New York Times op-ed that attempts to divide the generations in order to undermine Social Security and Medicare.

Walter Gottlieb2023-11-07T10:02:58-04:00November 2nd, 2023|Categories: Equal Time, GOP, Max Richtman, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, privatization, Retirement, Social Insurance, Social Security|

Reassurance & Warning at Social Security Town Hall in Las Vegas

The message at Thursday’s NCPSSM/AARP town hall in Las Vegas was: the government may temporarily shut down on September 30th, but Social Security is here to stay. The town hall, entitled “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow,” was an opportunity for nearly 100 Las Vegas residents to hear from some of the nation’s leading experts about the value of Social Security --- and to receive reassurance that benefits still will be paid during a shutdown.

Walter Gottlieb2023-09-29T00:50:05-04:00September 29th, 2023|Categories: Max Richtman, Social Insurance, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA)|

NCPSSM To Participate in Harkin Social Security Symposium in DC

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare will participate in a special Social Security symposium hosted by former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the Harkin Institute of Drake University. Featuring NCPSSM President Max Richtman and other prominent leaders from the national advocacy community.

Walter Gottlieb2023-09-05T14:48:36-04:00September 5th, 2023|Categories: Max Richtman, Rep. John Larson, Social Insurance, Social Security|

The Warnock-Walker Runoff Isn’t Just About the Size of the Democrats’ Senate Majority

While it’s true that a runoff win by Senator Raphael Warnock would give the Democrats a 51-50 majority, there is more at stake for Georgia voters – especially seniors. They need Senator Warnock to remain in the Senate to fight for their vital Social Security and Medicare benefits – and to continue advocating for lower prescription drug prices.

NCPSSM2022-12-02T15:48:30-04:00December 2nd, 2022|Categories: Election 2022, GOP, Medicare, Senate, Social Insurance|

Bloomberg Analysis Frames Social Security and Medicare as Debt Reduction Issues. That’s Misleading.

Fiscal conservatives continue to promote the narrative that Social Security and Medicare must be “reformed” to reduce the federal debt, which basically means cutting seniors' earned benefits. The latest foray in this propaganda campaign came in the form of an ‘analysis’ piece from Bloomberg’s Karl W. Smith, published last week in the Washington Post.

NCPSSM2022-11-30T13:52:05-04:00November 30th, 2022|Categories: Equal Time, GOP, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Insurance, Social Security|

Ron Johnson’s Plan is Part of GOP Assault on Seniors’ Earned Benefits

Social Security and Medicare defenders often say that the public doesn’t understand the threat that Republicans pose to these programs. Indeed, many Republicans proclaim support for both while pushing proposals to undermine them. But lately it seems as if Republicans are going out of their way to lay bare their intentions – or, as some put it, “to say the quiet part out loud.” Earlier this week, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) said during an interview that Social Security and Medicare should no longer be mandatory spending programs