Social Security

The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is a key tool used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help retirees keep pace with the rising costs of living. Each year, the COLA is adjusted based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This adjustment ensures that retirees’ benefits reflect the economic realities of their everyday expenses, from groceries to healthcare, helping them maintain their purchasing power despite inflation. How COLA Works? The process behind the COLA is fairly straightforward but vital for retirees. The SSA calculates the adjustment by examining the CPI-W, which tracks the prices of a basket of goods and services that a typical urban worker would purchase. The CPI-W is a valuable indicato...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is under increased scrutiny after it was revealed that thousands of beneficiaries are owed money due to calculation errors. These errors have led to significant financial losses for many, especially for those who were impacted by the elimination of certain provisions under the Social Security Fairness Act. The fallout has sparked public outcry and bipartisan action as lawmakers urge the SSA to ensure beneficiaries receive the full retroactive payments they are entitled to. The Social Security Fairness Act: A Key Shift for Public Employees and Their Spouses In January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law, bringing about important changes that aim to rectify long-standing inequities in the Social Security system. ...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) plays a critical role in supporting millions of Americans by providing financial assistance through retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each year, the SSA makes Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) to these payments to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation. COLAs are vital because they help beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power in the face of rising living costs. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), an organization dedicated to monitoring Social Security benefits, has recently projected that the COLA for 2026 will be 2.3%. This is a slight increase from the previous estimate of 2.2%. While this increase is a positive development for recipients, many are concerned...

Social Security benefits are a crucial financial lifeline for many Americans, particularly retirees, individuals with disabilities, and others who depend on them for everyday living. However, losing these benefits, whether temporarily or permanently, can have serious consequences. There are several common reasons why people may lose their Social Security benefits, and understanding these reasons can help you avoid such disruptions. In this article, we will discuss the primary causes of losing Social Security benefits and how to resolve them quickly. 1. Changes in Immigration Status One of the most common reasons for a loss of Social Security benefits is a change in immigration status. Social Security benefits are closely tied to legal residency and citizenship status in the U...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States is thinking about a major change — increasing the full retirement age. This proposal is a part of their broader plan to ensure that Social Security benefits continue to be available for future generations. As people are now living longer than before, the SSA wants to adjust the system to match this new reality. Currently, the full retirement age for most Americans is between 66 and 67 years, depending on their birth year. But now, the SSA is studying whether this age should be raised gradually to 68 or even 70 in the coming years. This potential change is being discussed seriously in 2025, as the SSA looks at ways to make Social Security financially strong for the long term. Why Is the Retirement Age Being Reconside...

The question you have raised about your wife, who is receiving a pension but has never paid into Social Security, is an important one and worth exploring, especially in light of the new Social Security Fairness Act. You’re wondering whether this new legislation would make her eligible for Social Security spousal benefits now that the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) have been repealed. Here’s the key point to remember: for your wife to claim spousal benefits, she must wait until you begin claiming your Social Security benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, she cannot claim them independently. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden, repeals provisions that previously limited o...

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley has raised concerns about potential delays in Social Security payments for millions of Americans. O'Malley, who led the Social Security Administration (SSA) from 2023 to 2024, has expressed his worries about disruptions shortly. While he hopes to be proven wrong, his warning comes from significant problems within the SSA. These include staffing cuts, internal chaos, and the impact of government efficiency measures, all of which threaten to delay benefit payments. One of the main reasons for these potential delays is the severe staffing cuts the SSA has experienced. Since President Donald Trump's administration, the agency has reduced its workforce by 7,000 employees, dropping from 57,000 to 50,000. This represents a 12% decreas...

Social Security has been a key program for the United States, offering financial support to people who are no longer able to work due to age or disability. Since its establishment, it has provided millions of Americans with an essential safety net, ensuring they can maintain a basic standard of living when they can no longer rely on income from a job. These benefits represent not only financial assistance but also the acknowledgment of years of hard work. For many families, Social Security benefits are the primary source of income, making them vital for day-to-day survival. With these payments, recipients can cover essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare. The stability that Social Security provides brings a sense of security, knowing that there is financial support ...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing growing criticism due to proposed staffing cuts that could severely impact its operations and compromise the security of sensitive data. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Kirsten Gillibrand have voiced their concerns over a 50% reduction in staffing within the Office of the Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). They warn that these cuts could have devastating consequences for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In a letter to the administration, the senators expressed their alarm, stating, “We are concerned these cuts will lead to further website and benefit disruptions, preventing tens of millions of Americans from accessing their hard-earned Social Se...

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) is grappling with a severe operational crisis, marked by repeated website outages, prolonged phone service disruptions, and widespread confusion among beneficiaries. These issues have intensified following a series of cost-cutting measures and policy changes implemented by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.​ Website Crashes and System Overloads In recent weeks, the SSA's online portal, MySSA, has experienced multiple outages, with some lasting up to 24 hours. These disruptions have prevented millions of retirees and disabled Americans from accessing their accounts or completing necessary transactions. The outages are reportedly linked to an expanded fraud detection system...