Donald Trump, Social Security
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Social Security COLA is based on inflation during July, August, and September. The Board of Trustees files a report with Congress every year, including a forecast for the COLA. Expectations for the annual cost of living adjustment have climbed since last year's report.
Starting in August, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will claw back overpayments, potentially reducing recipients’ checks by as much as half. Those who received a letter from the SSA regarding overpayment may need to rebudget their expenses as the agency moves to recoup excess funds.
The same approach could work again: thoughtful, phased reforms that maintain the program’s core protections. Ideas on the table include lifting the payroll tax cap (currently $176,100), gradually raising the 6.2% FICA rate, or making more forms of compensation subject to payroll taxes—similar to how TSP contributions are treated.
When you've spent four decades or more in the workforce, it's understandable to be drawn to the idea of claiming those monthly checks at 62.
The Social Security Administration under President Trump has raised its overpayment recovery rate to 50% in an effort to improve efficiency.
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The Social Security Administration reassigned about 1,000 customer service representatives from field offices to its national hotline.
The agency said it is temporarily reassigning about 1,000 customer service representatives from field offices to work on the swamped toll-free phone line.
Social Security benefits end when you die, unless you have a qualifying beneficiary who would begin to receive survivorship benefits.
The bipartisan proposal would establish a new funding model for Social Security, which its sponsors say could help save the program.