Reported covered position: Staff, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
How to read the money
Income and expense are whole-filing amounts associated with this lobbyist, not personal compensation or an allocated share.
No topic inference: each bill number appears in source LDA issue text assigned to this lobbyist.
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration so stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Specific issues are shown only where the LDA source assigned them to this lobbyist. Targets apply to the associated filing.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2026 · third_quarter · Q3
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Source: Senate LDA
| 2 |
| 2011 |
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration to stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration so stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration to stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration so stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration to stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
NORRA of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
NORRA of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
NORRA of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Paycheck Fairness Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Paycheck Fairness Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522/S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115/S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115/H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Paycheck Fairness Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Social Security Expansion Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Expansion Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Expansion Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Women's Retirement Protection Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Women's Retirement Protection Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Overpayment Relief Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Overpayment Relief Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Overpayment Relief Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
SAVE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
SAVE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
SAVE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Sustainable Budget Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Sustainable Budget Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Sustainable Budget Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that not more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit may be withheld on account of overpayments.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that not more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit may be withheld on account of overpayments.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that not more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit may be withheld on account of overpayments.
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Fiscal Commission Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Fiscal Commission Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Fiscal Commission Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522/S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115/S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115/H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
CREATE JOBS Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Hands Off Our Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Hands Off Our Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Hands Off Our Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522/S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115/S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115/H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
ERISA Litigation Reform Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
ERISA Litigation Reform Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
ERISA Litigation Reform Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Repairing Social Security After Trump and DOGE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Repairing Social Security After Trump and DOGE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Repairing Social Security After Trump and DOGE Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
SAVE America Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
SAVE America Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
SAVE America Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Direct File Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Direct File Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Direct File Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration so stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration to stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289/S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222), the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187), The PROMISE Act of 2026 (S. 4979): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act) (S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948/H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Social Security 2100 Act
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
SWIFT Act of 2026
Client: NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE · Firm: MARIA FREESE
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522/S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115/S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115/H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059/H.R. 5841): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 9519/S. 5042): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255/H.R. 9763): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424/S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271/S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396/H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026 (S. 5456/H.R. 3967), Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act (S. 5532/H.R. 10557): Proposals to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001/H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540/S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666/H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884/S. 4947). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988/H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration so stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2026 · second_quarter · Q2
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned. Protecting Seniors from Fraud. (No bill). Urging Congress to examine whether federal law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, appropriately balances protections for online innovation with accountability when platforms knowingly profit from repeated scam activity targeting vulnerable populations, and to initiate a formal investigation exploring the numerous allegations against Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raised by a recent report labeled SCAMBOOK: How Meta Helps Medicare Scammers Target Seniors, published by the Center for countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program). Blocking Federal Program Payments. Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464): Proposals that uses extremely broad and vague language to allow any administration to stop, delay, or condition payments for programs it opposes, or in states it disfavors, using claims of fraudulent spending as a pretext to take away or hold up funding for critical programs authorized and appropriated by Congress. H.R. 8464 would legitimize the withholding of funds to reward favored individuals and groups while destroying those who do not agree with the actions of this or future administrations.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948 and H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 9296): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462 and H.R. 9415): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 4396 and H.R. 8490): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Retirement Plan Investment Alternatives: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, RIN 1210-AC38. Submitted comments opposing a proposed regulation defining Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Proposal would create safe harbors for fiduciaries who select the investment options offered in 401(k) plans. If a fiduciary considers six factors when selecting any investment option, including alternative assets such as private equity, private credit, real estate, or cryptocurrency to a plan menu, the proposal would treat the fiduciary as meeting ERISAs prudence standard with respect to those factors, which would entitle the fiduciary to deference from any reviewing court. Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666 and H.R. 5345): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Social Security Administration. Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884). Proposals to reauthorize SSA demonstration projects intended to help Americans with disabilities re-enter the workforce, but this legislation does not include guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from forcing our most vulnerable citizens off the disability roles. In light of this Administrations previous efforts to eviscerate the disability program (SSDI) through the mechanism of demonstration projects, budget proposals and regulatory changes, such guardrails are essential. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D) and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567): Proposals to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2026 · first_quarter · Q1
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289 and S. 4012), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22), (SAVE America Act)(S. 1383, H.R. 7296): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans. Filing Tax Returns: Direct File Act of 2026 (S. 3948, H.R. 7806). A bill to reverse the Trump Administrations decision to end the Direct File program and codify it into law, thus allowing taxpayers to file their taxes online, for fee, and directly with the IRS, saving families time and money by cutting out the middleman.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 (H.R. 5115 and S. 2703): Proposals to eliminate the current practice of employers utilizing forced arbitration to resolve age discrimination complaints, which would shift some of the leverage employers currently exert in these claims back to the workers themselves. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Cutting Social Security by Raising the Retirement Age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (S. 4001 and H.R. 7828): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1013): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Pensions: The ERISA Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 6084). A bill that would undermine ERISAs ability to protect retirement plan participants hard-earned retirement income under the erroneous notion that the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University will lead to a tide of ERISA class action litigation. Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of SSA. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.4 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Balanced Budget: Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J. Res. 139). A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution which would place a limitation on federal spending that would require a two-thirds supermajority to overcome except in the case of a declaration of war. The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority to raise taxes but only a simple majority to cut taxes. If enacted, it would alter Congressional voting procedures to facilitate cutting taxes above all other priorities except spending on declared wars, thus increasing the likelihood that the fiscal policies adopted in coming decades will favor the well-off at the expense of middle- and low-income Americans. The resolution would also severely limit Social Security and Medicare Part A from drawing down Trust Fund reserves to pay retirement, disability and survivor benefits and hospitalization costs. Republican Study Committee (RSC): A Framework for the Next Reconciliation bill. Proposals to eliminate the enhanced tax credits available to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and redirect the money into so-called Health Freedom Accounts, codify the TrumpRX program, a website which re-directs consumers to existing manufacturers discounts on brand-name prescription drugs; expand and codify Association Health Plans; enact additional cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other government programs. Republican Study Committee (RSC) FY 2027 Budget: supports additional tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations such as repealing the estate tax; endorses additional cuts to Medicaid and SNAP; expands Health Savings Accounts; reforms Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to lower expenditures; criticizes Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) as providing excessive benefits to seniors struggling to keep up with rising costs of living; endorses the use of the SSA database for purposes other than ensuring Americans receive their correct earned benefits; supports the replacement of the non-political civil service employees with political supporters of the Administration on a broad basis; eliminates funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Senior Community Service Employment Program; reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Services Block Grants; and reduces funding for Rental Housing Assistance Programs, among other proposals that serve seniors and the disability community. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2025 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3059): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 3462): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 3255): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (H.R. 6424 and S. 3357): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts (no bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Cutting Social Security by raising the retirement age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (H.R. 6237). Proposals to reverse cuts the Trump administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration, and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of the Social Security Administration. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.3 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP food nutrition program, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Appropriations: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968, P.L. 119-4): Proposals for funding the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support basic health care and long-term services and supports, or the extremely important and popular programs administered under the Older Americans Act (OAA) such as home delivered meals (also known as Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals, senior centers, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregiver support because OAA services are essential in helping to allow vulnerable older adults to age in place rather than languishing in expensive nursing homes. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and request for adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grans (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2025 · third_quarter · Q3
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act (H.R. 2491): Proposals would require HHS and SSA to review application processes, procedures, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, Childrens Health Insurance Program, and Social Security programs in order to reduce administrative barriers facing family caregivers. The bill requires agencies to identify and report to Congress on actions that can be taken to streamline eligibility and assistance for family caregivers within existing programs. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (No bill): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S. 2614 and H.R. 4968): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (No bill): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act (No bill): Proposal to increase the lump-sum benefit amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary to take into account inflation. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Cutting Social Security by raising the retirement age. Affirming the Presidents Promise Not to Raise the Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age (H. Res. 657): House Resolution opposing raising Social Security or Medicare eligibility age. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. Keep Billionaires Out of Our Social Security Act (S. 2763), Hands Off Our Social Security Act (H.R. 4734), Repairing Social Security after DOGE (No bill). Proposals to reverses cuts the Trump administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), prevents Social Security field offices from shutting down, makes it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone, provides the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly, protects benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays or changes, blocks privatization of SSA, enforces privacy protections for beneficiary data, and requires annual Government Accountability Office audits on staffing, operations and compliance. Social Security Administration. Letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano opposing enhanced identity verification procedures for beneficiary transactions with SSA that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many older Americans and members of the disability community to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration, and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of the Social Security Administration. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.3 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP food nutrition program, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Appropriations: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968, P.L. 119-4): Proposals for funding the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support basic health care and long-term services and supports, or the extremely important and popular programs administered under the Older Americans Act (OAA) such as home delivered meals (also known as Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals, senior centers, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregiver support because OAA services are essential in helping to allow vulnerable older adults to age in place rather than languishing in expensive nursing homes. Appropriations: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act FY 2026 (S. 2587): Requesting funding for the Social Security Administration of at least 1.2 percent of benefits paid to restore customer service levels Americans have paid-for and earned; and requestion adequate funding for Older Americans Act programs and other discretionary programs key to seniors, including programs proposed for massive funding reductions in the Presidents budget request, such as Elder Falls Prevention programs and the Alzheimers Disease Program Initiative, and programs targeted for elimination in the Presidents budget such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Community Development Block Grans (CDBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (HIHEAP), and the AmeriCorps Seniors programs (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companions Program and Foster Grandparent Program).
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age; The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 1115 and H.R. 17): Proposal to prevent wage discrimination for occurring and helping women and their families secure the paychecks they have earned.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2025 · second_quarter · Q2
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S. 2120): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act (H.R. 2491): Proposals would require HHS and SSA to review application processes, procedures, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, Childrens Health Insurance Program, and Social Security programs in order to reduce administrative barriers facing family caregivers. The bill requires agencies to identify and report to Congress on actions that can be taken to streamline eligibility and assistance for family caregivers within existing programs. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (No bill): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (No bill): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (H.R. 3517): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 3271 and S. 1690): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (H.R. 2999, H.R. 2142 and S. 1023): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540 and S. 1234): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. The Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. (No bill). Mismanagement at the Social Security Administration that is impeding beneficiarys access to their earned benefits by, but not limited to, cutting staff at a time when staffing levels were already at a 50 year low and 10,000 Americans are reaching age 65 every day, closing or planning to close SSA field offices and regional offices without a plan that would effectively replace the services provided by these offices, compromising beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, earnings histories, banking information and medical information to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), rolling back time-saving and pro-beneficiary policies on overpayments, promoting false narratives on fraud and waste at the Social Security Administration as a pretense for instituting identity verification procedures that will impede Americans from accessing their earned benefits, temporarily canceling Enumeration at Birth (EAB) contracts, undermining program integrity and eroding public trust in Social Security, destabilizing the administration of Social Security benefits by laying off employees with the technological skills to maintain SSAs computer systems and instituting wholesale migration of the Agencys computing infrastructure without adequate planning and at a pace that will inevitably result in computer breakdowns that will impede the ability of Americans to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): Requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): Proposals to suspend Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): Proposals to protect Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 1666): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments on Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments on Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments on Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments on strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration. Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Social Security Administration. The creation of an online application for all SSI applicants, streamlining data collection to more effectively obtain treating source evidence, eliminating the reconsideration level of review, updating outdated occupational information, adding a robust online scheduling tool and ensuring comprehensive customer service for all individuals. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (American Relief Act, P.L. 118-158, Division D): Provisions to cut future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2025 · first_quarter · Q1
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (No bill) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (No bill): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 770 and H.R. 1700): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (No bill): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses; Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (No bill): Proposal would improve Social Security benefits by increasing the Special Minimum Benefit, boosting benefits for seniors who have on the Social Security rolls for a long period of time, restore student benefits to age 26 and extend the life of the Trust Funds by eliminating the cap on Social Security benefits and phasing-in an increase in the payroll tax rate. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (No bill): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Supporting the Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (No bill): Opposing congressional reversal of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. (No bill). Opposing the chaos at the Social Security Administration that is impeding beneficiarys access to their earned benefits by, but not limited to, cutting staff at a time when staffing levels were already at a 50 year low and 10,000 Americans are reaching age 65 every day, closing or planning to close SSA field offices and regional offices without a plan that would effectively replace the services provided by these offices, compromising beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, earnings histories, banking information and medical information to billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), rolling back time-saving and pro-beneficiary policies on overpayments, promoting false narratives on fraud and waste at the Social Security Administration as a pretense for instituting identity verification procedures that will impede Americans from accessing their earned benefits, temporarily canceling Enumeration at Birth (EAB) contracts, undermining program integrity and eroding public trust in Social Security, destabilizing the administration of Social Security benefits by eliminating employees with the technological skills to maintain SSAs computer systems and instituting wholesale migration of the Agencys computing infrastructure without adequate planning and at a pace that will inevitably result in computer breakdowns that will impede the ability of Americans to access their earned benefits. Social Security Administration. Resolution of Inquiry by Representative John Larson (H. Res. 195): requesting information be provided to Congress regarding the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) access to the Social Security Administrations computer data, which compromises beneficiary privacy by allowing access to Americans personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, earnings history and medical information. Social Security Administration. Keep Our Field Offices Open Act (H.R. 1876): suspending Social Security field office closures until January 21, 2029, after which date the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to submit a detailed report to Congress, laying out and justifying a process for closing, consolidating, or reducing access to field offices; bill also requires the Commissioner to maintain the total number of field offices and hearing offices that were in operation on January 20, 2025, after the moratorium ends and requires that, in considering future office closures, the Commissioner must consider potential transportation and communication barriers for individuals served by the office, provide significant advance notice to the public and Members of Congress, and ensure opportunities for public input and appeals. Social Security Administration. Protecting Americans Social Security Data Act (H.R. 1877): protecting Americans from having their sensitive personal information politicized or bought and sold to the highest bidder by preventing Elon Musk, his associates, and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems at SSA, codifying SSA data privacy requirements into law and strengthening oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries personal information. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (No bill): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments supporting and strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration: Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 988 and H.R. 2023): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2024 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4776): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act (H.R. 8018 and S. 3109): Proposals would require HHS and SSA to review application processes, procedures, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, Childrens Health Insurance Program, and Social Security programs in order to reduce administrative barriers facing family caregivers. The bill requires agencies to identify and report to Congress on actions that can be taken to streamline eligibility and assistance for family caregivers within existing programs. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3974): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 4583 and S. 2280): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 3261): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 5017): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (H.R. 9300 and S. 4877): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535 and S. 1174): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Opposition to amendments that would cut Social Security benefits, including raising the retirement age. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 7138 and S. 2767): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1029): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Supporting the Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (H.J. Res 142 and S.J. Res 79): Opposing resolutions providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765 and H.R. 3784): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments supporting and strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration: Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627 and H.R. 5060): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, H.R. 8467; No Senate bill): opposing any cuts to future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2024 · third_quarter · Q3
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4776): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act (H.R. 8018 and S. 3109): Proposals would require HHS and SSA to review application processes, procedures, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, Childrens Health Insurance Program, and Social Security programs in order to reduce administrative barriers facing family caregivers. The bill requires agencies to identify and report to Congress on actions that can be taken to streamline eligibility and assistance for family caregivers within existing programs. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3974): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 4583 and S. 2280): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 3261): Proposals to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (S. 5017): Proposals to update and modernize Social Security benefits and to extend solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (H.R. 9300 and S. 4877): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535 and S. 1174): Proposals to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 7138 and S. 2767): Proposals to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1029): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Supporting the Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. (H.J. Res 142 and S.J. Res 79): Opposing resolutions providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765 and H.R. 3784): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments supporting and strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Social Security Administration: Comments submitted regarding Social Security Form SSA-827 proposal (Medical Record Collection Process) and the Disability Applicant Evidence Simplification Act (DAESA) draft. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627 and H.R. 5060): Proposal to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, H.R. 8467; No Senate bill): opposing any cuts to future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2024 · second_quarter · Q2
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. (No bill): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and the Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3974): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 4583 and S. 2280): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Strengthening Social Security Act (H.R. 3261): Legislation to extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds and improve benefits; The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households; the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535 and S. 1174): Legislation to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 7138 and S. 2767): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income eligibility. The Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income as it relates to SSI eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1029): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Supporting the Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice; (H.J. Res 142 and S.J. Res 79): Opposing resolutions providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary". Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765 and H.R. 3784): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015; Comments supporting and strengthening rule regarding the Use of Electronic Payroll Data to Improve Program Administration, Docket No. SSA-2016-0039. Womens Retirement Security. The Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627 and H.R. 5060): bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans. Food Security for Seniors. Farm bill reauthorization (The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, H.R. 8467; No Senate bill): opposing any cuts to future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other harmful policies that would worsen the problem of hunger for Americas older adults and other food insecure individuals.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2024 · first_quarter · Q1
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (S. 1030, H.R. 6581): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (H.R. 3491): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. (No bill): Proposals to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 and to increase the authorization of appropriations for OAA programs, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries; Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act (S. 3974): Proposal to calculate COLAs using the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), whichever is greater. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 4583, S. 2280): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): Proposals to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): Proposals to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households; Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): Proposal to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535, S. 1174): Legislation to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying the net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): Proposal to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): Proposal to nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Proposal to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 7138, S. 2767): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): Proposal to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for supplemental security income eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 1029): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Department of Labor proposed regulation to modernize the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765, H.R. 3784): Proposal to improve Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015. Womens Retirement Security. Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627, H.R. 5060): bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2023 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (S. 3262), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2022 (H.R. 710): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (S. 1030, H.R. 6581): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (H.R. 3491): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2023 · third_quarter · Q3
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (S. 1030): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3491): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2024 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically on provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations. Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (S. 2624, no House bill number): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024, and other Extensions Act (H.R. 5860); Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Act (H.R. 5525): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and opposing the establishment of an entitlement or fiscal commission. Debt limit. Proposals to increase or suspend the national debt limit with no additional provisions (clean debt limit); Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811), specifically provisions reducing the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) for the Social Security Administration and funding for programs administered under the Older Americans Act; the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3726 became P.L. 118-5), specifically provisions funding SSA and programs relating to older Americans.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2023 · second_quarter · Q2
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 4583): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): a bill to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum social security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): To nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule. (No bill or regulation): Supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765, H.R. 3784): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2023 · first_quarter · Q1
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (No bill): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): To nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (No bill): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule. (No bill or regulation): Supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (No bill): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2022 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (H.R. 8295): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including support for the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617, Public Law 117-73): Pertaining to Division H, Title IV: Social Security Administration - Limitation on Administrative Expenses; Division T: Security 2.0 Act of 2022: Expansion of Savers Credit, provision of paper benefit statements, expansion of eligibility for retirement plan participation for part-time workers, establishment of a Retirement Savings Lost Plan Registry. Pertaining to Division H, Title II: Provisions to fund Older Americans Act programs, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Pertaining to Division FF: Proposals for supplemental appropriations to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; proposals to extend Money Follows the Person, a Medicaid program that funds states to allow seniors to stay in their homes, and to extend spousal protection programs for home and community-based services. Proposals to extend COVID telehealth flexibilities; proposals to authorize Medicare Part B coverage of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs), improving access to clinical social worker services, and establishing coverage of intensive outpatient (IOP) services. Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022: the Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 7007): Proposals for supplemental appropriations to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2022 · third_quarter · Q3
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (H.R. 8295): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including support for the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Making Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2023, and for other purposes (H.R. 6833, Public Law No: 117-180), Pertaining to Division A, Section 148: Social Security Administration - Limitation on Administrative Expenses. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for FY 2022 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2023-2031 (S. Con. Res 14): provisions pertaining to the debt limit, Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Legislation providing for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of S. Con. Res 14 (H.R. 5376 also known as the Build Back Better Act): Provisions relating to the Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, Paid Family and Medical Leave, expanding Medicare, drug pricing reform, and Medicaid expansion. Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022: the Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 7007): Proposals for supplemental appropriations to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2022 · second_quarter · Q2
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (H.R. 8295): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including support for the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for FY 2022 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2023-2031 (S. Con. Res 14): provisions pertaining to the debt limit, Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Legislation providing for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of S. Con. Res 14 (H.R. 5376 also known as the Build Back Better Act): Provisions relating to the Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, Paid Family and Medical Leave, expanding Medicare, drug pricing reform, and Medicaid expansion. Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022: the Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 7007): Proposals for supplemental appropriations to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2022 · first_quarter · Q1
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (H.R. 4502): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5304): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act, suspending the debt limit through December 16, 2022 and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans and for suspending the debt limit to protect seniors. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305, Public Law 117-43): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. (H.R. 2471, Public Law 117-103): Legislation providing appropriations to federal agencies for the remainder of FY 2022, providing supplemental appropriations for activities to support Ukraine, and modifying or establishing various programs that address a wide range of policy areas, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for FY 2022 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2023-2031 (S. Con. Res 14): provisions pertaining to the debt limit, Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Legislation providing for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of S. Con. Res 14 (H.R. 5376 also known as the Build Back Better Act): Provisions relating to the Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, Paid Family and Medical Leave, expanding Medicare, drug pricing reform, and Medicaid expansion. Debt limit: Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 2868, S. 1301): A bill to temporarily suspend the public debt limit until December 16, 2022 pertaining to impact on Americas seniors of failure to raise public debt limit. Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022: the Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 7007): Proposals for supplemental appropriations to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2021 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (H.R. 4502): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations operating budget including support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5304): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act, suspending the debt limit through December 16, 2022 and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans and for suspending the debt limit to protect seniors. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305, Public Law 117-43): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for FY 2022 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2023-2031 (S. Con. Res 14): provisions pertaining to the debt limit, Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Legislation providing for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of S. Con. Res 14 (H.R. 5376 also known as the Build Back Better Act): Provisions relating to the Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, Paid Family and Medical Leave, expanding Medicare, drug pricing reform, and Medicaid expansion. Debt limit: Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 2868, S. 1301): A bill to temporarily suspend the public debt limit until December 16, 2022 pertaining to impact on Americas seniors of failure to raise public debt limit.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2021 · third_quarter · Q3
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2021 · second_quarter · Q2
Medicare Disability Wait. (No bill) Stop the Wait Act: Proposal to eliminate two provisions that delay the start of both Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits for disabled individuals, making the commencement of benefits contemporaneous with the decision that a person is disabled.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Fair COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors Act, H.R. 4315: Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Caregiver Social Security Credits. Social Security Caregiver Credits Act, H.R. 3632 and S. 1955: Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, H.R. 82 and S. 1302, and the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 and H.R. 2337, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021: Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Emergency COVID-19 Payment to Social Security Beneficiaries and Others. (No bill): Proposal to provide a monthly payment to all Social Security, Veterans, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries through the end of 2021. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Eligibility for Economic Impact Payment. (No bill): Ensuring the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration made Social Security, SSI and Veterans beneficiaries automatically eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments as required by the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2). Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. H.J. Res. 38: Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. Know your Social Security Act, H.R. 4143 and S. 2204: Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act, H.R. 3824 and S. 2065: Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2021 · first_quarter · Q1
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLAs) Relief. (No bill): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. (No bill): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Caregiver Social Security Credits. (No bill): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 and H.R. 2337, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021: Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Emergency COVID-19 Payment to Social Security Beneficiaries and Others. (No bill): Proposal to provide a monthly payment to all Social Security, Veterans, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries through the end of 2021. Emergency Social Security COLA. (No bill): To provide for a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in calendar year 2021. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Eligibility for Economic Impact Payment. (No bill): Ensuring the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration made Social Security, SSI and Veterans beneficiaries automatically eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-260) and the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2). Social Security Benefit Improvement. (No bill): Proposal to adjust benefit levels for individuals who have been on the Social Security benefit rolls for many years. Social Security Benefit Improvements to Help Beneficiaries During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (No bill): Proposals to improve Social Security benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Q4
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLAs) Relief. H.R. 860 and S. 269, the Social Security 2100 Act; H.R. 1170 and S. 478, the Social Security Expansion Act; H.R. 1553, the Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2019; and H.R. 2302 and S. 1132, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act: Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. H.R. 860 and S. 269, the Social Security 2100 Act; H.R. 1170 and S. 478, the Social Security Expansion Act; H.R. 2302 and S. 1132, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act; H.R. 2654, the Strengthening Social Security Act; and H.R. 5392, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act of 2019: Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Caregiver Social Security Credits. H.R. 4126, the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2019: Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. H.R. 141 and S. 521, Social Security Fairness Act of 2019; H.R. 4540, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act: Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. H.R. 7499 and S. 4986, the COVID-19 Correction and Equity Act: Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Emergency COVID-19 Payment to Social Security Beneficiaries and Others. (No bill): Proposal to provide a monthly payment to all Social Security, Veterans, and SSI beneficiaries through the end of 2021. Emergency Social Security COLA. H.R. 8598, the Emergency Social Security COLA for 2021 Act: To provide for a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in calendar year 2021. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Eligibility for Economic Impact Payment. (No bill): Ensuring the Treasury Department made Social Security, SSI and Veterans beneficiaries automatically eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments as required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-260). Social Security Benefit Improvement. (No bill): Proposal to adjust benefit levels for individuals who have been on the Social Security benefit rolls for many years. Social Security Benefit Improvements to Help Beneficiaries During the COVID-19 Pandemic. H.R. 6356, the Emergency Social Security Benefits Act: Proposals to improve Social Security benefits, which would, take effect immediately, retroactive to January 1, 2020, and be in force until December 31, 2020. Social Security Overpayments. H.R. 7830 and S. 4830, the Fairness for Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act of 2020: Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Payroll Tax Deferral Executive Order. H.R. 8171, the Save Our Social Security Now Act: Proposal to nullify the Internal Revenue Service guidance on President Trumps August 8, 2020 executive action to impose a payroll tax deferral.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE via MARIA FREESE
2020 · fourth_quarter · RR
Social Security
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES BEHALF NATIONAL UNITED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT PENSIONS via MARIA FREESE
2017 · third_quarter · RA
P.L. 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA; No bill Number: multiemployer pension reforms protecting retirees from pension cuts.
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES BEHALF NATIONAL UNITED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT PENSIONS via MARIA FREESE
2017 · fourth_quarter · Q4
P.L. 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA; S 2147, Butch Lewis Act/HR 4444 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act: multiemployer pension reform protecting retirees from pension cuts.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES BEHALF NATIONAL UNITED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT PENSIONS via MARIA FREESE
2017 · third_quarter · Q3
P.L. 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA; No bill number: multiemployer pension reform protecting retirees from pension cuts.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES BEHALF NATIONAL UNITED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT PENSIONS via MARIA FREESE
2017 · third_quarter · RR
P.L. 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA: No bill number: multiemployer pension reform protecting retirees from pension cuts.
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2016 · first_quarter · Q1
HR 1090: The Retail Investor Protection Act; HR 2029 (PL 114-113) pertaining to amendments which would prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing a rule defining conflicts of interest in providing retirement advice (80 FR 21928, 21960, 22004, 22034, 22010, 22021, and 21989); S. 1631/HR 2844 Keep Our Pension Promises Act; S 2147/HR 4029 Pension Accountability Act.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2015 · first_quarter · 1A
HR 1090: The Retain Investor Protection Act, pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; PL 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the FY ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2015 · fourth_quarter · Q4
HR 1090: The Retail Investor Protection Act; HR 2029 (PL 114-113) pertaining to amendments which would prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing a rule defining conflicts of interest in providing retirement advice (80 FR 21928, 21960, 22004, 22034, 22010, 22021, and 21989); S. 1631/HR 2844 Keep Our Pension Promises Act; S 2147/HR 4029 Pension Accountability Act.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2015 · second_quarter · Q2
DOL EBSA Rule 29 CFR Parts 2509 and 2510, Definition of "fiduciary": Conflict of Interest Rule - Retirement Investment Advice; HR 1090: The Retain Investor Protection Act; PL 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the FY ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2015 · first_quarter · Q1
HR 1090: The Retain Investor Protection Act, pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; PL 113-235: Making Consolidated Appropriations for the FY ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · fourth_quarter · 4A
HR 2174: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; HR 83 (P.L. 113-235): Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA; S. 1979: USA Retirement Funds Act, pertaining to Title I establishing a new, universal retirement system.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · second_quarter · 2A
No bill number: opposing legislation weakening the anti-cutback rule in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · fourth_quarter · Q4
HR 2174: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; HR 83 (P.L. 113-235): Making Consolidated Appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2015 and for other purposes, pertaining to Division O, Multiemployer Pension Reform, specifically opposition to weakening the anti-cutback rules in ERISA; S. 1979: USA Retirement Funds Act, pertaining to Title I establishing a new, universal retirement system.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · third_quarter · Q3
HR 2174: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; S. 1979: USA Retirement Funds Act; No bill Number: opposing legislation weakening the anti-cutback rule in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · second_quarter · Q2
No bill number: opposing legislation weakening the anti-cutback rule in ERISA
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION via MARIA FREESE
2014 · second_quarter · Q2
S. 2437: FY 2015 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to prevent restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
Filing targets: SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2014 · first_quarter · Q1
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; S. 1979: USA Retirement Funds Act; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill number: opposing legislation weakening the anti-cutback rule in ERISA.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · third_quarter · 3A
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act, pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; No bill number: Harkin USA Retirement Fund legislation; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill number: retirement in tax reform.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · second_quarter · 2A
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act, pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; No bill number: Harkin USA Retirement Fund legislation; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill number: retirement in tax reform.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION via MARIA FREESE
2013 · fourth_quarter · Q4
S. 1329/H.R. 2787: FY 2014 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to prevent restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · fourth_quarter · Q4
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; No bill number: Harkin USA Retirement Fund legislation; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill number: retirement in tax reform.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · third_quarter · Q3
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; No bill number: Harkin USA Retirement Fund legislation; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill Number: retirement in tax reform.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION via MARIA FREESE
2013 · third_quarter · Q3
S. 1329/No House bill number: FY 2014 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to prevent restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION via MARIA FREESE
2013 · second_quarter · Q2
No bill number: FY 2014 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to prevent restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · second_quarter · Q2
HR 2374: The Retail Investor Protection Act pertaining to updated fiduciary regulations by the Department of Labor; No bill number: Harking USA Retirement Fund legislation; No bill number: limiting retirement plans previously under ERISA from claiming church plan status; No bill number: retirement in tax reform.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION via MARIA FREESE
2013 · second_quarter · RR
No bill number: FY 2014 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to eliminate restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
No bill number: FY 2014 Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce - to eliminate restrictions on political science funding through the National Science Foundation.
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2013 · first_quarter · Q1
HR 566, to provide for a guarantee by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for qualified preretirement survivor annuities under insolvent or terminated multiemployer pension plans; S. 606, the Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2013, or SEAL Act, to modify the rules relating to loans made from a qualified plan.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · fourth_quarter · 4A
HR 5981: to provide for a guarantee by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for qualified preretirement survivor annuities under insolvent or terminated multiemployer pension plans.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · fourth_quarter · Q4
HR 5981, to provide for a guarantee by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for qualified preretirement survivor annuities under insolvent or terminated multiemployer pension plans.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · third_quarter · Q3
No bill number - pertaining to electronic disclosure associated with 401(k) retirement plans
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · second_quarter · Q2
No bill number - pertaining to electronic disclosure associated with 401(k) retirement plans.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · first_quarter · Q1
S. 1813, Title III pertaining to employee pension plans
Filing targets: SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER via MARIA FREESE
2012 · first_quarter · RR
S. 1813, Title III pertaining to employee pension plans
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL via MARIA FREESE
2012 · first_quarter · Q1
HR 452; HR 5 - Title 2 pertaining to repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) for Medicare.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE ADVOCACY FUND via MARIA FREESE
2011 · fourth_quarter · Q4
To persuade the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to exclude provisions related to Social Security from its report, including raising the Social Security retirement age, changing the calculation for Cost-of-Living Adjustments to a "chained" Consumer Price Index, means-testing benefits, increasing the wage cap upon which benefits are calculated, and extending or expanding the current reduced payroll tax contribution.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE ADVOCACY FUND via MARIA FREESE
2011 · fourth_quarter · RR
Social Security preservation including opposition to privatization, Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) cuts, increases in retirement age, means testing of benefits, cuts through changes in benefit indexation, payroll tax holiday extension.
Social Security preservation including opposition to privatization, Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) cuts, increases in retirement age, means testing of benefits, cuts through changes in benefit indexation, payroll tax holiday extension.
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL via MARIA FREESE
2011 · fourth_quarter · Q4
H.R. 452, Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, relating to repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) for Medicare.
Filing targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BARBARA KENNELLY ASSOCIATES, ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL via MARIA FREESE
2011 · fourth_quarter · RR
H.R. 452, Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, relating to repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) for Medicare.
Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: The Six Penny Plan which would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 including bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration, and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare; Senate Amendment 1341 to H. Con. Res. 14 by Senator Mazie Hirono raising a point of order against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would result in the disruption of Social Security benefits or interrupting services within the Social Security program, including any such disruption or interruption caused by infrastructure upgrades to the information technology infrastructure of the Social Security Administration. Budget: Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1): A bill providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14: Proposals that will result in massive cuts to programs critical to older Americans and their families as it enacts unprecedented cuts to fundamental programs that provide health care and essential services to lower- and moderate-income Americans, all to partially offset the cost of massive tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and large, profitable corporations. H.R. 1 will add at least $3.3 trillion to the federal debt in the next decade, which will starve the U.S. of resources with the ultimate effect of providing a justification for later legislation that would cut the earned benefits Americans have paid for throughout their working lives - Social Security and Medicare. Specifically, the bill includes deep cuts to Medicaid, totaling around $1 trillion and representing four times the size of previous Medicaid cuts; around $180 billion in cuts to the SNAP food nutrition program, the largest cut in the programs history, and unless they are blocked by future legislation, will trigger PAYGO requirements in federal law which will result in a 4 percent sequestration of Medicare spending starting in 2026. Appropriations: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968, P.L. 119-4): Proposals for funding the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support basic health care and long-term services and supports, or the extremely important and popular programs administered under the Older Americans Act (OAA) such as home delivered meals (also known as Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals, senior centers, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregiver support because OAA services are essential in helping to allow vulnerable older adults to age in place rather than languishing in expensive nursing homes.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (H.R. 3522 and S. 1820): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 3289), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22): Proposals which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Proposals to limit federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk. Office of Personnel Management: Comments on Proposed Rule, Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004, RIN: 3206-AO80: Comments on proposed rule that would severely undermine the career civil service that Congress has sought to protect and protect for more than 140 years, largely due to our concerns about the impact on seniors of politicizing the workforce at the Social Security Administration (SSA),the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal agencies which serve older Americans
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Opposition to proposals in the RSC budget blueprint, representing 80 percent of the House Republican Caucus, especially provisions outlining $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicare. The Social Security proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: Concurrent Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 41): A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034: Opposing the so-called Six Penny Plan because it would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors. Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14): provision in Section 406 supporting bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Graham Substitute amendment to Concurrent Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) as considered in both the House and Senate: opposing the use of current policy baseline to hide the cost from the American people of making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); opposing the magnitude and distribution of the tax cuts envisioned in the resolution; opposing spending cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, operating costs for the Social Security Administration, and other programs important to seniors such as homelessness prevention, home-delivered and community meals, transportation access, falls prevention, chronic disease management, resources on Alzheimers disease and related dementia, support to long-term care ombudsman and adult protective services addressing maltreatment, and critical funding in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); opposing the resulting massive amounts of debt that threaten the future viability of earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Appropriations: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968, P.L. 119-4): opposing the bill as it does not provide adequate funding for the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support basic health care and long-term services and supports, or the extremely important and popular programs administered under the Older Americans Act (OAA) such as home delivered meals (also known as Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals, senior centers, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregiver support because OAA services are essential in helping to allow vulnerable older adults to age in place rather than languishing in expensive nursing homes.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (No bill): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (No bill): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (No bill), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (No bill), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 (H.R. 222): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process. Voting Rights. (No bill): Proposals to require states to give every voter the option to vote by mail; and to require prepaid postage for all election materials and state-provided drop boxes for federal elections. Voting Rights. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) (H.R. 22): opposing this bill which significantly limits the ability of older Americans to vote in federal elections by severely restricting the types of documents acceptable to prove identity, requiring the presentation of this documentation in person, and needlessly requiring voters to re-prove their identities every time they renew their registrations. Federal District Court Injunctions. No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) (H.R. 1526): Opposing this bill which limits federal district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful actions, thus destabilizing the checks and balances built into our constitutional system and putting the freedom of every American at risk.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2025 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically supporting the Presidents commitment to protect the Social Security benefits that Americans have earned by opposing policies that cut benefits or privatize Social Security, supporting extending solvency by asking the highest-income Americans to pay their fair share, supporting improvements to Social Security as well as Supplemental Security Income benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Proposals to ensure that Americans can access the benefits they have earned by supporting provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices. Proposals to support funding for Older Americans Act programs. Proposals to strengthen the solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund, expand Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), improve nursing home accountability, including mandatory funding for State Survey and Certification inspection programs, and stable funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Opposition to proposals in the RSC budget blueprint, representing 80 percent of the House Republican Caucus, especially provisions outlining $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicare. The Social Security proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: House Concurrent Resolution (No resolution number) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034 as reported by the House Budget Committee: provision in Section 406 supporting bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Appropriations: Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 (H.R. 9029 and S. 4942): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting restoration of the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) to 1.2 percent of total benefit payments as requested by SSA Commissioner Martin OMalley, supporting the Presidents funding level, supporting Senate efforts to ensure parity between defense and non-defense appropriations funding level increases, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, establishment of fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process, funding for Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 9747): Providing an appropriations anomaly for the Social Security Administrations Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) at a rate for operations of $15.4 billion for Fiscal Year 2025. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034 (S. Con. Res. 41): Opposing the so-called Six Penny Plan because it would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (S. 3262), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2022 (H.R. 710): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (S. 1030 and H.R. 6581): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (H.R. 3491): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (S. 1030 and H.R. 6581): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (H.R. 3491): Proposal to prohibit employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (S. 3262), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2022 (H.R. 710): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2025 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically supporting the Presidents commitment to protect the Social Security benefits that Americans have earned by opposing policies that cut benefits or privatize Social Security, supporting extending solvency by asking the highest-income Americans to pay their fair share, supporting improvements to Social Security as well as Supplemental Security Income benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Proposals to ensure that Americans can access the benefits they have earned by supporting provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices. Proposals to support funding for Older Americans Act programs. Proposals to strengthen the solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund, expand Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), improve nursing home accountability, including mandatory funding for State Survey and Certification inspection programs, and stable funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Opposition to proposals in the RSC budget blueprint, representing 80 percent of the House Republican Caucus, especially provisions outlining $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicare. The Social Security proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: House Concurrent Resolution (No resolution number) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034 as reported by the House Budget Committee: provision in Section 406 supporting bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Appropriations: Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 (H.R. 9029 and S. 4942): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting restoration of the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) to 1.2 percent of total benefit payments as requested by SSA Commissioner Martin OMalley, supporting the Presidents funding level, supporting Senate efforts to ensure parity between defense and non-defense appropriations funding level increases, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, establishment of fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process, funding for Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 9747): Providing an appropriations anomaly for the Social Security Administrations Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) at a rate for operations of $15.4 billion for Fiscal Year 2025. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034 (S. Con. Res. 41): Opposing the so-called Six Penny Plan because it would significantly harm the economy and force severe cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs vital to Americas seniors.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (S. 3262), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2022 (H.R. 710): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2025 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically supporting the Presidents commitment to protect the Social Security benefits that Americans have earned by opposing policies that cut benefits or privatize Social Security, supporting extending solvency by asking the highest-income Americans to pay their fair share, supporting improvements to Social Security as well as Supplemental Security Income benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Proposals to ensure that Americans can access the benefits they have earned by supporting provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices. Proposals to support funding for Older Americans Act programs. Proposals to strengthen the solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund, expand Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), improve nursing home accountability, including mandatory funding for State Survey and Certification inspection programs, and stable funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Opposition to proposals in the RSC budget blueprint, representing 80 percent of the House Republican Caucus, especially provisions outlining $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicare. The Social Security proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Budget: House Concurrent Resolution (No resolution number) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034 as reported by the House Budget Committee: provision in Section 406 supporting bipartisan reform of Medicare which would likely result in benefit cuts, provisions in Section 409 making employment a requirement for Medicaid eligibility, provisions in Section 414 establishing a fiscal commission intended to cut the earned benefits of American workers and retirees. Appropriations: Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 (No bill number): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting restoration of the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) to 1.2 percent of total benefit payments as requested by SSA Commissioner Martin OMalley, supporting the Presidents funding level, supporting Senate efforts to ensure parity between defense and non-defense appropriations funding level increases, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, establishment of fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process, funding for Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) (S. 1030, H.R. 6581): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants (POJA) Act (H.R. 3491): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Fiscal Commission Act (H.R. 5779), the Fiscal Sustainability Act (S. 3262), the Sustainable Budget Act of 2022 (H.R. 710): Proposals to establish fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process.
Appropriations. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024, and other Extensions Act (H.R. 5860); Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Act (H.R. 5525): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, including appropriation of SSA requested funding anomaly in any Continuing Resolution, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and opposing the establishment of an entitlement or fiscal commission. President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2025 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically supporting the Presidents commitment to protect the Social Security benefits that Americans have earned by opposing policies that cut benefits or privatize Social Security, supporting extending solvency by asking the highest-income Americans to pay their fair share, supporting improvements to Social Security as well as Supplemental Security Income benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Proposals to ensure that Americans can access the benefits they have earned by supporting provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices. Proposals to support funding for Older Americans Act programs. Proposals to strengthen the solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund, expand Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), improve nursing home accountability, including mandatory funding for State Survey and Certification inspection programs, and stable funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Republican Study Committee (RSC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Proposal (No bill): Opposition to proposals in the RSC budget blueprint, representing 80 percent of the House Republican Caucus, especially provisions outlining $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicare. The Social Security proposals include raising the full Social Security retirement age, flattening retirement benefits and eliminating auxiliary benefits for workers with average lifetime earnings of only $85,000 per year (in todays dollars), flattening and privatizing the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program (as outlined in the budget summary) and placing both the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds on budget. The proposal also suggests repealing automatic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) in favor of ad hoc, discretionary COLAs, and replacing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with an index that results in smaller COLAs. The health care policy suggestions include proposals to transform Medicare into a capped voucher program that would erode traditional Medicares guarantee of services and shift the focus to privatization via for-profit insurance plans. Medicaid funding would be deeply cut and the program carved into a series of fixed capped block grants. Appropriations. Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 (No bill): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, establishment of fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process, funding for Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Older Americans Act Reauthorization. (No bill) Support for funding increases for the OAA, which is the major federal discretionary funding source for home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers. Programs supported through the OAA include home-delivered and congregate nutrition services, in-home supportive services, transportation, caregiver support, community service employment, health and wellness programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, and other supportive services. Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 4583): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): a bill to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households; Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): legislation increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535, S. 1174): Legislation to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum Social Security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): To nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received through no fault of their own. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): bills to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for supplemental security income eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Regulations and Interpretations - RIN 1210-AC02; Application No. D-12057; Application No. D-12060. Supporting the Department of Labor proposed modernization of the fiduciary rule to strengthen protections for retirement investors who seek professional investment advice. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765, H.R. 3784): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014; Comments in support of Expanding the Rental Subsidy, Docket No. SSA-2023-0010; Comments in support of Intermediate Improvement to the Disability Adjudication Process Including How We Consider Past Work, Docket No. SSA-2023-0024; Comments in support of Rulemaking Expanding the Definition of a Public Assistance Household, Docket No. SSA-2023-0015. Womens Retirement Security. Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627, H.R. 5060): bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2024 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically on provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations. Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (S. 2624, H.R. 5894): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, establishment of fiscal commissions to make recommendations that would likely include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits and would be fast-tracked through Congress outside of the regular legislative process, funding for Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Appropriations. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024, and other Extensions Act (H.R. 5860); Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Act (H.R. 5525): Providing appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), supporting the Presidents funding level, including appropriation of SSA requested funding anomaly in any Continuing Resolution, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and opposing the establishment of an entitlement or fiscal commission. Debt limit. Proposals to increase or suspend the national debt limit with no additional provisions (clean debt limit); Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811), specifically provisions reducing the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) for the Social Security Administration and funding for programs administered under the Older Americans Act; the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3726 became P.L. 118-5), specifically provisions funding SSA and programs relating to older Americans.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. (No bill): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 716) and Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act (H.R. 1688): Proposals to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 4583): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 393 and H.R. 1046): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act (No bill): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (No bill): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act (H.R. 3926): a bill to improve benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households; Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act (SWIFT Act) (S. 2741): legislation increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Social Security Funding. Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act (H.R. 4535, S. 1174): Legislation to close the loophole for wealthy individuals who bypass paying net investment income tax (NIIT) and directing the revenue to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Social Security Privatization and Benefit Cuts. (No bill): Proposals to borrow funds to invest in the stock market, to raise the Social Security retirement age and to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees promoted by Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Angus King. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (S. 1211 and H.R. 3729): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82 and S. 597) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4260): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Fairness in Social Security Act (H.R. 4348): to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the portion of a lump-sum social security benefit payment that relates to periods prior to the taxable year from the determination of household income. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (No bill): To nullify the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act (No bill): Legislation to strengthen and restore the SSI program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S. 2767 and H.R. 5408): a bill to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for supplemental security income eligibility. Retirement Plan Distribution: IRS Notice relating to Use of an Electronic Medium to Make Participant Elections and Spousal Consents (RIN 1545-Bq50). House Committee on Aging. (No bill): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement Plan Fiduciary Rule. (No bill or regulation): Supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 3765, H.R. 3784): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration. Comments in support of Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014. Womens Retirement Security. Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2627, H.R. 5060): bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for greater spousal protection under defined contribution plans.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. (No bill): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (S. 1030): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3491): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget (No bill): Proposals in the Biden Administrations FY 2024 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically on provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Presidents funding level, restoration of Social Security statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for SSA field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Debt limit. Proposals to increasing or suspending the national debt limit with no additional provisions (clean debt limit); Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811), specifically provisions reducing the Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) for the Social Security Administration and funding for programs administered under the Older Americans Act; the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3726), specifically provisions funding SSA and programs relating to older Americans.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act (No bill): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (S. 1030): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (No bill): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
President Bidens Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget (No bill): Issued a statement explaining, and in support of, the Biden Administrations FY 2024 budget proposal submitted to Congress, specifically on provisions pertaining to Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for the Social Security Administrations (SSA) operating budget including support for the funding level requested by the SSA to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Debt limit. (No bill). Urging the enactment of freestanding legislation increasing or suspending the national debt limit with no additional provisions (clean debt limit).
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723 and S. 3071): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 4365 and H.R. 8005): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act of 2021 (S. 3070): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (H.R. 8467 and S. 4583): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents. House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 583): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement plan fiduciary rule. (No bill or regulation): supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 3684 and H.R. 7274): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration: Letter to President Biden requesting the creation of a Beneficiary Advocate within the Social Security Administration. Employer-sponsored Retirement Plan Expansion: (Public Law 117-73): Pertaining to Division T: Security 2.0 Act of 2022: Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2446 and H.R. 4678): Provisions improving retirement security for women by expanding eligibility for employer-sponsored plans to more part-time workers; Security a Strong Retirement Act (H.R. 2954): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement and the lost-plan pension registry; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act of 2021 (RISE Act) (H.R. 5891): Provisions relating to improving retirement savings; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement to Supplement Healthy Investments for the Nest Egg Act (RISE & SHINE Act) (S. 4353): Provisions relating to protections for retirement savers; Enhancing American Retirement Now Act of 2022 (EARN Act) (S. 4808): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement, lost-plan registry and increasing asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries saving for retirement.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination; The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723 and S. 3071): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 4365 and H.R. 8005): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. Social Security Expansion. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act of 2021 (S. 3070): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Social Security Expansion. Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (H.R. 8467 and S. 4583): A bill to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries and to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program by altering the payroll tax cap. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents. House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 583): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement plan fiduciary rule. (No bill or regulation): supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 3684 and H.R. 7274): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration: Letter to President Biden requesting the creation of a Beneficiary Advocate within the Social Security Administration. Employer-sponsored Retirement Plan Expansion: Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2446 and H.R. 4678): Provisions improving retirement security for women by expanding eligibility for employer-sponsored plans to more part-time workers; Security a Strong Retirement Act (H.R. 2954): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement and the lost-plan pension registry; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act of 2021 (RISE Act) (H.R. 5891): Provisions relating to improving retirement savings; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement to Supplement Healthy Investments for the Nest Egg Act (RISE & SHINE Act) (S. 4353): Provisions relating to protections for retirement savers; Enhancing American Retirement Now Act of 2022 (EARN Act) (S. 4808): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement, lost-plan registry and increasing asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries saving for retirement.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723 and S. 3071): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security Expansion Act (S. 4365 and H.R. 8005): A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. Social Security Expansion. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act of 2021 (S. 3070): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of the coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents. House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 583): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement plan fiduciary rule. (No bill or regulation): supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 3684 and H.R. 7274): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. Social Security Administration: Letter to President Biden requesting the creation of a Beneficiary Advocate within the Social Security Administration. Employer-sponsored Retirement Plan Expansion: Womens Retirement Protection Act (S. 2446 and H.R. 4678): Provisions improving retirement security for women by expanding eligibility for employer-sponsored plans to more part-time workers; Security a Strong Retirement Act (H.R. 2954): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement and the lost-plan pension registry; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act of 2021 (RISE Act) (H.R. 5891): Provisions relating to improving retirement savings; Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement to Supplement Healthy Investments for the Nest Egg Act (RISE & SHINE Act) (S. 4353): Provisions relating to protections for retirement savers; Enhancing American Retirement Now Act of 2022 (EARN Act) (No bill number): Provisions relating to expanding the SAVERS tax credit for low-income workers saving for retirement, lost-plan registry and increasing asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries saving for retirement.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The Fair COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. The Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723 and S. 3071): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Social Security Expansion. The Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act of 2021 (S. 3070): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Caregiver Social Security Credits. The Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. The Know Your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. The Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents. House Committee on Aging. (H. Res. 583): A Resolution amending the Rules of the House to reestablish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. Retirement plan fiduciary rule. (No bill or regulation): supporting the Department of Labor moving forward with a modernization of the fiduciary rule and any supporting regulatory changes. Social Security Administration. The Improving Social Securitys Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (S. 3684 and H.R. 7274): Improving Social Security's service to victims of identity theft by requiring the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 2062 and S. 880): Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination. The Protecting Older Job Applicants Act (H.R. 3992): Prohibits employers from limiting, segregating or classifying job applicants based on an applicants age.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, (S. 1295, H.R. 2575 and S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 50): Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Fair COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723 and S. 3071): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Social Security Expansion. Safeguarding American Families & Expanding Social Security Act of 2021 (S. 3070): Various provisions updating and modernizing Social Security benefits and extending solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. Caregiver Social Security Credits. Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021(H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. Know your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (H.R. 4502): Provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations operating budget including support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5304): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act, suspending the debt limit through December 16, 2022 and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans and for suspending the debt limit to protect seniors. Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305, Public Law 117-43): Providing continuing appropriations for federal agencies through December 3, 2021 or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act and providing emergency disaster appropriations, provisions pertaining to appropriations for programs affecting senior Americans. Budget: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for FY 2022 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2023-2031 (S. Con. Res 14): provisions pertaining to the debt limit, Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Legislation providing for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of S. Con. Res 14 (H.R. 5376 also known as the Build Back Better Act): Provisions relating to the Social Security Income Restoration Act of 2021, Paid Family and Medical Leave, expanding Medicare, drug pricing reform, and Medicaid expansion. Debt limit: Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 2868, S. 1301): A bill to temporarily suspend the public debt limit until December 16, 2022 pertaining to impact on Americas seniors of failure to raise public debt limit.
Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Fair COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors Act (H.R. 4315): Proposal to adopt the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining COLAs for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security Expansion. Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust (No bill number): Proposals to improve benefits and to strengthen Social Security's financing by altering the payroll tax cap, among other changes. Caregiver Social Security Credits. Social Security Caregiver Credits Act (H.R. 3632 and S. 1955): Proposal to provide Social Security wage credits for individuals who reduce their participation in the workforce or leave the workforce to provide care to specified family members and relatives. Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82 and S. 1302) and the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021(H.R. 2337): Proposals to repeal or modify the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. Social Security Notch. (No bill): Proposals to ensure that Social Security benefits for individuals born in 1960 and 1961 are not reduced as a result of coronavirus-related drop in the average wage index. Emergency COVID-19 Payment to Social Security Beneficiaries and Others. (No bill): Proposal to provide a monthly payment to all Social Security, Veterans, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. Protecting Seniors from Garnishment. (No bill): Proposal to protect Social Security beneficiaries from having their Social Security benefits garnished to recover unpaid student loans. Eligibility for Economic Impact Payment. (No bill): Ensuring the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration made Social Security, SSI and Veterans beneficiaries automatically eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments as required by the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2). Social Security Disability Insurance Claim Adjudication. (H.J. Res. 38): Joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2020, that outlines when its administrative appeals judges may hold hearings and issue decisions on individual cases. Currently, these judges serve an appellate function where they review, at the request of Social Security claimants, the decisions of the administrative law judges who issue decisions in individual cases. Social Security Overpayments. (No bill): Proposals to protect retirees, survivors and people with disabilities from being forced to repay extra Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they received because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening Beneficiaries Rights. (No bill): Various proposals relating to the protection and rights available to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Social Security Benefit Statements. Know your Social Security Act (H.R. 4143 and S. 2204): Legislation to implement section 1143 of the Social Security Act by clarifying the Social Security Administration is required to mail annual benefit statements to all workers over age 25. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) Program. Supplemental Social Security Income Restoration Act (H.R. 3824 and S. 2065): Legislation to strengthen and restore the Social Security Income (SSI) program. Retirement plan distribution: IRS Notice 2021-40 relating to Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consents.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 (No bill number): provisions pertaining to appropriations for the Social Security Administrations operating budget including support for the Presidents funding level, restoration of statement mailings to all workers, providing sufficient funds for field offices, concerns regarding SSA administering the paid family leave program and prohibition of funding for implementation of SSA regulations regarding the use of Administrative Appeals Judges in the hearing process, Older Americans Act programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Program funding, the Community Service Employment program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Age Discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, H.R. 2062 and S. 880: Proposal to restore the standard of proof in age discrimination cases to the pre-2009 level, and treat age discrimination as unjust as other forms of employment discrimination.
Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund Committees. The Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act, S. Amdt. 803 to S. Con. Res. 5: Proposals to set a process to require Congress to consider recommendations made by committees created by this legislation that would likely include plans to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of
COVID Relief for the Elderly. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-260): Provisions pertaining to COVID relief for the elderly, and fiscal year (FY 2021) appropriations for the Social Security Administrations operating budget.
Filing targets: Administration on Aging, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Treasury, Dept of