Topic: Social Security
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Eight steps to getting the right insurance
Comparing insurance policies is tough. However, by following these eight steps, you can simplify the process and find the right insurance policy for you.
-
Fiscal deal will cost you: 8 tax changes
[Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 2 at 10:00 am ET.]
Congress has passed a fiscal deal that averts the worst of the tax increases under the "fiscal cliff." But most Americans will still end up paying more in federal taxes. Here are eight tax changes under the fiscal deal that may hit your pocketbook:
-
How much do you know about US entitlement programs? Take our quiz.
The push to reform entitlement programs is at the heart of debates about the future of the US budget. They include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare).
-
'Fiscal cliff' 101: 5 basic questions answered
President Obama and congressional leaders are working to stop the US from going over the “fiscal cliff,” a combination of higher taxes and lower spending set to take effect Jan. 1. Here are five steps to understanding what's going on.
-
6 ways to avoid the 'fiscal cliff'
Republican congressional leaders and President Obama sharply disagree over how to deal with the impending “fiscal cliff.” But a successful plan shouldn’t be that hard to put in place. Here are six ways Washington can avoid the “fiscal cliff.”
All Content
-
Cover Story
What Americans want from the next presidentOn the eve of a historically tight election, a writer drives through swing states and listens to the voices of America, hearing one overriding plea: 'Washington, stop bickering. Get something done!'
-
Can we live with the budget 'sequester'? Yes, but it’s better if we don’t.
Congress has many incentives to prevent the $100 billion 'sequester', the feared 'fiscal cliff' among them. But it’s main drawback is that it’s a blunt tool for a delicate budgetary task.
-
Six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong
Mitt Romney’s economic plan is largely based on a whitepaper written by several “heavyweight” economists. The problem is, it's riddled with fundamental flaws. Here are six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong about what ails the American economy and how to fix it.
-
Opinion: No mandate for either Mitt Romney or President Obama (+ video)
Mitt Romney and President Obama want a strong mandate from voters to support their governing approach. They won't get it. Given the enormity of America's challenges, it might not be such a bad thing if the winner of this election emerged with humility instead of hubris.
-
5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
-
The Vote
Viewing the Romney-Obama debate in battleground Ohio: a tribal experienceThere's much cheering and a close watch on social media as two partisan crowds in Ohio, a state that could swing the election, track the ebb and flow of momentum in Tuesday's presidential debate.
-
Social Security COLA to rise 1.7 percent
Social Security cost of living adjustment, one of the smallest increases in decades, takes effect in January. More than 56 million Social Security recipients will benefit.
-
Robert Reich
A memo to the president re: the next debateRobert Reich sends his advice to President Obama in anticipation of his second debate with Mitt Romney.
-
Ohio pushes welfare recipients to find work and exit the system
Ohio is one of three states still scrambling to meet the requirements of a federal law that requires states to get at least half of adults currently on welfare into work – or face $135 million in penalties.
-
Cover Story
Election 2012: How another Obama term might be differentWould four more years of Obama change the Washington dynamic? A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
-
History shows “coattail” effect not so crucial to presidents
The "coattail" effect may not be key to a successuful administration: History shows US presidents have always had to deal with opposition in Congress, whether their party held sway or not.
-
Cover Story
Election 2012: How Romney might lead on new Washington terrainRomney White House scenarios beyond a top-down CEO approach. A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
-
Annual Social Security adjustment will be a meager increase
The annual cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security recipients is expected to be between a 1 to 2 percent increase, among the lowest automatic adjustments since 1975.
-
Saving Money
Social Security: 7 common myths bustedWhether it will be around when you retire or not, Social Security is a difficult thing to understand. Here are seven common questions about the program, explained.
-
Robert Reich
Why Biden wonOverall, Thursday night's presidential debate was Joe Biden's night. He not only trounced Paul Ryan, but also, in the process, trounced Mitt Romney.
-
Robert Reich
How the fiscal cliff turns into a gentle 'fiscal hill'Hyper-polarized Washington hasn’t shown itself capable of rational behavior, Reich writes; It's why the nation is heading over a fiscal cliff that may begin to look more like a hill whose slope remains uncertain but will almost surely be gradual.
-
Coal state Dems diverge on Obama policies
Obama's moves on clean air and fossil fuels have complicated the lives of Democrats in coal-rich states that count on mining for jobs and economic growth, with incumbents and candidates adopting drastically different strategies to ensure their own political survival.
-
Decoder Wire
Vice presidential debate: Did Paul Ryan want $300 million embassy security cut?In the vice presidential debate Thursday, Joe Biden said a budget written by Rep. Paul Ryan sought a $300 million cut in embassy security. The facts are more nuanced.
-
Biden, Ryan hold their own in tough vice presidential debate (+video)
Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan went at it in a strong, substantial debate Thursday night. Both men succeeded in articulating their campaign's main talking points, and both likely helped boost the candidacies of their presidential ticket partners.
-
Tax VOX
The hidden value of marginal tax ratesThe marginal tax rate is crucial in making various personal economic decisions, Williams writes.
-
Senator prods Gang of 8 to make middle class, deficit-cutting top priorities
As bipartisan talks to avoid a 'fiscal cliff' renew this week, a top Senate Democratic leader, Charles Schumer, warns negotiators that any plan that aims to cut taxes on the rich and also cut deficits is 'a trap,' and won't add up.
-
Saving Money
Major banks settle with homeowners. Are you entitled?If your home loan is serviced by one of the five major lenders – including Bank of America and Wells Fargo – you may be entitled to a share of one of the largest civil settlements in history.
-
Decoder Wire
Mitt Romney repudiates '47 percent' remarks. Why now?This is the clearest mea culpa Mitt Romney has made since video surfaced of him telling donors at a fundraiser that 47 percent of Americans believe they're 'victims' entitled to government aid.
-
Robert Reich
Presidential debate: the questions they should (but won't) ask Obama, RomneyWhat would happen if Robert Reich moderated a presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Reich offers his thoughts on what questions Romney and Obama should be asked in Wednesday's presidential debate.
-
How much will your taxes go up if US falls off 'fiscal cliff'? (+video)
Congress has put off dealing with the fiscal cliff – a huge suite of legislation – until after the Nov. 6 election. If it doesn't do something by Dec. 31, taxes will go up on virtually everyone.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community