The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) has produced a set of Social Security proposals that are worth considering. The NASI booklet is difficult to read online. I have pulled out their summary and posted it on the Social Security Perspectives blog for easier reading.
Certainly, the proposal to update Supplemental Security Income will get attention and will probably be adopted. The others, who knows. I just wish that someone would have addressed the two parts of the Social Security Act that I would most like to see changed -- the actuarial penalty for disabled widows benefits and the marriage penalty for disabled adult children. They both sound very technical, but they are both indefensible and hurt innocent people.
Certainly, the proposal to update Supplemental Security Income will get attention and will probably be adopted. The others, who knows. I just wish that someone would have addressed the two parts of the Social Security Act that I would most like to see changed -- the actuarial penalty for disabled widows benefits and the marriage penalty for disabled adult children. They both sound very technical, but they are both indefensible and hurt innocent people.
3 comments:
"the actuarial penalty for disabled widows benefits and the marriage penalty for disabled adult children. They both sound very technical, but they are both indefensible and hurt innocent people."
A disabled widow receives 71.5% of the PIA and a non disabled widow receives the same at age 60, so why should a disabled widow receive more. The disabled widow will be eligible for Medicare in 24months. The non disabled widow must wait until age 65. So who is getting a bigger break?
If a disabled adult child marries someone other than a Social Security beneficiary, the benefit terminates. If the person marries, it should be the spouse's responsibility to support them, since they are no longer dependent on the parent.
I agree. Both provisions are "defensible." Disabled widow and disabled adult child benefits are not applicable to people who have earned their own disability benefit by working.
Nearly all of the NASI proposals involve easing benefit eligibility requirements or increasing benefits, but not one proposal discusses how the increased demands on the SSA Trust Fund and SSI increases will be paid for. Do the NASI people think money grows on trees?
Post a Comment