Democratic Platform On Social Security

     During the Republican National Convention, I had quoted what the GOP platform said about Social Security. Here's what the Democratic platform says about Social Security:

We believe every American deserves a secure, healthy, and dignified retirement. America’s seniors have earned their Medicare and Social Security through a lifetime of hard work and personal responsibility. President Obama is committed to preserving that promise for this and future generations.

During their working years, Americans contribute to Social Security in exchange for a promise that they will receive an income in retirement. Unlike those in the other party, we will find a solution to protect Social Security for future generations. We will block Republican efforts to subject Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market through privatization. We reject approaches that insist that cutting benefits is the only answer. President Obama will also make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement and prepare for unforeseen expenses by participating in retirement accounts at work. ...

In short, Democrats believe that Social Security and Medicare must be kept strong for seniors, people with disabilities, and future generations. Our opponents have shown a shocking willingness to gut these programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest, and we fundamentally reject that approach.

Ammunition Purchase Still Attracting Attention

     The story about Social Security's purchase of 174,000 rounds of ammunition isn't going away. This will fuel conspiracy theorists for years.

     Update: This story turned up in Jay Leno's monologue.  You first heard about this story here on August 20, 2009. Why did it take so long for everyone else to notice? How long will it take for people to notice the most plausible explanation for purchasing so much ammunition?

Another Field Office To Close

    The Jenkintown, PA Social Security field office is closing at the end of this month. The local Congresswoman isn't happy.

Processing Time Report

     Below is a report showing the average processing time at each of Social Security's hearing offices.This is from the newsletter of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). Click on each page to view at full size.

     Despite a lot of work, there are massive differences between offices and regions. Why is it taking almost 100 days longer to get a hearing in the Kansas City region than in the Dallas region? Why is it taking 306 days on average to get a hearing in Greenville, SC but in Columbia, SC, only 103 miles away, it takes 406 days?

President Eisenhower Signing 1954 Legislation Creating Social Security Earnings Record Freeze For Disability

     Apparently, no photo exists of Eisenhower signing the 1956 act that added cash Disability Insurance Benefits to the Social Security Act. Eisenhower signed the 1956 bill with some reluctantance. It appears that he did not want a photograph taken.

Then Current And Former Commissioners Of Social Security Displaying The Newly Independent Agency's Seal

George W. Bush Campaigning For Partial Prizatizaton Of Social Security

Unemployment Benefits and Disability

     From Overlapping Disability and Unemployment Benefits Should be Evaluated for Potential Savings, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study:

In fiscal year 2010, 117,000 individuals received concurrent cash benefit payments from the Disability Insurance (DI) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs of more than $850 million, which is allowable in certain circumstances under current program authority. While these individuals represented less than 1 percent of the total beneficiaries of both programs, the cash benefits they received totaled over $281 million from DI and more than $575 million from UI. ...

Under certain circumstances, individuals may be eligible for concurrent cash benefit payments due to differences in DI and UI eligibility requirements. Specifically, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of a disability involves work that does not rise to the level of substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2010, a monthly income of $1,000 or more for a non-blind beneficiary generally demonstrated SGA. In contrast, the Department of Labor allows states’ determination of “able and available for work” eligibility criteria for UI benefits to include work that does not rise to the level of SGA. ... Reducing or eliminating overlapping or improper payments could offer substantial savings, though actual savings are difficult to estimate because the potential costs of establishing mechanisms to do so are not readily available.