Hi Charles, Are you working with SSA? It seems like you much be given the precision of your comment. To be clear, I'm trying to help the Agency get the funding it needs by pointing out the abuse it's imposing on the public. Yes, everything should work as you write, but nothing does. Pls read my book with Terry Savage -- Social Security Horror Stories (see socialsecurityhorrorstories.com). Even if SSA was doing its job correctly, it would still be violating the requirement of upholding equity and good conscience. You don't withhold benefits and healthcare from a Jessica -- even if she overearned a few bucks -- unless you are Vladimir Putin. Happy to discuss. 617 834-2148. Clearly, Jessica's parents don't know where to turn. You may be able to help. best, Larry
Hi Bill, I'm actually fully with you. (Pete Peterson, btw, is dead many a year now.) Pls read the chapter on reforming SS in my free book, You're Hired, posted at kotlikoff.net. Wall Street has nothing to do with the reform being proposed. The whole system can be run on my laptop. best, Larry
Outrageous. I first read of the claw back issue just as the SSA demanded I repay an over-payment from 12 years ago, in which I never received due process. I requested to make a $175 per month payment to settle. The person I made the request through said I was in the wrong office (I assumed a Federal administration was not territorial). I then followed up at the other office to make sure I hadn't been gas-lighted. I was told it was accepted. The the SSA sent a letter saying it wasn't. Then they sent a letter saying it was. The bureaucracy should not be so difficult to deal with. Firm policies with training should be able to handle even the most complex issue no matter how many millions of people are involved. As Larry say, "The whole system can be run on my laptop." I took the simple approach with the highest expectation of a result, but for many these clawbacks with total benefit cutbacks should result in termination of the employees who instigate them, and the supervisors who let them pass.
Larry: My niece, who passed this year, had Turners Syndrome, Turners is a lot like Downs, dwarfism, but very intelligent, but emotionally needy she was a GS-13, for SSA, a systems analyst and a supervisor. I had a nephew, Kevin, who had Downs and he was the most delightful person I knew and worked bagging groceries and stocking shelves. Both died in their 50's.
I have no doubt that there are screw ups in Federal Agencies. I have a 26 yr career as an officer in the Air Force, and had civil servants work for me, impossible to fire, almost.
On the other hand Social Security is a life line for Seniors that had not the ability or werewithal to set aside for retirement, and the stock market is a gambling den, millions of middle class Americans that have invested in the stock market through their employers, like ENRON, have found themselves dependent on relatives in old age, on the streets or dead.
Pete Peterson, Jaime Dimon, et al are salivating to get their filthy fingers on the SSA trust fund and our monthly Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA.. NOT a payroll tax for the employee), so they can juice the stock market, gambling with out money, and rake off commissions. SSA has a 3% overhead, and is non profit. Financial Institutions rake 25% for "admin fees and profits for stock holders".
I've been reading your consistent attacks on Social Security and can only surmise that you are among those that wish to privatize SS, feather their nest and kick old birds out of the nest.
Before Commissioner O’Malley made changes in recovering overpayments beneficiaries were provided due process in writing which stated benefits would continue uninterrupted if a timely request for appeal was made within 30 days.
Even if an appeal was filled AFTER 30 days benefits would be immediately reinstated. And, some or all benefits that have been recovered would be refunded so as to prevent undue hardship. Employees at SSA are keenly aware most beneficiaries have no other income. They apply good judgment to avoid unnecessary hardships. I am not aware of anyone who lost their home, apartment, etc. because SSA refused to pay benefits to someone rightfully entitled.
IRWEs can be considered if the expenses are needed in order for the beneficiary to be able to work. A reasonable standard should be applied here. IRWE claimed should be reasonable and evidence maybe required for some of the expenses claimed.
If it is found IRWE reduces earnings to below SGA before the expiration of the 36 month Extended Period of Eligibility, the cessation determination will be reopened and benefits reinstated as well as Medicare coverage. In cases where benefits do terminate due to SGA, Medicare will continue for additional seven years.
The reason for the conflicting notices is because in some instances both the field office and central office processed an SGA determination for the same case.
Keep in mind these cases are complex and require detailed review of monthly wage reports, work reports, payment records and IRWE evidence going back several years.
SSA employees are dedicated, honest hard working people. Due a myriad of political and budgeting factors, staffing and morale are at an all time low. Im sure you are well aware of the negative impact our agency has had because of the lack of adequate funding over the years.
Jessica’s case will be resolved. In the meantime the field office can and should immediately reinstate her benefits during the appeals period.
Hi Charles, Are you working with SSA? It seems like you much be given the precision of your comment. To be clear, I'm trying to help the Agency get the funding it needs by pointing out the abuse it's imposing on the public. Yes, everything should work as you write, but nothing does. Pls read my book with Terry Savage -- Social Security Horror Stories (see socialsecurityhorrorstories.com). Even if SSA was doing its job correctly, it would still be violating the requirement of upholding equity and good conscience. You don't withhold benefits and healthcare from a Jessica -- even if she overearned a few bucks -- unless you are Vladimir Putin. Happy to discuss. 617 834-2148. Clearly, Jessica's parents don't know where to turn. You may be able to help. best, Larry
Hi Bill, I'm actually fully with you. (Pete Peterson, btw, is dead many a year now.) Pls read the chapter on reforming SS in my free book, You're Hired, posted at kotlikoff.net. Wall Street has nothing to do with the reform being proposed. The whole system can be run on my laptop. best, Larry
Outrageous. I first read of the claw back issue just as the SSA demanded I repay an over-payment from 12 years ago, in which I never received due process. I requested to make a $175 per month payment to settle. The person I made the request through said I was in the wrong office (I assumed a Federal administration was not territorial). I then followed up at the other office to make sure I hadn't been gas-lighted. I was told it was accepted. The the SSA sent a letter saying it wasn't. Then they sent a letter saying it was. The bureaucracy should not be so difficult to deal with. Firm policies with training should be able to handle even the most complex issue no matter how many millions of people are involved. As Larry say, "The whole system can be run on my laptop." I took the simple approach with the highest expectation of a result, but for many these clawbacks with total benefit cutbacks should result in termination of the employees who instigate them, and the supervisors who let them pass.
Larry: My niece, who passed this year, had Turners Syndrome, Turners is a lot like Downs, dwarfism, but very intelligent, but emotionally needy she was a GS-13, for SSA, a systems analyst and a supervisor. I had a nephew, Kevin, who had Downs and he was the most delightful person I knew and worked bagging groceries and stocking shelves. Both died in their 50's.
I have no doubt that there are screw ups in Federal Agencies. I have a 26 yr career as an officer in the Air Force, and had civil servants work for me, impossible to fire, almost.
On the other hand Social Security is a life line for Seniors that had not the ability or werewithal to set aside for retirement, and the stock market is a gambling den, millions of middle class Americans that have invested in the stock market through their employers, like ENRON, have found themselves dependent on relatives in old age, on the streets or dead.
Pete Peterson, Jaime Dimon, et al are salivating to get their filthy fingers on the SSA trust fund and our monthly Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA.. NOT a payroll tax for the employee), so they can juice the stock market, gambling with out money, and rake off commissions. SSA has a 3% overhead, and is non profit. Financial Institutions rake 25% for "admin fees and profits for stock holders".
I've been reading your consistent attacks on Social Security and can only surmise that you are among those that wish to privatize SS, feather their nest and kick old birds out of the nest.
Greetings Larry.
Before Commissioner O’Malley made changes in recovering overpayments beneficiaries were provided due process in writing which stated benefits would continue uninterrupted if a timely request for appeal was made within 30 days.
Even if an appeal was filled AFTER 30 days benefits would be immediately reinstated. And, some or all benefits that have been recovered would be refunded so as to prevent undue hardship. Employees at SSA are keenly aware most beneficiaries have no other income. They apply good judgment to avoid unnecessary hardships. I am not aware of anyone who lost their home, apartment, etc. because SSA refused to pay benefits to someone rightfully entitled.
IRWEs can be considered if the expenses are needed in order for the beneficiary to be able to work. A reasonable standard should be applied here. IRWE claimed should be reasonable and evidence maybe required for some of the expenses claimed.
If it is found IRWE reduces earnings to below SGA before the expiration of the 36 month Extended Period of Eligibility, the cessation determination will be reopened and benefits reinstated as well as Medicare coverage. In cases where benefits do terminate due to SGA, Medicare will continue for additional seven years.
The reason for the conflicting notices is because in some instances both the field office and central office processed an SGA determination for the same case.
Keep in mind these cases are complex and require detailed review of monthly wage reports, work reports, payment records and IRWE evidence going back several years.
SSA employees are dedicated, honest hard working people. Due a myriad of political and budgeting factors, staffing and morale are at an all time low. Im sure you are well aware of the negative impact our agency has had because of the lack of adequate funding over the years.
Jessica’s case will be resolved. In the meantime the field office can and should immediately reinstate her benefits during the appeals period.
Charles