Quote: "The Social Security Trustees project that by the end of 2016 the Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund, which operates separately from the retirement and survivors trust fund, will be insolvent, and unable to pay disability benefits in full."
A new poll by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) found that there would be serious financial repercussions for beneficiaries if Congress does not act in time to fix the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
The poll asked "How would a 20% Social Security benefit cut affect you"
The poll was open to current Social Security recipients and anyone with an interest in Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits.
The scenario is not as hypothetical as some may think.
The Social Security Trustees project that by the end of 2016 the Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund, which operates separately from the retirement and survivors trust fund, will be insolvent, and unable to pay disability benefits in full. When that happens disability benefit payments would have to be reduced by about 20% to match tax revenues coming in. "So far Congress has not made public any plan to prevent this from occurring," observes TSCL Chairman, Ed Cates.
Social Security disability benefits are paid for through payroll taxes.
Benefits are calculated based on the disabled worker's earnings history and the length of time worked. A total of 10.9 million disabled beneficiaries receive a monthly benefit averaging about $1,017.
According to TSCL's annual "Senior Survey" conducted earlier this year, nearly one in three survey participants, 31%, said they had no other retirement income, like pensions or savings, in addition to Social Security.
The survey found no support for fixing the Social Security disability or retirement programs by cutting benefits, other than measures to reduce fraud and abuse.
The survey found instead that 70% of respondents support raising the taxable maximum wage cap to apply the Social Security tax to all earnings. Currently the highest income workers, earning more than $118,500 per year, pay nothing on earnings over that amount.
In addition, the survey found that 45% favored very gradually increasing the payroll tax rate by 1% each for all workers and employers versus 30% who opposed the proposal.
"TSCL believes that the Social Security Disability program's solvency can be addressed without benefits cuts, without running down the clock and without turning Social Security into political football," says Cates.
To learn more and to participate in TSCL surveys and polls, visit www.SeniorsLeague.org
• Have your say! Add your comment or discuss this article on our FaceBook Page.
| 1 : 50% of Retirees Saw Little or No COLA Increase in Net 2018 Social Security Benefits : The Senior Citizens League. |
| 2 : US-Born Workers Receive Disability Benefits More Often Than Workers From Abroad : University of Chicago Medical Center. |
| 3 : 2018 COLA - 3rd Year With No Net Growth in Social Security Benefits : The Senior Citizens League. |
| 4 : Social Security Announces 2% COLA Benefit Increase for 2018 : The United States Social Security Administration. |
| 5 : Social Security Task Force Statement on H.R. 2792 : CCD Social Security Task Force. |
| From our U.S. Social Security section - Full List (169 Items) |
Submit disability news, coming events, as well as assistive technology product news and reviews.
Loan Information for low income singles, families, seniors and disabled. Includes home, vehicle and personal loans.
Famous People with Disabilities - Well known people with disabilities and conditions who contributed to society.
List of awareness ribbon colors and their meaning. Also see our calendar of awareness dates.
Blood Pressure Chart - What should your blood pressure be, and information on blood group types/compatibility.