BCTGM-ARA: Senate Finance Chairman Unveils Plan to Give Seniors a Payment of $300

[Omaha Steve]

No link. Got this in an E mail.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Senate Finance Chairman Unveils Plan to Give Seniors a Payment of $300

Many retirees would receive a one-time payment of $300 under a plan unveiled today by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). Baucus’ proposal is part of an economic stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and includes $275 billion in tax cuts and investments that will provide relief for seniors and working families, while creating jobs in fields like green energy, highways, and health care. Baucus’ proposal includes a one-time payment of $300 to Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries. It would also provide a one-time payment of $300 to veterans receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The plan, which the Finance Committee will formally consider on January 27, also contains approximately $180 billion in additional investments to help Americans who have lost their jobs keep their health care coverage and find new work, and to inject cash into struggling state economies. Also, the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a separate and additional package of spending proposals.

Obama Inauguration Brings Together All Generations

On Tuesday, an exuberant crowd braved frigid temperatures to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States. D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty estimated Tuesday's crowd at "roughly" 1.8 million, shattering the previous record of 1.2 million for President Lyndon Johnson's 1965 inauguration, according to USA Today. A mosaic of smiling faces of all ages stretched across the national mall as far as the eye could see. After the swearing-in ceremony, 265 union members participated in the official inaugural parade for President Obama. The contingent of union members taking part in the parade included members from the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and the National Education Association. With 15 union members riding a union-made float and 250 marchers alongside, the workers’ contingent was one of the largest groups in the parade. It was also the first time in recent memory that workers have participated in the parade. Bowie, Maryland resident Jimmy Allen rode on the float and represented the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Alliance Lobby Week Toolkit Now Available

Alliance members worked hard to elect a senior-friendly Congress. Alliance Lobby Week, February 16-20 will be an excellent opportunity to meet with your elected officials to once again say that seniors are counting on them to improve Medicare and Social Security and lower the cost of prescription drugs. After that week, U.S. Senators and Representatives will return to Washington for a congressional agenda that is expected to include health care reform and other key retiree issues. The Alliance has prepared a Lobby Week Toolkit, which provides materials to help make Lobby Week a success, from setting up appointments to letting the national Alliance know how your visit went. There are talking points, a sample agenda, and follow-up advice, as well as updated legislative issue briefs on: stopping Medicare privatization, long term care, the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, retirees’ stake in health care reform, and seniors and the economy. For a copy of the toolkit, visit http://www.retiredamericans.org.

For more information on participation, please call: 1-888-373-6497, option #1, or email [email protected]. "Among our goals are to form a Seniors' Advisory Committee, which can be a vehicle to keep our leaders regularly informed on our positions, including creating a health care system that covers all Americans," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. "We want to end Medicare privatization and Medicare Advantage overpayment subsidies, stop Social Security privatization or benefits cuts, and create a Medicare Part D program that works for seniors, not drug and insurance companies."

Seniors Underutilizing the VA's "Aid and Attendance Benefit"

According to the Veterans Administration, many veterans and their families are not familiar with a program to help with out-of-pocket medical expenses. A handbook from the eldercare services company Aging with Grace can provide more information on the "Aid and Attendance Benefit," including tips on completing the necessary forms. The guidebook is available free of charge to those with an Aging with Grace membership, which is available at a discount to those in the Alliance. For additional information call toll free 1-866-570-8588 or visit http://www.agingwithgrace.net/veteranbenefit.php .

Florida Alliance's "Burning Issues Symposium" Gathers a Substantial Crowd

Florida Alliance (FLARA) President Tony Fransetta participated as a panelist in the 18th Annual Burning Issues Symposium on Tuesday at the West Palm Beach Community College. Mr. Fransetta extolled the success of Social Security and Medicare and suggested building on the success of those programs. He also reminded the crowd of more than 50 attendees of the Alliance Executive Board’s unanimous support for both universal health care and the nationwide implementation of computerized medical records.

Reminder: 2009 Alliance Legislative Conference June 15-18, 2009

In the wake of November's historic elections, the Alliance has moved up its 2009 Legislative Conference to June 15-18 in Washington, DC. Alliance members will have the opportunity to hear from leading members of the Obama administration, organize grassroots activities to improve Medicare and strengthen retirement security, and lobby on Capitol Hill. In seminars, sessions, and one-on-one meetings, you will be key in ensuring that seniors get the change we fought for in 2008. Registration details will be available in the coming weeks.


Did You Know—
In fiscal year 2007, 1,225 employers voluntarily ended their pension plans with assets sufficient to disburse all benefits earned to workers (U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.).

[Historic NY]

1. Oh just great there are seniors on disability with tax free pensions who get nothing.

I've not got one of the last 2 stimulus checks. We are excluded due to the fact we don't file a tax return that shows income. My buddy a revenuer tried to find a way but like I told him I don't exist. I pay all kinds of other taxes but am excluded from filing a IRS return.

[12string]

2. stimulus

I'm on s.s.disability.had not filed since 1995.filed last year and got stimulus check.

[Historic NY]

3. not collecting SS yet its been 4 yrs. of waiting.

[Omaha Steve]

4. This goes to Social Security and rail workers pensioners

Baucus’ proposal includes a one-time payment of $300 to Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries.