By Michelle Di Ionno; The Hill ~ May 25, 2016
In the midst of the chaos of this election cycle, some important themes are emerging. In particular, voters are highly worried about retirement security. Indeed, 91 percent of voters in four swing states agree that most Americans are not prepared for retirement. That’s according to a poll by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), in partnership with veteran Democratic pollster Peter Brodntiz.
By Julie Appleby; Kaiser Health News ~ May 25, 2016
A broad proposal by Medicare to change the way it pays for some drugs has drawn intense reaction and lobbying, with much of the debate centering on whether the plan gives too much power over drug prices to government regulators.
One of most controversial sections would set up a nationwide experiment, scheduled to start in 2017, to test a handful of ways to slow spending on drugs provided in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals and cancer infusion centers.
By Lisa Lambert; Reuters ~ May 24, 2016
The U.S. Senate voted along party lines on Tuesday to repeal a new Labor Department rule on retirement advice after a debate that stretched over the course of the day.
The resolution, approved by a vote of 56 to 41, is a largely symbolic move that President Barack Obama has already threatened to veto. The House of Representatives passed a similar version last month.
By Lisa Lambert & Richard Cowan; Reuters ~ May 23, 2016
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate on Tuesday will take up, and likely pass, a resolution to repeal a new Labor Department rule aimed at protecting retirement savers from profit-hungry brokers, a move that President Barack Obama has threatened to veto.
By Rebecca Moore; Plansponsor ~ May 23, 2016
In growing numbers, North American retirement plan sponsors are seeking to reduce or remove the innate risks in their defined benefit (DB) pension plans.
Challenged by enduring marketplace volatility, escalating longevity and mounting Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums, plan sponsors are recognizing the significant risks caused by their pensions—and the detrimental effects these plans can have on shareholder value.
By Jack Walsworth ; Automotive News ~ May 21, 2016
AT&T has added Volkswagen and Infiniti to its wireless connected-car program and is introducing a new connected-car data plan for existing tablet or smartphone customers with unlimited plans.
AT&T has added Volkswagen and Infiniti to its wireless connected-car program and is introducing a new connected-car data plan for existing tablet or smartphone customers with unlimited plans.
By Bill Hambrecht; San Antonio Express-News ~ May 15, 2016
WASHINGTON – With Congress unwilling to act, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett is marshaling Democrats to pressure the Obama administration to stem the soaring costs of prescription drugs.
Doggett, D-San Antonio, has stepped up efforts to persuade the National Institutes of Health to take the unprecedented step of breaking patents on high-priced pharmaceuticals developed with taxpayer assistance.
By Mary Ellen McIntire and Caitlin Owens, Morning Consult – May 12, 2016
The details of House Republicans’ plan to replace Obamacare are beginning to emerge. Members seemed pleased with what they heard after a closed-door caucus meeting Thursday afternoon at which the leaders of the effort presented their ideas.
The plan, even in its draft stages, touches on all aspects of the healthcare system. It discusses the individual insurance market, updates to Medicaid, and possible changes to Medicare.
Many of the ideas presented at the meeting are consistent with conservative proposals previously floated by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
By Philip Moeller; CNBC ~ May 10, 2016
Among all of Social Security’s arcane rules, secrets, and claiming surprises, the greatest personal revelation to me has been that the agency often gives out confusing, inconsistent, and even flat-out wrong information. Color me naïve, but when I began research for our book, I assumed the Social Security Administration (SSA) was the place to go for accurate information.
By Emily Brandon; US News & World Report ~ May 09, 2016
Medicare provides valuable health insurance to most older Americans. But it also comes with a complicated set of rules and sometimes significant out-of-pocket costs. Here’s what you can expect to pay for Medicare in retirement.
[See: 10 Things You Need to Know About Medicare.]
