You Earned This: The Social Security & Medicare Podcast!

Martin O'Malley warns Americans that their Social Security benefits are threatened by Trump & Musk's interference at the Social Security Administration, the agency he led under President Biden. The former commissioner says that Elon Musk wants to "destroy" Social Security and that the world's richest man "believes older and disabled beneficiaries are a waste." Using a phony hunt for 'fraud' as a cover, the Trump administration is s...

Laura Haltzel resigned from the Social Security Administration (SSA) at the end of February. In this exclusive on-the-record interview, she speaks out against Trump/Musk/DOGE abuses at SSA from an insider's eyewitness view. She says that "Mayhem is the M.O." of the new administration --- and that employees and the public are being hurt.  She believes that Musk's real agenda is to cut Social Security in a back-door way, while preten...

Ann Crittenden was a correspondent for the New York Times in the late 70s and early 80s. She left the paper to care for her newborn son --- and later become an advocate for the millions of Americans who stay at home to care for kids, elderly parents, or other relatives in need. Author of the 2001 best-seller, "The Price of Motherhood," Ann says it's finally time that our society placed more value on caregiving --- and caregivers!  ...

Tom Harkin is very concerned about the future of Social Security. In this episode, the former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate says seniors and their advocates must go on OFFENSE to protect the program from Donald Trump & Elon Musk. Otherwise, he says, they will "terminate Social Security as we know it." The Senator also sees nefarious motives behind Musk's getting access to Americans' sensitive personal data. "He w...

Jon Bauman is best known for his 50s greaser character, Bowzer, from the band Sha Na Na and tv show of the same name. In addition to his career as an entertainer, Jon is an outspoken advocate for Social Security and Medicare! In this episode of the podcast, he tells us how we can save Americans' earned benefits during the Trump/Musk regime.  We also hear how Bowzer went from Doo Wop revivalist to seniors' activist. If you're wonder...

A new survey released by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) confirms that majorities of Americans across party lines support Social Security --- and do not want to see benefits cut.  In fact, most people are willing to pay more into Social Security to strengthen it for the future.  On this episode, NIRS research director Tyler Bond tells us that while policymakers in Washington are seriously divided, the public is...

Medicare Advantage (MA) boasts about its extra dental, vision, and hearing coverage. But a new study says that MA patients do not access these types of care any more often than traditional Medicare beneficiaries do, while paying about the same in out-of-pocket costs.  Meanwhile, the government pays private MA insurers MORE per patient than for traditional Medicare. The study's author, Dr. Lisa Simon of Mass General Brigham, tells u...

We shouldn't fear older age, but embrace it, says AARP's chief public policy expert, Dr. Debra Whitman. In her new book, she writes that life after 50 can be fulfilling and rewarding.  But for everyone to age more securely, we must defeat ageism --- which costs our country socially and financially! In this episode, Dr. Whitman shares helpful insights for aging Americans and their loved ones from the recently published,"The Second F...

Here's a holiday gift for our listeners --- a sampler of some of the best episodes of 2024! Featuring VIP guests Jim Roosevelt (grandson of FDR), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. John Larson, and Bill Arnone (former aide to RFK, Sr.) Plus top experts with insights & helpful advice for seniors & their families on Social Security, Medicare, Aging, and Prescription Drug Costs! Don't miss this year-end wrap, because "You Earned This!" ...

Judge David S. Tatel is a senior with an inspiring story to tell. He was the first blind judge to sit on a federal appeals court --- the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. In this episode, Judge Tatel renders opinions on the direction of the Supreme Court, the personal growth that can come with aging, and the life-changing experience of working with his seeing-eye dog, Vixen! His new memoir, "Vision," has been calle...

Millions of public sector employees & their families cannot collect Social Security because of the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset). But that may soon change.  The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has been at the forefront of the fight to repeal WEP & GPO.  Their chief lobbyist, Jeff Cruz, says we are one step closer after House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. J...

In 2018, Doug Jones became the first Democrat to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in more than 20 years.  Now he's an ardent supporter of Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates for Congress.  He says that Social Security and Medicare are two huge issues for seniors in this election. And he's bullish on the Democrats' chances.  A great conversation with Senator Jones on the eve of the 2024 vote!

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Social Security is a lifeline for many Americans, but especially for women and communities of color --- who may not have as much retirement income as other groups. Tracey Gronniger of Justice in Aging says cutting Social Security would be tremendously unfair to the communities who depend on it most. This is crucial for voters to keep in mind as they cast ballots in the 2024 elections. Part of our Vote4SocialSecurity 2024 public awa...