2012 TSCL Senior Survey

Your answers to this survey will help TSCL educate Members of Congress, the media and the public about the views, experiences, and challenges facing seniors as they relate to Medicare and Social Security.

Effective January 1 2012, Social Security benefits increased 3.6%. After deductions for your 2012 Medicare premiums, including Part B, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, and Medigap, what is the effect on your monthly Social Security payment?
If your net monthly Social Security benefit after deduction for Medicare premiums is lower in 2012, how much less per month in Social Security are you receiving? Please check the one answer that most closely matches your situation.
Did you change drug plans for the year starting January 2012?
If you did not change drug plans for 2012, did any of your following costs increase in 2012? Please check all that apply:
Did you change Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans for the year starting January 2012?
If you did not change Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans for 2012 did any of your following costs increase in 2012? Please check all that apply:
How much will the 3.6% COLA increase your monthly benefit in 2012?
How much would you estimate that your total monthly expenses rose in 2011?
Since 2010, Social Security started paying out more in benefits than it receives in cash revenues.  During the recent battle over the debt limit, concern was raised that the government would not have enough cash revenues to cover Social Security payments.  While a debt limit agreement was reached, the legislation required that Congress act on a plan to reduce the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion before automatic cuts would go into effect.  Please read all of the following questions first.  Then go back and select the answers that best reflect your views:
To strengthen Social Security and Medicare, which depend on payroll tax revenues for financing, Congress should focus on getting Americans back to work.
To generate jobs, Congress should cut the Social Security payroll tax rate.
The budget deficit should be reduced by cutting discretionary spending ONLY.
The budget deficit should be reduced by closing tax loopholes and small revenue increases ONLY.
The budget deficit should be reduced with a fair balance of both discretionary spending cuts and modest revenue increases.
With Americans living longer, it would be fair to raise the age for full retirement benefits very gradually, by two months per year, to age 69 for people who are age 49 and younger.
It would be fair to require workers to pay Social Security taxes on all of their income rather than letting some pay nothing on income over $110,000.