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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.
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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?
Stayed the same as 2011
Higher than 2011
Lower than 2011
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.
$1- $15
$16 -$30
$31-$45
$46-$60
More than $60
Did you change drug plans for the year starting January 2012?
Yes
No
If you did not change drug plans for 2012, did any of your following costs increase in 2012? Please check all that apply:
Monthly premiums
Deductible
Co-pays or co-insurance
Dropped coverage of a drug you take
Uncertain about the changes
Did you change Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans for the year starting January 2012?
Yes
No
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:
Monthly premiums
Deductible
Co-pays or co-insurance
Dropped coverage of a drug you take
Uncertain about the changes
How much will the 3.6% COLA increase your monthly benefit in 2012?
$1-$19
$20-$39
$40-$59
$60 or more
How much would you estimate that your total monthly expenses rose in 2011?
$0-$39
$40-$79
$80-$119
More than $119
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.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
To generate jobs, Congress should cut the Social Security payroll tax rate.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
The budget deficit should be reduced by cutting discretionary spending ONLY.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
The budget deficit should be reduced by closing tax loopholes and small revenue increases ONLY
.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
The budget deficit should be reduced with a fair balance of both discretionary spending cuts and modest revenue increases.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
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.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
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.
Agree Strongly
Agree Somewhat
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree Strongly
Don't Know
How would you suggest that Congress fix the federal budget deficit?