2014 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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Which of the following most closely represents the amount that the 1.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increased your monthly benefit for 2014?
Less than $19.00
$19.10 - $29.00
$29.10 - $39.00
More than $39.00
Which of the following most closely represents the amount your total monthly expenses increased during 2013?
$0 - $39.00
$39.01 - $79.00
$79.01 - $119.00
More than $119.00
Of the percentages shown below, which most closely represents the total portion of your Social Security payments that you spend on all healthcare costs? (Please include the cost of premiums, deductibles, co-pays and uncovered costs.)
10% or less
11% - 33%
34% - 50%
51% - 99%
100% or more
Major Medicare changes are currently being discussed as a means to lower government spending and debt. The following proposals are under consideration. Please check the column that most closely agrees with how you feel about the proposal.
Gradually raise the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Further increase Medicare premiums for wealthier beneficiaries. (Seniors with incomes higher than $85,000 already pay higher premiums.)
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Require all beneficiaries to pay a $550 deductible out-of-pocket and restrict supplements and health plans from covering the cost.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Require all beneficiaries to pay new 20% co-insurance or co-pays for all services, including home healthcare and skilled nursing facilities, that have no cost-sharing now.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Ramp up Medicare anti-fraud efforts.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Promote better integration of care to reduce duplication of tests, services, and expensive imaging.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Replace Medicare with a system of private health plans. Medicare beneficiaries would receive a premium subsidy or voucher from the government to shop for a new health plan on Medicare health exchange.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Proposals to change Social Security are also under debate. Please check the column that most closely agrees with how you feel about the proposal.
Require workers with incomes higher than $117,000 to pay Social Security taxes on up to $177,500 in wages instead.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Require workers with incomes higher than $117,000 to pay Social Security taxes on all of their wages.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
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.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Prohibit payment of Social Security benefits that are calculated on earnings from unauthorized work of illegal immigrants.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Reduce the rate of growth in the COLA by switching to a more slowly growing cost-of-living index.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Change the benefit formula so that it reduces the benefits of workers with high incomes.
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Please answer the following questions only if you are under the age of 65 in 2014 and you are not covered by insurance from Medicare, an employer, or Medicaid.
Did you receive a letter from your insurance company saying that your health plan would no longer be offered in 2014?
Yes
No
If you are under the age of 65 in 2014 and have no health insurance, have you attempted to use the new federal healthcare exchange, www.Healthcare.Gov to shop for coverage? Please check the statement that most closely corresponds with your experience.
Yes. I’ve successfully enrolled in a new health plan using the federal website or phone counselors.
Yes, but I’m unable to use www.Healthcare.Gov. I have not yet enrolled in a new health plan.
No. I haven’t used the web site, but I’m shopping for insurance from agents and insurance companies. I have enrolled in a new plan.
No. I was able to renew my 2013 health plan through most of 2014.
No. I haven’t done anything yet.
Based on what you know about “Obamacare” please check the column that most closely corresponds with what you’ve learned about the program.
There’s a good selection of plans available to me.
Agree
Disagree
Don’t Know
I qualify for a premium subsidy to lower the cost of my premium.
Agree
Disagree
Don't Know
The premiums are unaffordable even with subsidies!
Agree
Disagree
Don't Know
The deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are too high to provide good coverage.
Agree
Disagree
Don't Know
I know others who have successfully enrolled.
Agree
Disagree
Don't Know
Are you retired military:
Yes
No
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