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she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930's everyone thought she was a very good singer. she started to rise to fame in 1920's and was very successfull.

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My interest in music

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Smith defied racial barriers through the force of her indomitable personality and self-confident artistry.

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“Bessie Smith.” Visit the Main Page, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bessie_Smith#:~:text=Smith’s%20wrenching%20blues%20expressed%20the,personality%20and%20self%2Dconfident%20artistry. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.

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A pioneering artist and leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Smith defied racial barriers through the force of her indomitable personality and self-confident artistry.

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“Bessie Smith.” Visit the Main Page, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bessie_Smith. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.

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Bessie Smith has inspired a lot of young African Americans during the Harlem renaissance she had a lot of fans look up to her she had won many rewards and was known as the 'Empress of the blues"

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the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.

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What Great Depression issue is it trying to address/solve? (3 R’s)

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What Great Depression issue is it trying to address/solve? (3 R’s)

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Reform is to have a financial system to keep the economy stable long term

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How effective was your program in the short term? If the program is around today, how effective is it today?

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How effective was your program in the short term? If the program is around today, how effective is it today?

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This program has been successfull over the years " play a vital role in reducing poverty in every state, and they lift more people above the poverty line than any other program in the United States." and also it allows younger people to work early since the job market isnt full of people,

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What changes has the program seen over time? Why?

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What changes has the program seen over time? Why?

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inflation has impacted social security and because of this social security are gonna have to raise their prices.

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How was the program received? (was it supported or did it receive pushback?)

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How was the program received? (was it supported or did it receive pushback?)

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it was received quite well most American supported this act because they were getting money for their future and they liked that but also some people didn't like it for example labor groups and social workers.

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Connection to today with a current event (if it no longer exists, is there something around trying to address the same problem?)

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Connection to today with a current event (if it no longer exists, is there something around trying to address the same problem?)

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In the year 2024 f more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent to balance out with inflation so now social security is gonna cost more.

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/ CBS News

This week on 60 Minutes, correspondent Anderson Cooper reports on what happens when Social Security overpays people who receive benefits. Beneficiaries may find out years later that they owe tens of thousands of dollars-even if it was not their fault.

During the 2021 fiscal year alone, the agency estimates it made approximately $6 billion in overpayments, according to a report by the Social Security Administration's inspector general.

While researching the story, the 60 Minutes team, including producer Andy Court and associate producer Annabelle Hanflig, asked experienced professionals in the field: What can people do to reduce the chances of getting an unexpected bill from Social Security? Here are some of those tips.

Retirement benefits

If you receive Social Security retirement benefits, one of the best ways to prevent overpayments is to check the earnings history Social Security has on record for you. You can do this before you retire.

How much Social Security should pay when you retire is determined by how much you contribute in payroll taxes while you're working. If the agency has the wrong information, you may face problems years later. You can find the information on your annual Social Security statements or on your My Social Security account on the Social Security Administration's website.

If you are nearing retirement or have already retired, there are products that can help you figure out how much you should be getting. A program called Maximize My Social Security lets you analyze complex scenarios, like when you and your spouse should claim retirement benefits, since who claims first and when can make a big difference. The program costs $39 a year.

AARP also has a free basic Social Security calculator to determine how much you should be getting.

Specialists 60 Minutes spoke with advised that all recipients should figure out what they should be receiving because it can take the Social Security Administration years to catch mistakes.

Non-covered pension plan

If you work in the public sector-for example, as a teacher or a firefighter-it's important to know whether you're part of a non-covered pension plan.

If you are, instead of paying into the Social Security system, you are paying into a pension plan run by a state or local government. When you retire, you must tell Social Security about this non-covered pension money. If you don't and you receive Social Security from another job you had, you may end up being overpaid.

Social Security disability benefits

If you're receiving Social Security disability benefits and decide to go back to work, you need to be extra careful. After an initial trial work period is over, you cannot make more than a set amount per month, or you will no longer be eligible for disability benefits. That monthly income limit is called Substantial Gainful Activity. The monthly limit for 2023 is $1,470 for non-blind recipients, but the amount changes each year.

If you are receiving both Social Security disability benefits and worker's comp, you must report the worker's comp. If you don't, you may end up owing Social Security a lot of money.

Supplemental Security Income

One of the largest sources of overpayments comes from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program for people with low incomes who are elderly or disabled. Because the eligibility guidelines have not been updated for inflation in many years, the threshold for eligibility is becoming more stringent. if your individual assets go above $2,000, you no longer qualify for benefits.

The rules for SSI can be complex. For example, if you're homeless and you sleep on a friend's couch, you must declare the value of that couch.

If you qualify for a full subsidy of your Medicare Part D premiums, then you also qualify for a $10 per month repayment program. That means Social Security won't charge you more than $10 a month to recoup your overpayment. But you must contact Social Security and ask them for it. If you ignore the overpayment notice, the agency might stop your checks entirely.

Underpayment

Just as some people are overpaid, Social Security also underpays recipients. According to a report by the agency's inspector general, Social Security underpaid recipients by $1.4 billion during the 2021 fiscal year.

When this happens, Social Security is supposed to alert people and pay the remainder of the money. But your chances of getting that money are greater if you figure out that you should be receiving more and initiate the correction process with Social Security.

When you notice a mistake

If you notice a mistake-whether it is with the earnings history Social Security has for you, or with the payments Social Security is sending-you must let the agency know about it as soon as possible. Experts told 60 Minutes that you must be persistent and continue alerting the agency until you know they have fixed the error.

They also advised that you keep records of all your communications with the agency, including everything you send and everything you receive. Keep detailed notes on who you talked to, when you talked to them, what they said, and how you can get in touch with them again.

According to legal experts, if you can prove that you alerted Social Security about a mistake and someone at the agency assured you it was fine, then they have given you misinformation. According to the agency's rules, this can be grounds for you to challenge the overpayment and possibly get the repayment waived.

You can contact Social Security by calling or visiting your local field office or by calling the national hotline: 1-800-772-1213.

Finding legal aid

It is often hard for people with overpayment problems to find lawyers to represent them because there is little financial incentive for attorneys to take on these cases. The National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives is an organization for attorneys who handle Social Security cases.

People on SSI often have incomes that qualify them for free legal aid lawyers, some of whom will take on overpayment cases. Additionally, people who are disabled may qualify for free legal help from federally financed protection and advocacy programs throughout the country.
The video above was produced by Brit McCandless Farmer, Will Croxton, Andy Court, and Annabelle Hanflig. It was edited by Sarah Shafer Prediger.

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Social Security overpayments: Tips to prevent them

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Social Security overpays its recipients by billions of dollars every year-and then asks for the money back. Here are some ways experts say you can reduce the chances of it happening to you.

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Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2023

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023.

The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2022. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits)

Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2023.

The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $160,200.

The earnings limit for workers who are younger than "full" retirement age (see Full Retirement Age Chart) will increase to $21,240. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 earned over $21,240.)

The earnings limit for people reaching their "full" retirement age in 2023 will increase to $56,520. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $3 earned over $56,520 until the month the worker turns "full" retirement age.)

There is no limit on earnings for workers who are "full" retirement age or older for the entire year.

Read more about the COLA, tax, benefit and earning amounts for 2023.

Medicare Information

Information about Medicare changes for 2023 is available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, their new higher 2023 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and Message Center.

Your COLA Notice

In December 2022, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their account.

This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later. You can also opt out of receiving notices by mail that are available online. Be sure to choose your preferred way to receive courtesy notifications so you won't miss your secure, convenient online COLA notice.

Remember, our services are free of charge. No government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information or request advanced fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Avoid falling victim to fraudulent calls and internet "phishing" schemes by not revealing personal information, selecting malicious links, or opening malicious attachments. You can learn more about the ways we protect your personal information and account here.

History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA.

The CPI-W is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor. By law, it is the official measure used by the Social Security Administration to calculate COLAs.

Congress enacted the COLA provision as part of the 1972 Social Security Amendments, and automatic annual COLAs began in 1975. Before that, benefits were increased only when Congress enacted special legislation.

Beginning in 1975, Social Security started automatic annual cost-of-living allowances. The change was enacted by legislation that ties COLAs to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The change means that inflation no longer drains value from Social Security benefits.

The 1975-82 COLAs were effective with Social Security benefits payable for June (received by beneficiaries in July) in each of those years. After 1982, COLAs have been effective with benefits payable for December (received by beneficiaries in January).

Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments received since 1975

July 1975 -- 8.0%

July 1976 -- 6.4%

July 1977 -- 5.9%

July 1978 -- 6.5%

July 1979 -- 9.9%

July 1980 -- 14.3%

July 1981 -- 11.2%

July 1982 -- 7.4%

January 1984 -- 3.5%

January 1985 -- 3.5%

January 1986 -- 3.1%

January 1987 -- 1.3%

January 1988 -- 4.2%

January 1989 -- 4.0%

January 1990 -- 4.7%

January 1991 -- 5.4%

January 1992 -- 3.7%

January 1993 -- 3.0%

January 1994 -- 2.6%

January 1995 -- 2.8%

January 1996 -- 2.6%

January 1997 -- 2.9%

January 1998 -- 2.1%

January 1999 -- 1.3%

January 2001 -- 3.5%

January 2002 -- 2.6%

January 2003 -- 1.4%

January 2004 -- 2.1%

January 2005 -- 2.7%

January 2006 -- 4.1%

January 2007 -- 3.3%

January 2008 -- 2.3%

January 2009 -- 5.8%

January 2010 -- 0.0%

January 2011 -- 0.0%

January 2012 -- 3.6%

January 2013 -- 1.7%

January 2014 -- 1.5%

January 2015 -- 1.7%

January 2016 -- 0.0%

January 2017 -- 0.3%

January 2018 -- 2.0%

January 2019 -- 2.8%

January 2020 -- 1.6%

January 2021 -- 1.3%

January 2022 -- 5.9%

January 2023 -- 8.7%

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Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information | SSA

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Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023. The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2022.