Social Security

Lawrence, Mass., has struggled to find its economic base since the decline of manufacturing. While the city is witnessing pockets of investment, as of August 2019, one-third of Lawrence's children lived in poverty, 36 percent of residents received aid und

National

U.S. Census Bureau Reports Poverty Rate Down, But Millions Still Poor

5:11pm September 10, 2019

by Pam Fessler

While the poverty rate finally fell to prerecession levels in 2018, the number of people without health insurance increased, and about one in eight Americans still lived below the poverty line.

Many Americans with disabilities who live in rural areas of the U.S. said it would be a challenge for them to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, according to the results of a new poll.

Rural Health: Financial Insecurity Plagues Many Who Live With Disability

7:35pm June 12, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Having to come up with $1,000 unexpectedly can be a challenge for anyone. NPR's recent poll on rural health found that especially true for one group: people with disabilities.

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The Social Security Administration didn't deduct premiums from some seniors' Social Security checks that were supposed to pay for Medicare Advantage and private drug coverage.

Health & Safety

Social Security Error Jeopardizes Medicare Coverage For 250,000 Seniors

3:50pm June 06, 2019

by Susan Jaffe

A billing glitch could cause lapses in private drug policies and Medicare Advantage plans that provide both medical and drug coverage. Premiums weren't deducted from some Social Security checks.

Izzie with her service dog, Zandra. Spinergy welcomed Zandra, who is able to retrieve things when Izzie drops them.

Many Are Replacing Disability Checks With Paychecks

10:15pm May 22, 2019

by Scott Horsley

The nation's disability rolls swelled during the Great Recession. But more disabled people are now finding work, and employers are more willing to make allowances, thanks to the tight job market.

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"Democrats call it 'Medicare-for-all' because it sounds good, but in reality, it actually ends Medicare in its current form," Speaker of the House Paul Ryan asserted in a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 8.

GOP Revives Medicare Scare Tactics As Election Nears

1:35pm October 30, 2018

by Julie Rovner

Democrats are hammering Republicans over their efforts to eliminate insurance protections for pre-existing conditions. Republicans are telling seniors their Medicare coverage may be in danger.

President Trump stands beside Republican Troy Balderson, running in Ohio's 12th Congressional District, during a rally Saturday in Ohio.

Politics & Government

Ohio Special Election: 4 Lessons Both Parties Are Learning For The Midterms

10:59am August 08, 2018

by Domenico Montanaro

There were lots of takeaways from Tuesday's election, from whether Republicans should stand with President Trump or whether attacks on Nancy Pelosi work, to which issues really matter to voters.

Anti-government protesters gather below the one metal tree sculpture remaining after pulling down a second one, a monument that is emblematic of the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, at the Jean Paul Jennie round-about in Managua, Nicaragu

World News

Nicaragua's President Withdraws Social Security Reforms That Sparked Violent Unrest

9:40pm April 22, 2018

by Alexis Diao

A local human rights group says at least 25 people have been killed, and that the government is to blame. Now, President Daniel Ortega has called off the planned changes to the welfare program.

Equifax says the newly identified users had some driver's license information stolen but not their Social Security numbers.

Economy

Equifax Says 2.4 Million More People Were Impacted By Huge 2017 Breach

6:07pm March 01, 2018

by Merrit Kennedy

This announcement brings the total number impacted by the massive hack to about 148 million people and renews lawmakers' scrutiny of the company's response to the data theft.

Eric Conn, who was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison after fleeing justice this summer, has been arrested in Honduras. He's seen here in a photo released by the Public Ministry of Honduras.

U.S. Fugitive Eric Conn, Guilty In $550 Million Fraud, Is Captured In Honduras

11:17am December 05, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Eric Conn had been under house arrest when he cut off his ankle monitor and left it in a backpack along I-75 in Kentucky. He was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison.

Equifax is facing criticism because after the security incident it chose to create an entirely new domain for customers to check whether they were affected.

National

After Massive Data Breach, Equifax Directed Customers To Fake Site

6:40pm September 21, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The credit reporting agency set up a website to help people determine whether they had been affected by a cyberattack. But on Twitter, Equifax repeatedly pointed people to a phishing site.