You Earned This: The Social Security & Medicare Podcast!

Rep. Maxwell Frost is the first Gen Z member of Congress, but he's fighting for American seniors. Now in his second term, Congressman Frost is helping lead the resistance to the Trump administration's interference in Social Security --- and Republicans attempting to gut Medicaid. Rep. Frost has some solid advice on how to push back without going crazy... in this Encore Episode from February, 2025.

Jon Bauman is best known for his 50s greaser character, Bowzer, from the band Sha Na Na and tv show of the same name. In addition to his career as an entertainer, Jon is an outspoken advocate for Social Security and Medicare! In this episode of the podcast, he tells us how we can save Americans' earned benefits during the Trump/Musk regime.  We also hear how Bowzer went from Doo Wop revivalist to...

The Trump administration is starting to do to Medicare and Medicaid what it's been doing to Social Security.  Plus, Republicans in Congress want to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the rich. Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi tells us it's a time to be concerned for the future of these programs --- and take action to defend them. He also has reservations abo...

In this special episode, host Walter Gottlieb and digital media manager Shahab Shokouhi answer your questions & school the trolls from our Facebook page. Questions include:  Will Social Security still be there for me? How much money is in the trust fund? And when will people formerly limited by WEP & GPO get their checks?  We also answer the Facebook trolls who insist we are "commie Democrats spre...

Martin O'Malley warns Americans that their Social Security benefits are threatened by Trump & Musk's interference at the Social Security Administration, the agency he led under President Biden. The former commissioner says that Elon Musk wants to "destroy" Social Security and that the world's richest man "believes older and disabled beneficiaries are a waste." Using a phony hunt for 'fraud' as a c...

Laura Haltzel resigned from the Social Security Administration (SSA) at the end of February. In this exclusive on-the-record interview, she speaks out against Trump/Musk/DOGE abuses at SSA from an insider's eyewitness view. She says that "Mayhem is the M.O." of the new administration --- and that employees and the public are being hurt.  She believes that Musk's real agenda is to cut Social Securi...

Ann Crittenden was a correspondent for the New York Times in the late 70s and early 80s. She left the paper to care for her newborn son --- and later become an advocate for the millions of Americans who stay at home to care for kids, elderly parents, or other relatives in need. Author of the 2001 best-seller, "The Price of Motherhood," Ann says it's finally time that our society placed more value...

Tom Harkin is very concerned about the future of Social Security. In this episode, the former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate says seniors and their advocates must go on OFFENSE to protect the program from Donald Trump & Elon Musk. Otherwise, he says, they will "terminate Social Security as we know it." The Senator also sees nefarious motives behind Musk's getting access to Americ...

Jon Bauman is best known for his 50s greaser character, Bowzer, from the band Sha Na Na and tv show of the same name. In addition to his career as an entertainer, Jon is an outspoken advocate for Social Security and Medicare! In this episode of the podcast, he tells us how we can save Americans' earned benefits during the Trump/Musk regime.  We also hear how Bowzer went from Doo Wop revivalist to...

Rep. Maxwell Frost is the first Gen Z member of Congress. Now in his second term, Congressman Frost is helping lead the resistance to Trump and Musk's efforts to interfere with crucial federal programs --- including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Rep. Frost joins us with some solid advice on how to push back... without going crazy! 

A new survey released by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) confirms that majorities of Americans across party lines support Social Security --- and do not want to see benefits cut.  In fact, most people are willing to pay more into Social Security to strengthen it for the future.  On this episode, NIRS research director Tyler Bond tells us that while policymakers in Washington a...

Elon Musk and his DOGE squad wants access to personal data and payment systems for Medicare and Medicaid --- among other crucial federal programs.  Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) says we can't let the richest man in the world and his wrecking crew interfere with our retirement & health security.  Plus... a flashback to 2017 and update on Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt's namesakes. 

Medicare Advantage (MA) boasts about its extra dental, vision, and hearing coverage. But a new study says that MA patients do not access these types of care any more often than traditional Medicare beneficiaries do, while paying about the same in out-of-pocket costs.  Meanwhile, the government pays private MA insurers MORE per patient than for traditional Medicare. The study's author, Dr. Lisa Sim...

We shouldn't fear older age, but embrace it, says AARP's chief public policy expert, Dr. Debra Whitman. In her new book, she writes that life after 50 can be fulfilling and rewarding.  But for everyone to age more securely, we must defeat ageism --- which costs our country socially and financially! In this episode, Dr. Whitman shares helpful insights for aging Americans and their loved ones from t...

Here's a holiday gift for our listeners --- a sampler of some of the best episodes of 2024! Featuring VIP guests Jim Roosevelt (grandson of FDR), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. John Larson, and Bill Arnone (former aide to RFK, Sr.) Plus top experts with insights & helpful advice for seniors & their families on Social Security, Medicare, Aging, and Prescription Drug Costs! Don't miss this year-en...

Judge David S. Tatel is a senior with an inspiring story to tell. He was the first blind judge to sit on a federal appeals court --- the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. In this episode, Judge Tatel renders opinions on the direction of the Supreme Court, the personal growth that can come with aging, and the life-changing experience of working with his seeing-eye dog, Vixen! His n...

The political right has never liked Social Security, because it is a successful federal program that helps everyday Americans achieve financial security. But anti-Social Security propaganda has recently spiked --- with help from Trump's billionaire crony, Elon Musk. Our government relations director Dan Adcock helps us separate right-wing lies from facts in this episode of the podcast!  

Millions of public sector employees & their families cannot collect Social Security because of the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset). But that may soon change.  The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has been at the forefront of the fight to repeal WEP & GPO.  Their chief lobbyist, Jeff Cruz, says we are one step closer after House passage of...

Medicare open enrollment season is upon us.  Many seniors are tempted to choose the privatized version of the program:  Medicare Advantage. But, as our health care policy expert Anne Montgomery explains, there are disadvantages to Medicare Advantage that may be hidden behind insurers' slick marketing techniques. As Anne says, "Caveat emptor!" or "Buyer beware." 

In 2018, Doug Jones became the first Democrat to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in more than 20 years.  Now he's an ardent supporter of Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates for Congress.  He says that Social Security and Medicare are two huge issues for seniors in this election. And he's bullish on the Democrats' chances.  A great conversation with Senator Jones on the eve of the 2024 vot...

Our president & CEO, Max Ricthman - aka "Max the Mythbuster" - is back to bust more Social Security myths.  It's important for voters to know that these are myths --- including the falsehood that "Undocumented workers are collecting Social Security!"  This is the final episode of our special Vote4SocialSecurity 2024 voter education series. Enjoy! 

Social Security is a lifeline for many Americans, but especially for women and communities of color --- who may not have as much retirement income as other groups. Tracey Gronniger of Justice in Aging says cutting Social Security would be tremendously unfair to the communities who depend on it most. This is crucial for voters to keep in mind as they cast ballots in the 2024 elections. Part of our...

People sometimes think of Social Security only as a retirement program. But spouses and children also can collect benefits.  As our senior Social Security expert, Maria Freese, tells us: the program protects Americans of all ages in the event that something happens to a family breadwinner. This episode is part of our ongoing voter education campaign, Vote4SocialSecurity 2024!

When voters look at candidates' positions on Social Security, it helps to know the basic history of America's most successful social insurance program. President Franklin Roosevelt's grandson, Jim Roosevelt, says that  history shows us the way forward during this crucial election year.  Part 3 of our special series as part of the Vote4SocialSecurity 2024 voter education campaign! 

In a recent survey, a majority of voters said Social Security would be a major factor in their vote this fall. Most candidates claim to support Social Security, but the devil is in the details. Our Policy Director Dan Adcock helps us sort through the good and bad proposals for the future of Social Security... in this second episode of our special series of voter education podcasts!