Proposed Cuts to Social

You may have heard by now that there are proposed cuts to social Security and are not sure if this true or not, well, unfortunately, it is actually true.

Social Security is in trouble.

Before diving into the who’s and what’s of these proposed cuts to Social Security it must be stated that something needs to be done really soon as the program is in big trouble on paper.

Since 2018 the part of the Social Security program that provides retirement benefits (OASI) is and will be running at a loss each and every year.

This means that the amount of benefits that the OASI is providing to retirees is greater than the amount of money that the program brings in.

To provide some clarity on this huuuuge problem:

In 2018, according to the Trustees of Social Security:

  • The total cost to provide benefits within the OASI program = $853.4 million.
  • Total revenue for that year = $831.0 million.

There is an obvious shortfall of $22 million and the problem is not getting better, in fact the gap between benefits verse revenue is widening.

By 2022, according to the Trustees, the problem became:

  • The total cost to provide benefits within the OASI program =. $1,097.5 billion
  • Total revenue for the year = $1,056.7 billion.

The shortfall grew to $40.8 million in just 4 years and, again, the problem is growing larger annually.

The Trustees of Social Security, in its 2023 Annual Report, is reporting that:

  1. The costs to run the program are going to inflate by over 6.40%
  2. The revenue to provide benefits is only going to grow by 4.90%.

At these rates by 2032 the shortfall for the OASI part of Social Security will be $428.3 billion!

This is why the media is reporting that by 2032 the Social Security program may become insolvent.

Is Social Security really going broke?

What are the current proposed cuts to Social Security?

The Social Security Administration has 9 proposals for cuts to the program which all begin by the end of 2024 and they are:

1st Proposal: Reduce the annual COLA by 1 percentage point.

  • This option will decrease Social Security benefits for retirees.

2nd Proposal: Reduce the annual COLA by 0.5 percentage point.

  • Like Option #1, this proposal will decrease Social Security benefits for retirees. The only difference is the decrease will be half of Option #1.

3rd Proposal: Compute the COLA using a chained version of the consumer price index for wage and salary workers (CPI-W).

  • The Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) uses the 3rd Quarter monthly averages of the Consumer Price Index for workers (CPI-W).
  • Social Security takes the averages of these 3 months in the 3rd Quarter and compares them to the previous year’s 3rd Quarter.
  • If the average is greater than the previous year, then there will be a COLA for those receiving benefits.
  • Chained Weighted CPI-W is a more accurate average where certain averages are disregarded if they are not in the norm.
  • This proposal will decrease benefits going forward.

4th Proposal: Compute the COLA using a chained version of the consumer price index for wage and salary workers (CPI-W) but start it in 2026 instead of 2024.

  • This proposal will decrease Social Security benefits for retirees, but will start 2 years later.

5th Proposal: Add 1 percentage point to the annual COLA for beneficiaries who have lived past a “specified age”.

  • It appears that only certain retirees who are a certain age and older will receive a COLA going forward.
  • This proposal may lower benefits across the board for retirees, but the good news, those retirees who reach the specific age may receive a COLA that would be higher than before.

6th Proposal: Compute the COLA using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).

  • The CPI-E tracks the expenses specifically for Americans who are 62 years of age or older.
  • Historically this Index is much lower than what the Social Security Administration uses and may lead to lower Social Security benefits for retirees.
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The Importance of Flags in Expressing Freedom in America

In the United States, flags are more than just colorful pieces of fabric. They are strong symbols of liberty, pride, and historical significance. At a time when many feel that the freedom of speech faces threats, flying a flag becomes a significant way to express oneself. This article explores why flags hold such significance in America and why it’s crucial to keep this tradition alive.

The Perceived Threat to Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is a foundational principle of American democracy, protected by the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. It allows people to express their opinions, beliefs, and thoughts without fear of government retaliation. However, numerous individuals believe that this freedom is being challenged today. Some believe that political correctness, Social media censorship, and public shaming for expressing certain viewpoints threaten this fundamental right. In such a climate, expressing oneself through flags becomes a visible and impactful form of personal expression.

Using Flags to Express Yourself

When words are limited or when someone wants to make a bold statement, flags serve as powerful tools for expression. Each flag tells a story or sends a message without saying a word. For example, flying the American flag can show love and pride for the country, while other flags might support specific causes or commemorate historical events. Learn more about: Civil War flags imagesr

Why Americans Fly Flags

Patriotic Expression: The most common flag flown in the U.S. is the Stars and Stripes. Numerous Americans display the national flag outside their homes, schools, or businesses as a sign of their patriotism. It’s a way to show love and respect for the country and to celebrate the freedoms it offers, including the freedom of speech.
Political Expression: People also fly flags to show support for political movements or figures they believe in. For instance, during election seasons, it’s common to see flags supporting various candidates or political parties. These flags help individuals voice their political preferences in a public yet non-confrontational way.
Honoring History and Culture: Many flags hold historical or cultural meanings. Flags like the Gadsden flag (“Don’t Tread on Me”) connect to America’s history of independence and resistance. Others, like the Betsy Ross flag or various military flags, honor the nation’s history and the sacrifices made by those who served. More info on: Historic Texas flags by yearr
Support for Causes: Flags are often used to support various social causes. For example, rainbow flags are flown to show support for LGBTQ+ rights, and blue line flags are displayed to show solidarity with law enforcement. These flags allow individuals to promote social issues that are important to them.
Personal Expression: Some people choose to fly flags that reflect their personal interests or humor. These might include sports team flags, flags with funny slogans, or even pirate flags, which can add a playful element to personal spaces like homes or boats.
Memorial and Remembrance: Flags are flown to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away, especially those who served in the military or as first responders. This act of flying a flag can be a personal tribute and a public expression of gratitude and remembrance.

Why It’s Important to Keep Flying Flags

Flying flags is a deeply rooted tradition in America that serves many purposes—from expressing political beliefs and personal values to showing support for various causes and groups. In times when freedom of speech is perceived to be under threat, these flags stand as a testament to the enduring American spirit of expression and liberty. Old historic Texas flagsr

Moreover, flags foster a sense of community and shared identity. They remind us of our collective history and the values we stand for. Whether it’s the national flag fluttering on Independence Day or a Custom flag at a local parade, these symbols help unite people from diverse backgrounds around common ideals.

Flags are not just simple symbols; they are significant instruments of expression in a country where freedom of speech is a cherished right. They allow individuals to state their beliefs, support their causes, and show their pride in a way that words sometimes cannot. So, whether it’s the national flag or a flag supporting a personal cause, flying these banners is a vital part of American culture and a visible reminder of the freedoms that make the country unique.

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Optimize Certification with Digital Credentialing Software Solutions

What is a Digital Credentialing Software?

Digital credential software is a centralized web platform designed explicitly for issuing certificates and digital badges. It encompasses a user-friendly graphic design tool with ready-made templates. They simplify the certification process by facilitating digital credential creation, distribution, and storage with streamlined automation.

How Do You Decide on Digital Credentialing Software?

Credential automation allows businesses to free resources from tedious tasks, shorten processes, and enhance the student learning experience. If you are wondering how to choose a digital credentialing software, look no further.

Digital Certificates: Online Credentials on a Certificate

Paper certificates signify proof that learners have acquired the skills they have studied for. Digital certificates are proof that can be sent online without fuss. These online credentials can be duplicated if their printed versions are lost or damaged. Furthermore, they can be easily accessed through a digital storage device for hard-copy purposes and reference.

Identify What Your Business’ Credentialing Needs

When evaluating your business’s credentialing needs, two critical aspects warrant consideration: the type of credentials and the credentialing process.

Type of Credentials

  • Determining the type of credentials you aim to issue is pivotal. Some credentialing software exclusively generates digital certificates, while others may incorporate badges or even blockchain certificates.
  • Consider how your clients intend to utilize these credentials. While some may require printable formats for manual submissions, others might seek seamless integration by linking or uploading them to professional profiles.

The Credentialing Process

Visualizing the credentialing process for your platforms is essential. From the initial onboarding phase to maintaining meticulous records of issued credentials, each step needs consideration.

  • Evaluate the scale of recipients your business serves. The chosen software must seamlessly handle the current client volume without constraints.
  • Assess the number of users requiring certificate issuance. The software’s capacity should match the demand without compromising efficiency.
  • Examine the software’s guidance on certificate issuance. Some platforms offer straightforward procedures, while others might necessitate a demonstration.
  • Align the software’s credentialing process with your company’s expectations. Companies vary in their preferences: while some prefer automatic certificate distribution via email post-webinar, others opt for issuing certificates upon completing an online test.

Match Features with Your Business’ Credentialing Needs

What features do you wish to prioritize in credentialing software? This can be a secure database, automated compliance processes, or compatibility with other multiple platforms.

Additionally, delve into industry-specific requirements:

  • For Continuing Education Providers: Prioritize functionalities enabling credit tracking for students.
  • For Learning Management Systems: Seek integrated features for interactive training and comprehensive completion tracking within a unified software interface.
  • For Higher Education Institutions: Look for software supporting stacked credentials, facilitating students to organize digital badges and certificates efficiently.

Furthermore, if multiple specialized users will utilize the software, consider features tailored to their needs:

  • For Software Developers: The ability to further customize the customer experience through CSS, HTML, or other coding languages.
  • For Analysts: The ability to export data collection and reporting for record-keeping and growth analysis.
  • For Customer Support Service: Opt for software with features that ensure easy accessibility to recipient and certification data, facilitating support representatives in efficiently handling credentialing issues.

Aligning the software’s features with your specific business needs and diverse user requirements enhances the effectiveness of the chosen credentialing solution.

Balance Your Budget with Your Business’ Credentialing Needs

Digital credentialing software typically offers pricing models based on the volume of credentials sent or made or through subscription plans. When comparing different software solutions based on pricing, several critical factors merit consideration:

How many credentials do you need to send monthly? Compare it with monthly subscriptions that often differed by the number of credentials sent.

How much will it save you time and money? Some organizations have to send out more than thousands of credentials per month. Let us say an organization has to send 10,000 certificates to their CE program students. Two CE providers take about five days to print, mail, and manage 10,000 certificates. Each certificate will cost $4.50 for the paper, ink, packaging, and mailing. That would be $45,000. The labor costs of the two administrators would be the total of their hourly wage multiplied by their working hours ($30 x 8 hours x 5 days x 2 admins), which will be $2,400. The monthly cost would be $47,400, with the yearly cost of $568,800.

Furthermore, investigate if the software offers a free account or trial period. Availing a free account allows experimentation with the software’s features and functionalities without immediate commitment, aiding in decision-making regarding its suitability for your business’s credentialing needs.

Can the Digital Credentialing Software Work with Your Existing Platforms?

Digital credentialing software has to be integrated with frequently used apps, platforms, and other services. By being integrable to these tools, automation through integration shortens processes, allowing resources to be delegated to more essential tasks.

During the evaluation of credentialing software, meticulously examine their extensive integration library. Compile a comprehensive list of available apps and platforms compatible with the software. Evaluate the depth of integration options to ensure seamless automation across various operations.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the additional advantages worth exploring:

What Does It Provide for Free?

Credentialing software often offers free resources, such as certificate templates, to facilitate the customization of certificates and badges. At SimpleCert, our platform provides a comprehensive library of free certificate templates and an initial allocation of 10 credits (where one credit equals one created certificate) upon signing up for a free account.

Does It Promote Itself On Your Platform?

Some credentialing software might self-promote on their users’ platforms, especially within free account usage. While specific promotional strategies may be subtle, they compromise the professional appearance of certificates and congratulatory emails. SimpleCert prioritizes our users’ professional image and expertise by refraining from self-promotion on their platforms, aiming to uplift their credibility and professionalism without intruding on branding elements.

To learn more, visit how SimpleCert is an effective digital credentialing software.

SimpleCert | Digital Credentialing

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Expressing Freedom in America Through Flags

In the United States, flags are more than just colorful pieces of fabric. They are powerful symbols of freedom, pride, and history. At a time when many feel that the freedom of speech faces threats, flying a flag becomes a significant way to express oneself. This article explores why flags hold such importance in America and why it’s essential to keep this tradition alive.

Why Freedom of Speech Feels Under Attack

Freedom of speech is one of the core principles of American democracy, protected by the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. It allows people to express their opinions, beliefs, and thoughts without fear of government retaliation. However, numerous individuals believe that this freedom is being threatened today. Some believe that political correctness, social media censorship, and public shaming for expressing certain viewpoints threaten this fundamental right. In such a climate, expressing oneself through flags becomes a impactful and visible form of Personal expression.

Expressing Yourself with a Flag

When words are limited or when someone wants to make a bold statement, flags serve as powerful tools for expression. Each flag tells a story or sends a message without saying a word. For example, flying the American flag can show love and pride for the country, while other flags might support specific causes or commemorate historical events. Learn more about: Historic Texas flags by yearr

Why Americans Fly Flags

Patriotic Expression: The most common flag flown in the U.S. is the Stars and Stripes. Numerous Americans display the national flag outside their homes, schools, or businesses as a sign of their patriotism. It’s a way to show love and respect for the country and to celebrate the freedoms it offers, including the freedom of speech.
Expressing Political Beliefs: People also fly flags to show support for political movements or figures they believe in. For instance, during election seasons, it’s common to see flags supporting various candidates or political parties. These flags help individuals voice their political preferences in a public yet non-confrontational way.
Honoring History and Culture: Many flags hold historical or cultural meanings. Flags like the Gadsden flag (“Don’t Tread on Me”) connect to America’s history of independence and resistance. Others, like the Betsy Ross flag or various military flags, honor the nation’s history and the sacrifices made by those who served. More info on: Old historic Texas flagsr
Support for Causes: Flags are often used to support various social causes. For example, rainbow flags are flown to show support for LGBTQ+ rights, and blue line flags are displayed to show solidarity with law enforcement. These flags allow individuals to promote social issues that are important to them.
Personal Expression: Some people choose to fly flags that reflect their personal interests or humor. These might include sports team flags, flags with funny slogans, or even pirate flags, which can add a playful element to personal spaces like homes or boats.
Memorial and Remembrance: Flags are flown to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away, especially those who served in the military or as first responders. This act of flying a flag can be a personal tribute and a public expression of gratitude and remembrance.

Why It’s Important to Keep Flying Flags

Flying flags is a long-standing tradition in America that serves many purposes—from expressing political beliefs and personal values to showing support for various causes and groups. In times when freedom of speech is perceived to be under threat, these flags stand as a testament to the enduring American spirit of expression and liberty. Historic Texas flags for saler

Moreover, flags foster a sense of community and shared identity. They remind us of our collective history and the values we stand for. Whether it’s the national flag fluttering on Independence Day or a custom flag at a local parade, these symbols help unite people from diverse backgrounds around common ideals.

Flags are not just simple symbols; they are powerful tools of expression in a country where freedom of speech is a cherished right. They allow individuals to state their beliefs, support their causes, and show their pride in a way that words sometimes cannot. So, whether it’s the national flag or a flag supporting a personal cause, flying these banners is a vital part of American culture and a visible reminder of the freedoms that make the country unique.

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Cheap car insurance in Nevada

Where to Seek Cheap Car Insurance in Nevada

When looking for Best car insurance in Nevada, it is very important to consider a couple of vital factors. One of the greatest impacts on your insurance costs is your driving document. If you have a clean driving record without any accidents or tickets, you’ll likely qualify for reduced rates. In addition, keeping a good credit score can also help decrease your insurance premiums.

An additional element that affects the expense of auto insurance in Nevada is the kind and also quantity of protection you pick. Obligation protection is needed by legislation in Nevada and includes bodily injury liability per person and also per accident along with property damage liability. Nevertheless, including comprehensive coverage as well as collision coverage to your policy will give extra protection on your own and also your car.

The location where you live also contributes in identifying your auto insurance prices. To find the cheapest options readily available to you, it is necessary to contrast quotes from several insurers and think about any kind of discount rates they use based upon factors like being accident-free or having several plans with them.

By considering these different elements when shopping for Liability car insurance Nevada, you’ll be able to discover the lowest rates feasible while still making certain sufficient protection for yourself and also others on the road. Work very closely with an insurance representative who can guide you via choosing the right insurance policies customized especially without giving up high quality protection against uninsured motorists or at-fault mishaps.

National Average Costs of Car Insurance in Nevada

When it comes to auto insurance companies in Nevada, the expense of insurance coverage can differ substantially. Factors such as driving record, credit score, and coverage limits all play a role in determining insurance premiums. For vehicle drivers with poor credit or a history of accidents, discovering affordable rates can be challenging.

In regards to liability per accident coverage limits, the state requires minimums of $25,000 for bodily injury liability coverage each and $50,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per accident. In addition, drivers have to have at the very least $20,000 in property damage liability insurance coverage.

Numerous vehicle drivers choose extra sorts of insurance coverage such as comprehensive insurance as well as collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers damage triggered by occasions aside from crashes (such as theft or all-natural calamities), while collision insurance covers damages resulting from accidents with other automobiles or objects.

One more crucial kind of optional protection is underinsured motorist coverage. This gives financial protection if you’re associated with an accident where the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance to cover your clinical expenses or fixing expenses.

Considered that there are various factors influencing auto insurance prices throughout various driver profiles as well as places within Nevada– consisting of cities like North Las Vegas– it’s important to compare quotes from numerous insurers to discover the cheapest company offering cheap car insurance that fits your demands while supplying sufficient levels of protection.

Most inexpensive Car insurance Choices by Zip Code in Nevada

When it pertains to finding cheap car insurance in Nevada, one crucial variable that can influence your prices is your credit history. Vehicle insurers usually take into account a person’s credit score when identifying their premiums. If you have a poor credit score, you might be thought about a risky driver and also face higher insurance prices. On the other hand, if you have a clean record and also good credit, you may have the ability to safeguard more affordable rates.

One more crucial element to consider when searching for the most inexpensive cars and truck insurance options by zip code in Nevada is the coverage types supplied by different insurance companies. Selecting extra protection such as full-coverage auto insurance can offer additional financial protection in case of crashes or bodily injuries. It’s essential to contrast quotes from different insurers as well as understand what each plan covers.

In summary, discovering cheap car insurance in Nevada requires careful factor to consider of factors such as credit history, coverage types supplied by various insurers, as well as discount opportunities offered for certain demographics like senior drivers. By contrasting quotes from numerous carriers and also exploring prospective price cuts based on your circumstances (such as maintaining a clean driving record or finishing defensive driving programs), you can increase your chances of securing affordable rates that satisfy both your budget as well as insurance coverage requirements without endangering on top quality protection.

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