Latest news with #DepartmentsofEducation
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Social Security garnishments spark alarm
Hundreds of thousands of Social Security recipients were jolted recently by notices warning that their benefits would be reduced starting in June. The reason? Delinquent federal student loans. However, in a last-minute reversal, the Trump administration announced a pause on the garnishment of Social Security checks for borrowers in default. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The initial warnings, issued by the Departments of Education and Treasury, triggered widespread concern among older Americans, especially those already living on fixed incomes. While the temporary suspension may offer short-term relief, it does little to clarify the long-term picture or ease the financial vulnerability of retirees with government debt. Tania Melnyczuk on Unsplash According to Elaine Floyd, director of retirement and life planning at Horsesmouth, garnishment of Social Security and other federal retirement benefits is authorized under the Treasury Offset Program for several types of unpaid federal debts: Unpaid federal student loans: "If you've defaulted on your federal student loans, the government can garnish up to 15% of your monthly Social Security payment without giving you a court hearing or additional warnings," said Floyd. "They must leave you with at least $750 per month. For example, if your benefit is $3,000 per month, they can take $450 (15%). If your benefit is $800 per month, they can take no more than $50, ensuring that you can keep at least $750."Unpaid federal taxes: Garnishments for back taxes are handled under the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) and continue until the debt is paid in full. "The $750 protection applied to other loans does not apply to federal income tax debts," Floyd said. "A court order is not required." While the IRS typically sends multiple warning letters, retirement, disability, and survivor benefits remain subject to garnishment-though Supplemental Security Income (SSI), lump-sum death payments, and children's benefits are obligations: "For child support or alimony, the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) limits garnishment of Social Security benefits to a maximum of 50% if you're supporting a spouse or child other than the one covered by the court order," said Floyd. "If you are not supporting another spouse or child, the limit is 60%. Additionally, if the support is 12 or more weeks in arrears, an additional 5% can be garnished." Floyd emphasized that the Social Security Administration (SSA) cannot reverse garnishment once it begins. "It is therefore preferable to work out debt repayment arrangements directly with the creditor in question before garnishment of Social Security starts." Options may include installment agreements or offers in compromise with the IRS. "Even though taxes would still be owed, taking such measures would forestall garnishment by the IRS." She said settlement, rehabilitation, or consolidation could be considered for student loans in default. "Obviously, debt management and repayment options are varied and complex." She warned that bankruptcy typically is not a solution. "Taxes, federal student loans, and child support - the very loans Social Security can be garnished for - may not be discharged in bankruptcy." Related: How the IRS taxes Social Security income in retirement In January, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit was estimated to be $1,976, and 68 million Americans received Social Security benefits, and 7.5 million received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Heather Schreiber, founder of HLS Retirement Consulting, said most people are unaware of the history and scope of the Treasury Offset Program. "Most consumers are unaware of the history of the Treasury Offset Program," she said. "It was created back in 1996 under then-President Clinton and had wide bipartisan support." She explained that the program was designed to collect delinquent debts such as federal student loans, unpaid federal and state taxes, child support, and SSA overpayments by intercepting federal payments like tax refunds, Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits (capped at 15%), and federal unemployment compensation. Schreiber noted that when the program was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some may have assumed it was permanently repealed. "I'm sure many believed (if they were aware that the TOP program existed) that the program was permanently repealed." Its reinstatement, she said, is happening amid a wave of financial challenges for retirees. "Combine its reinstatement with all the other news - of inflation, retirees' concerns about being able to survive in retirement, reinstatement of a quick 100% now down to 50% overpayment recovery rate, the solvency issue that could result in benefit cuts across the board, and now a potential cut to benefits for those who have defaulted on student loans," said Schreiber. "It's a Molotov cocktail that only heightens concerns on an already fearful retired population who is struggling." Related: Social Security income tax deduction clears critical hurdle She welcomed the pause. "So, I am certainly glad that the Department of Education put this on hold before it came out of the gate," Schreiber said. "All the more reason that consumers planning for retirement should find a knowledgeable adviser to help them better plan for and navigate the road to and through retirement." Jim Blankenship, a certified financial planner with Blankenship Financial Planning, said options for those already facing garnishment are limited. "Unfortunately, this situation doesn't come with many escape options," he said. Blankenship said the usual advice - reduce expenses, increase income, or sell possessions - often falls flat for those living on Social Security alone. "The age-old advice of 'reduce expenses,' 'find additional sources of income,' or 'sell some possessions' becomes hollow when the expenses are mostly fixed, taking on employment at a late age is not desired, and there are no possessions to sell," he said. Blankenship stressed that the debt must be dealt with directly. "The loan and the payment aren't going to go away - so reducing that outflow is not an answer," he said. "Realize that you're in a position where you must make hard choices about prioritizing things - housing, food, and medical expenses should come first, and literally everything else is up for debate." Related: Medicare recipients face a growing problem Solutions might include downsizing, renting out part of one's home, or seeking part-time work. "Some level of employment doesn't have to be out of the question, and many businesses are clamoring for employees these days." He encouraged a detailed review of all expenses. "If there are any extras in your month-to-month outflow of expenses that can be reduced, now is the time to do it," said Blankenship. That includes discretionary spending like dining out, entertainment, and subscriptions. "You may have to cut down on your regular coffee klatch, or dining out. Review your cell phone plan, review monthly subscriptions (including streaming services and the like) to see if there are reductions that can be made. Review insurance coverage - maybe increase your deductibles, if that would have an appreciable reduction in your premiums." Got questions about retirement, email The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
RTÉ News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
INTO President calls on Dept to outline injury scheme
INTO President Carmel Browne has called on the Department of Education to publish a circular outlining the occupational injury scheme to provide support for those injured while on duty, particularly as a result of physical aggression. Speaking at the opening of the trade union's annual congress, she said that the "foot dragging on this has been something else". While Ms Browne welcomed plans by Minister for Education Helen McEntee to roll out some therapeutic supports in special schools, she called for a wider range of services to be rolled out nationally. She said that primary school teachers are not just educators, but "nurturers, problem solvers, role models, mentors". They work "day in, day out" in the face of many challenges such as "supersized classes, the teacher supply crisis, limited resources, financial shortfalls and a lack of forward planning by the Departments of Education, North and South". She also called for an update on claims submitted last August - under a local bargaining clause - to tackle teacher recruitment and retention and make the profession more attractive. Ms Browne acknowledged progress in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within schools with events such as 'Different Families Same Love', the INTO Pride Flag campaign and 'Show Racism the Red Card' among others. She congratulated the union's LGBT+ group, as it celebrated its 20th anniversary, and also welcomed guarantees that women diagnosed with cancer during or after pregnancy can now defer their maternity leave. The union has launched a detailed list of essential supports for special education. "It is paramount that every child whether they have an additional need, fled from a war-torn country, come from a disadvantaged background or face other barriers to learning have the support they need to thrive and access to a nurturing, affirming learning environment where they can reach their true potential." Tracie Tobin has been the principal of St Michael's Infant School (DEIS Band 1) in Limerick since 2012, and has been teaching there since September 2000. The school has several children in mainstream classes who have a recommendation to attend a special class - but there are not enough places in its two existing special classes for them. She was told that the criteria to open a third special class has changed and that the school does not now qualify. Carmel Browne noted that education is in a period of transformation in the context of global instability. "The Primary Curriculum Framework provides opportunity to create a more holistic, inclusive, flexible learning environment which aims to equip our students with the skills required to navigate the complexities of the 21st century." She finished her address to delegates by expressing solidarity with the children and teachers in Palestine. 'Understaffed, impoverished and overwhelmed' "Understaffed, impoverished and overwhelmed" is how the INTO headlined the conference. "High living costs, limited career incentives, and lack of housing are driving teachers abroad or out of the profession altogether," said INTO General Secretary, John Boyle. The escalating teacher shortage is a key issues along with chronic underfunding of schools and teacher workloads. Mr Boyle said that there are more than 250,000 pupils in classes of 25 or more, and more than 100,000 children are waiting for essential therapies. He said that the core grant for primary schools is €224 per pupil compared with €386 per student at post primary. The Government has conceded to the union's campaign to cut class sizes, targeting an average of 19 pupils in mainstream schools and 15 in DEIS Band 1 schools. However, the INTO says action is needed in the forthcoming budget to deliver on this commitment. According to research carried out by the union, nearly one-third of schools could not fill all of their teaching posts for the 2024/2025 school year, with the crisis most acute in Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare. To cover absences, 745 unqualified personnel have already been deployed in classrooms this year, with a further 1,103 teachers working outside their area of qualification. Recruitment and retention of teachers is an ongoing issue and, after pay, one of the most cited reasons for leaving is poor pupil behaviour. From low level disruption to violent episodes, the number of teachers who took formal assault leave last year rose to 404. Of those, 106 were primary teachers and 285 were SNAs.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
OPINION: OPINION: Talk of the Town
Apr. 6—Education opinion lacked needed details Clyde Aragon in Sunday's Opinion page opined at length on education. He says we got along much better without either the Departments of Education or the Environmental Protection Agency. How we were better, he neglects to say. He then denigrates overbearing unions, bloated school bureaucracies, inedible school lunches and unreadable "Marxist" propaganda. He contends that money spent on education is all wasted. That if the bureaucracy gets more they'll just waste it. Finally, he deploys his suggested solution. Competition. THE answer to all our problems. With whom and by whom? He doesn't say. Who does he think holds the schools accountable? Well he assigns that task to the parents. You know, those folks who go to work every day bringing home the bacon? Sure, they've got gobs of time to educate themselves on the ways to measure, assess and judge the quality of their kids' education, and then get organized with the other parents to "hold the schools accountable!" Who does he suggest should do the teaching? Certainly not those "overbearing teachers' unions." Oh no. Instead, we should hire retired engineers and doctors to teach math and science, and retired military veterans to teach history. Buried in Aragon's analysis is the tattered, shopworn notion of "common sense." That four years of college in not required to know and be able to teach that two plus two equals four, and water freezes at 32 degree Fahrenheit. At last, Aragon's proposal to education reform appears to be: (1) Remove the money wasted on education. (2) Replace the teachers with retired engineers and doctors. (3) Put the parents in charge of administration. (4) Make unreadable Marxist propaganda readable. (5) Have unspecified individuals compete with each other. Have I got all this straight? Tim Taylor Albuquerque Teachers need specific training Clyde Aragon's column (3/30/25) that suggested retired engineers, doctors or veterans can just as easily teach as professional teachers is fundamentally wrong. While those people might make wonderful guest speakers, they are not trained to deal with the daily challenges teachers face. Will those people know how to differentiate lessons and support social-emotional learning and inclusivity? Will they instinctively know how to manage disruptive behaviors such as disrespect, apathy and cell phone use? Obtaining a degree in education is much more than "learning how to say two plus two equals four." Among other things, it involves understanding child development, pedagogy, classroom management, subject expertise and promoting a love for learning. Racquel Leland Albuquerque Legislature missed opportunities Our New Mexico Legislature has recently completed a full session. Let's check the scorecard: Nothing was done to curb the ever-growing juvenile crime problem. Nothing was done to re-structure our medical malpractice laws, and many more shortfalls. Oh yes, the lawmakers did make it easier for pregnant women in northern New Mexico to obtain their desired "solution". Our state sits at the top of most negative lists (e.g., DWI) and at the bottom of most positive lists (e.g., education). It seems to me that the Legislature is a shining example of "Democrat-cy" working for (against?) its people. Reid Griffith Albuquerque New policies are bad for America What we have in our U.S. government is a kakistocracy, a government by the worst people. Supporters just don't get it. Our new government cares little for the health of our people by selecting an antivaxer as secretary of Health and Human Services, eliminating the Department of Education, and laying off hundreds of thousands of workers. Now they want to coerce people into buying only U.S.-made products. Our economy is based on a global economy. By disrupting that with tariffs and taxes on imported goods, they are forcing a lot of companies who depend on imports either out of business or to do business at a reduced scope. Meanwhile, many immigrants are critical to our economy, and they are sending them back to where they came from. Our ancestors, except for the Native Americans, are all immigrants, and our government is even making life hard for Native Americans. They are trying to change our voting to ensure that many low-income and remote voters will have difficulty voting by forcing them to vote on Election Day, which of course favors the Republicans. It is sick, very sick. Their whole approach, import taxes, etc. should be unconstitutional and I pray the Republican-dominated Supreme Court recognizes this. Harvey Eastman Albuquerque NM was named most stressed state New Mexico tops Wallethub's "Most & Least Stressed States (2025)" survey as the most stressed state, with family stress — driven by high divorce rates, single parenthood, childcare costs and lack of emotional support — being the primary culprit. As the Family Month Project founder, I find this striking in a state where family ties, rooted in Native American, Hispanic and Anglo heritage, are a source of pride. Yet, these deep bonds may also create pressure, as multi-generational households and economic struggles amplify obligations. Poverty, violent crime (topping U.S. rankings), and poor health care (47th per Wallethub) further strain families. Economic relief, like cutting the gross receipts tax or expanding oil and gas, could bolster small businesses and ease financial woes. Prioritizing crime reduction and health care improvements is also key. Through the Family Month Project, I believe celebrating these bonds can the direction of the state, making family New Mexico's superpower. Anne Doherty Santa Fe A poem for Betsy Arakawa Was there a cry for help? Did Gene address it during the 2 calls Before his demise? Investors sought Lawyers suppress Yet 2 death Separated apart Considered as one tragic event Richard Wittie Rio Rancho
Politico
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Trump demands Maine governor apologize — or the state will face consequences
President Donald Trump is demanding a 'full throated apology' from Maine Gov. Janet Mills in his spat with the state over transgender athletes, implying his administration will continue to target the state unless he gets one. The Democratic governor got into an argument with the president during a governors' meeting at the White House in February, telling the president ' we'll see you in court ' when he threatened to pull federal funding from the state if it failed to comply with his order to ban trans athletes from playing in women's and girls sports. His administration subsequently opened overlapping investigations into Maine, including probes launched by the Departments of Education , Health and Human Services and Agriculture . The president in a Saturday morning Truth Social post demanded Mills deliver a 'full throated apology' for her earlier comments and promise to never pose a 'challenge' to the federal government again. 'While the State of Maine has apologized for their Governor's strong, but totally incorrect, statement about men playing in women's sports while at the White House House Governor's Conference, we have not heard from the Governor herself, and she is the one that matters in such cases,' Trump wrote. 'Therefore, we need a full throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again, before this case can be settled.' It was not clear what apology from the state of Maine he was referencing, or what apparent case was being settled. The White House declined to comment on the president's post or clarify what consequences the governor and her state could face for not apologizing. Mills' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration has increasingly sought to pressure schools into compliance with the president's Feb. 5 executive order banning trans women and girls from competing in women's sports. The order relies on Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding, as its foundation. The Biden administration had previously said that barring trans athletes from participating in sports was a Title IX violation. The White House has threatened to halt federal funding for schools as a leverage point to force compliance with its Title IX interpretation and the president's executive order. On Wednesday, the White House announced that it had 'paused $175 million in federal funding from the University of Pennsylvania' over the school's policies allowing trans athletes to compete. One of the Trump administration's investigations into Maine, led by the Department of Agriculture into the state's university system, resulted in a temporary pause in USDA funding for Maine's school system. The pause, announced March 10, would have affected programs directly benefiting Maine's farmers and foresters funded by the millions of dollars provided through the USDA to the state's land grant university. Two days after USDA announced its funding pause, it backpedaled, saying it would restore funding to the university system. Earlier this week, the department cleared the University of Maine of Title IX violations, saying it had 'clearly communicated its compliance' with Title IX guidance under the Trump administration. In response, UMaine Chancellor Dannel Malloy said the school system was 'relieved to put the Department's Title IX compliance review behind us so the land-grant University of Maine and our statewide partners can continue to leverage USDA and other essential federal funds to strengthen and grow our natural resource economy and dependent rural communities through world-class education, research and extension.' But UMaine also said it had never strayed from Title IX compliance. 'The University of Maine System has always maintained its compliance with State and Federal laws and with NCAA rules,' Malloy's statement read. A spokesperson for the university system also told POLITICO that 'when the NCAA updated its rules in February, it required no changes in our universities' policies or which of our student-athletes could participate.' The USDA's proclamation that the state's universities were found to be Title IX compliant didn't mark the end of the state's battle with the administration. On Wednesday, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights told Maine's state education department that it had concluded its investigation. The federal agency determined the state was violating Title IX, offering the state Department of Education 'an opportunity to voluntarily agree within 10 days or risk imminent enforcement action including referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.' And in addition to Trump's Saturday morning apology demand, USDA's March 19 announcement clearing the school system also included a not-so-veiled message for the rest of the state, writing in bolded letters: 'The choice for the rest of Maine is simple: protect equal opportunities for women, as required by law, or lose funding.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump demands Maine governor apologize — or the state will face consequences
President Donald Trump is demanding a 'full throated apology' from Maine Gov. Janet Mills in his spat with the state over transgender athletes, implying his administration will continue to target the state unless he gets one. The Democratic governor got into an argument with the president during a governors' meeting at the White House in February, telling the president 'we'll see you in court' when he threatened to pull federal funding from the state if it failed to comply with his order to ban trans athletes from playing in women's and girls sports. His administration subsequently opened overlapping investigations into Maine, including probes launched by the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Agriculture. The president in a Saturday morning Truth Social post demanded Mills deliver a 'full throated apology' for her earlier comments and promise to never pose a 'challenge' to the federal government again. 'While the State of Maine has apologized for their Governor's strong, but totally incorrect, statement about men playing in women's sports while at the White House House Governor's Conference, we have not heard from the Governor herself, and she is the one that matters in such cases,' Trump wrote. 'Therefore, we need a full throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again, before this case can be settled.' It was not clear what apology from the state of Maine he was referencing, or what apparent case was being settled. The White House declined to comment on the president's post or clarify what consequences the governor and her state could face for not apologizing. Mills' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration has increasingly sought to pressure schools into compliance with the president's Feb. 5 executive order banning trans women and girls from competing in women's sports. The order relies on Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding, as its foundation. The Biden administration had previously said that barring trans athletes from participating in sports was a Title IX violation. The White House has threatened to halt federal funding for schools as a leverage point to force compliance with its Title IX interpretation and the president's executive order. On Wednesday, the White House announced that it had 'paused $175 million in federal funding from the University of Pennsylvania' over the school's policies allowing trans athletes to compete. One of the Trump administration's investigations into Maine, led by the Department of Agriculture into the state's university system, resulted in a temporary pause in USDA funding for Maine's school system. The pause, announced March 10, would have affected programs directly benefiting Maine's farmers and foresters funded by the millions of dollars provided through the USDA to the state's land grant university. Two days after USDA announced its funding pause, it backpedaled, saying it would restore funding to the university system. Earlier this week, the department cleared the University of Maine of Title IX violations, saying it had 'clearly communicated its compliance' with Title IX guidance under the Trump administration. In response, UMaine Chancellor Dannel Malloy said the school system was 'relieved to put the Department's Title IX compliance review behind us so the land-grant University of Maine and our statewide partners can continue to leverage USDA and other essential federal funds to strengthen and grow our natural resource economy and dependent rural communities through world-class education, research and extension.' But UMaine also said it had never strayed from Title IX compliance. 'The University of Maine System has always maintained its compliance with State and Federal laws and with NCAA rules,' Malloy's statement read. A spokesperson for the university system also told POLITICO that 'when the NCAA updated its rules in February, it required no changes in our universities' policies or which of our student-athletes could participate.' The USDA's proclamation that the state's universities were found to be Title IX compliant didn't mark the end of the state's battle with the administration. On Wednesday, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights told Maine's state education department that it had concluded its investigation. The federal agency determined the state was violating Title IX, offering the state Department of Education 'an opportunity to voluntarily agree within 10 days or risk imminent enforcement action including referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.' And in addition to Trump's Saturday morning apology demand, USDA's March 19 announcement clearing the school system also included a not-so-veiled message for the rest of the state, writing in bolded letters: 'The choice for the rest of Maine is simple: protect equal opportunities for women, as required by law, or lose funding.'
