Suppose you believe that your Social Security benefits only include the monthly money you receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA). In that case, you are underestimating the value generated by all of the processes and policies that are implemented and constantly updated without being directly communicated to you. The Social Security Administration has challenges maintaining its service level as its operating budget shrinks and Americans’ needs grow. Without making any modifications, it will go out of business sooner rather than later. However, those changes will undoubtedly influence your Social Security check, and knowing about them beforehand allows you to prepare or, better still, pressure your officials to accept or disapprove them so that your needs are met. Here, we’ll summarize some of them so you may get a jump start in the new year. Who is going to oversee your Social Security benefits? Martin J. O’Malley served as the SSA Commissioner from December 20th, 2023, to November 29th, 2024. During his eleven-month tenure, he oversaw improvements that decreased wait times from 24 to 13 minutes and increased access to SSA programs, particularly reducing qualifying restrictions for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program . However, its tenure has finished, and Carolyn W. Colvin has been appointed acting commissioner. She has previous experience in this post, serving as an acting commissioner during the Obama administration. Unfortunately, his time may be cut short, as President Trump is set to nominate a new individual for the position once Congress approves it. For the time being, he has nominated Frank Bisignano, an American businessman well-known for his roles as Chairman, President, and CEO in the technology and financial industries, respectively. His most notable achievements involve organizations such as Finserv, First Data Corporation, and JPMorgan Chase. There is an opportunity to analyze how his private sector experience will help streamline SSA benefits and address the agency’s issues. How will customer service impact your Social Security benefits? There will be two changes in how the Social Security Administration deals with its pensioners. They will affect your Social Security benefits. The first is more operational, and it concerns a shift in the methodology used by the SSA to attend to in-person beneficiaries. Beginning January 6th, 2025, the SSA will introduce a mandatory appointment system. You can still visit your local SSA office to have your questions about Social Security checks answered. However, after that date, the only method to be served will be to request an appointment via their national line, 800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office. The second modification may raise some concerns. It means a reduction in the scope of SSA services. It began with a hiring freeze on November 21st, 2024. This measure was necessary since Congress denied the request for additional cash from the federal budget. The SSA is experiencing operational challenges since it requires additional manpower and IT investments to save money. Without further funding, it will be forced to cut its physical presence or apply furloughs for present employees. Hopefully, this is not going to impact any of the Social Security payments . How much will your Social Security benefits increase? Starting January 1st (or December 31st, if you are an SSI member), the new Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will take effect not just on the Social Security benefits that will be delivered from that point forward but also on other aspects of the SSA’s processes. The current COLA boost is computed using increases in the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) that occurred in the third quarter of this year (July, August, and September) and reflects the drop in inflation from last year. As a result, the defined amount was fixed at a 2.5% increase. What other impacts will COLA have on your Social Security benefits? COLA will also affect Social Security benefits by increasing other values, such as the maximum taxable earnings (from $168,600 in 20204 to $176,100 in 2025), the retirement earnings test exempt amounts (from $22,320 in 2024 to $23,400 in 2025), and even income and asset limits if we are referring to the SSI program.Daily Dose of Social Media: Sabalenka hilariously calls out her coach in viral trend, family time for Rafael Nadal
Kogi PDP group alleges imposition of state chairmanNow that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has called former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bluff to file cases against him, an invested public eagerly looks forward to how he would squirm his way out of this latest predicament of his own making. On Monday, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government was eyeing the possibility of charging Duterte with violating Republic Act No. 9851 or the international humanitarian law (IHL). Signed into law on Dec. 11, 2009, the IHL defines and penalizes what is considered the most severe crimes of concern to the international community—war crimes, genocide, and other crimes against humanity. Article II, section 2 of the country’s Constitution also states that “[t]he Philippines ... adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land.” Duterte had earlier challenged the government to do just that during his testimony at the House quad comm hearing on his war on drugs: “I have been killing people for a long time, but they have yet to file any case against me.” In apparent response, Remulla said: “Our task force is doing that now (investigating Duterte).” Earlier this month, the DOJ official created a task force to look into the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) committed during the previous administration. Remulla also addressed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte, saying that if the DOJ’s charges overlap with those of the ICC, the government would have to choose what charges to pursue. “We want the charges to be separate from each other ... Even if we are not members of the ICC, the spirit of complementarity is still in place,” Remulla said, referring to the country’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2018 on Duterte’s orders after it opened a preliminary examination on the drug killings. The ICC has said its prosecutors maintain jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal. The spirit of complementary means that the ICC will only have secondary jurisdiction over national courts, and can only act if the national court cannot or refuses to prosecute Duterte. As it is, the DOJ’s investigation should mine as evidence Duterte’s sworn testimony before the quad comm, which included admissions about ordering the police to kill suspects in “self-defense” after goading them to fight back. He had killed “a lot of crooked police officers” during his term as Davao City mayor, Duterte said, adding that he was assuming “full legal, moral responsibility” for the killings. Such systematic killings are covered by RA 9851, former senator Leila de Lima confirmed before the quad comm hearing: “These acts include willful killing, extermination, torture, and enforced disappearance, among others,” she said, noting that these crimes are nonbailable and could be punished by reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment. She added that the law holds not just the direct perpetrators responsible, but also those in leadership positions who order or induce the commission of such crimes. RA 9851 does not exempt government officials, including heads of state, from criminal responsibility, the former chair of the Commission on Human Rights said. The law, too, is not subject to prescription, De Lima said. “The crimes penalized under this Act, their prosecution, and the execution of sentences imposed on their account, shall not be subject to any prescription. They can be hunted for life.” The DOJ’s action is a solid first step to making Duterte fully accountable for the thousands of drug-related killings during his administration, of which only a handful have been officially investigated, and eight low-level cops have been convicted so far. Government figures estimate that more than 6,000 people were killed in legitimate drug operations, but rights groups claim that as many as 30,000 were gunned down in shady police operations that often involved planted guns and drugs, as well as dubious claims of suspects fighting back. Just as welcome is President Marcos’ statement last week, saying the government would not stand in the way if Duterte wants to surrender to the ICC. The government would be obliged as well to comply if his arrest was sought over his deadly war on drugs, Mr. Marcos added. While Duterte’s allies have described the DOJ’s action as mere propaganda and “political theatrics,” it is a much-appreciated manifestation of the government’s determination to join the community of nations that subscribe and maintain a “rules-based order,” a distinction the country’s leaders should aspire to. It is also a concrete—if belated—expression of solidarity with all the victims of unjust killings and other crimes abetted by the climate of impunity under the previous administration. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Above all, such explicit expression of cooperation with the ICC should offer healing to the families of EJK victims, for whom the prospect of justice finally beckons.
Atria Investments Inc decreased its position in Alamos Gold Inc. ( NYSE:AGI – Free Report ) (TSE:AGI) by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,393 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 825 shares during the quarter. Atria Investments Inc’s holdings in Alamos Gold were worth $267,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of AGI. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Alamos Gold by 1.7% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,669,249 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $216,371,000 after acquiring an additional 250,207 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Alamos Gold by 147.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 7,585,450 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $119,003,000 after purchasing an additional 4,521,282 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Alamos Gold by 71.9% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,588,581 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $97,183,000 after purchasing an additional 2,756,759 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Alamos Gold by 31.9% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,373,478 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $68,576,000 after buying an additional 1,058,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Alamos Gold by 311.9% in the second quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 2,709,784 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $42,480,000 after buying an additional 2,051,935 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.33% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Alamos Gold from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. National Bank Financial lowered shares of Alamos Gold from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, September 8th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Alamos Gold from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Alamos Gold from $23.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $25.06. Alamos Gold Stock Performance AGI stock opened at $18.88 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $7.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.62. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $19.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.06. Alamos Gold Inc. has a 52 week low of $11.24 and a 52 week high of $21.45. Alamos Gold ( NYSE:AGI – Get Free Report ) (TSE:AGI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.03). Alamos Gold had a net margin of 19.89% and a return on equity of 8.85%. The company had revenue of $360.90 million for the quarter. Research analysts anticipate that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alamos Gold Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.025 per share. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 5th. Alamos Gold’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.67%. Alamos Gold Profile ( Free Report ) Alamos Gold Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of precious metals in Canada and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Young-Davidson mine and Island Gold mine located in the Ontario, Canada; Mulatos mine located in the Sonora, Mexico; and Lynn Lake project situated in the Manitoba, Canada. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Alamos Gold How to Most Effectively Use the MarketBeat Earnings Screener Tesla Investors Continue to Profit From the Trump Trade Do Real Estate Investment Trusts Deserve a Place in Your Portfolio? 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Akhilesh seeks murder case against officials in Sambhal violence; Rahul for SC interventione join in the rejoicing of WNebraska abortion op-ponents that some 55% of voters Nov. 5 bucked a national trend and wrote the Legislature's general 12-week ban into this state's constitution. But let's drop any talk of immediately seeking an even earlier statutory abortion ban, as Initiative 434 allows. The 2025 Legislature must thoroughly ensure that as many life-threatening pregnancy complications as possible are legally covered as "medical emergency" exceptions allowed by Initiative 434 and existing law. The Telegraph first urged this priority on Jan. 29, 2023, while favoring the "fetal heartbeat" ban introduced in 2023 and later modified into the 12-week ban enacted in Legislative Bill 574. We applauded the law's inclusion of the "three exceptions," listed in Initiative 434 as abortions "necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest." LB 574 defines "medical emergency" as a condition "which, in reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the pregnant woman as to necessitate the termination of the pregnancy to avert her death" or creates "a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a bodily function." It lists five situations that cannot be considered "abortions": ■ Removal of ectopic pregnancies. ■ "Removal of the remains of a preborn child who has already died." ■ Acts "to save the life or preserve the health of the preborn child." ■ "The accidental termination of the life of a preborn child." ■ "Assisted reproductive technology," including in vitro fertilization, that costs the life "of a preborn child who is not being carried inside a woman's body." Nebraskans must legally protect "mothers or doctors who act in good faith and in the best interests of both lives," we wrote in 2023. "That may require medical procedures necessary for the mother to recover if her child does not or cannot live to be born." If the law's "protections aren't rock-solid," we added, "keep refining them until they are." State lawmakers must make that their 2025 priority. Pre-election news stories told of Nebraska mothers with troubled pregnancies whose Nebraska doctors didn't believe they could properly treat them without running afoul of the 12-week abortion ban. Those mothers had to go to other states for care. These are pregnant mothers who found their lives, their children's lives or both on the line. Miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births can happen in any pregnancy. So can birth defects, some of which unborn babies cannot survive. High blood pressure can suddenly develop in pregnancy and put mothers in great danger if not dealt with promptly. Surely no Nebraskan could disagree that mothers facing such situations ought to be cared for in our state, with all the compassion and medical skill available in such terrible circumstances. But if abortion foes insist on pushing for an even earlier ban, this priority will be lost in the hyperpolitical din. Neither is this a time for doctors or abortion-rights supporters to withhold cooperation in making the list of life-threatening exceptions as complete and detailed as currently possible. Let's decisively prove that all Nebraskans equally love pregnant mothers and their unborn children when one or both of their lives are at risk. Get local news delivered to your inbox!