Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron) profile picture

Tracey Gronniger

@TraceyThomGron

Directing Attorney of Economic Security at @justiceinaging, wife and mom, living in Takoma Park, fighting against elder poverty. All views are my own.

 Takoma Park, MD
Joined October 2012
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Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)Photo by Tracey Gronniger (@TraceyThomGron)
SSI recipients are currently only allowed to save $2,000 (for individuals) or $3,000 (for couples). After that they lose their entire monthly benefit. We need to update the rules so that people can save enough to meet their needs
The Arc of the United States (@TheArcUS) profile pictureThe Arc of the United States@TheArcUS1 Apr 2025
Today, @SenCortezMasto, @SenBillCassidy , @RepDannyDavis, and @RepBrianFitz reintroduced the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act—a long-overdue fix to outdated rules that keep millions of people with disabilities in poverty. 🧵⬇️
A comparison graphic contrasts the cost of living in 1989 versus 2025. The left side, labeled "1989," displays prices in orange: a gallon of milk for $2.02, average rent for $447, a car for $12,000, and the SSI asset limit at $2,000. The right side, labeled "2025," shows updated prices in yellow: a gallon of milk for $4.27, rent for $2,081, a car for $48,000, and the SSI asset limit still at $2,000. Icons representing each item—milk carton, house with a "RENT" sign, red car, and jar labeled "ASSETS"—accompany the text. At the bottom, bold white text asks, "Why hasn’t the SSI asset limit kept up with inflation?"

ALT A comparison graphic contrasts the cost of living in 1989 versus 2025. The left side, labeled "1989," displays prices in orange: a gallon of milk for $2.02, average rent for $447, a car for $12,000, and the SSI asset limit at $2,000. The right side, labeled "2025," shows updated prices in yellow: a gallon of milk for $4.27, rent for $2,081, a car for $48,000, and the SSI asset limit still at $2,000. Icons representing each item—milk carton, house with a "RENT" sign, red car, and jar labeled "ASSETS"—accompany the text. At the bottom, bold white text asks, "Why hasn’t the SSI asset limit kept up with inflation?"

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Many thanks to @SenBillCassidy and @SenCortezMasto for sponsoring the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. This bill would update the Supplemental Security Income asset limits so that people would actually be able to save their money without risking their monthly SSI benefit
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Dem hearing on Social Security happening now: youtube.com/watch?v=5g6aP8Tz…
House Democratic Hearing on Social Security

House Democratic Hearing on Social Security

Today, the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will hold...

youtube.com
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Our new fact sheet on Social Security highlights the importance of the program to the over 70 million Americans across the country who rely on it. Urge your members of Congress to reverse the dismantling of SSA and protect Social Security tinyurl.com/3h5d6sz2
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This is really bad. Making it harder for people to get Social Security numbers is not the direction our country should be heading. SSA is being forced to close offices and reduce its staff, but now have to take in-person requests from new parents who need a SSN for their child?
Arthur Delaney 🇺🇸 (@ArthurDelaneyHP) profile pictureArthur Delaney 🇺🇸@ArthurDelaneyHP7 Mar 2025
Maine parents can no longer request Social Security numbers for their newborns at the hospital. Why? Looks like it's cuz the DOGE boys think there's "DEI" in the "enumeration at birth" contracts between Social Security Admin and state agencies huffpost.com/entry/maine-soc…
Trump Administration Forces Maine Parents To Visit Social Security Offices To Register Newborns...

Trump Administration Forces Maine Parents To Visit Social Security Offices To Register Newborns...

The Social Security Administration canceled contracts that allowed Maine parents to sign up newborns for Social Security numbers at the hospital. Then it uncanceled them.

huffpost.com
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A perfect day at the White House celebrating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with @kprindiville1
Justice in Aging (@justiceinaging) profile pictureJustice in Aging@justiceinaging10 Sep 2024
We are honored to have joined aging and disability advocates at the White House today to celebrate the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (#ADA). The President gave inspiring remarks about what is possible when all members of our community are included and supported.
Kevin Prindiville posing for a picture in front of the White House. Kevin is wearing a suit smiles for the camera. People mingle in the background.

ALT Kevin Prindiville posing for a picture in front of the White House. Kevin is wearing a suit smiles for the camera. People mingle in the background.

A close-up view of the White House from the ground. A crowd is seen in the foreground.

ALT A close-up view of the White House from the ground. A crowd is seen in the foreground.

A crowd of people gathers in front of the White House, with President Biden speaking at a podium. The White House's exterior is visible in the background.

ALT A crowd of people gathers in front of the White House, with President Biden speaking at a podium. The White House's exterior is visible in the background.

A selfie of Kevin Prindiville and Tracey Gronniger in front of the White House. Both are smiling, and the building's iconic architecture is visible behind them.

ALT A selfie of Kevin Prindiville and Tracey Gronniger in front of the White House. Both are smiling, and the building's iconic architecture is visible behind them.

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Great story on why the asset limit needs to be updated: npr.org/2024/06/08/g-s1-3475…
These disabled people tried to play by the rules. It cost them their federal benefits

These disabled people tried to play by the rules. It cost them their federal benefits

A little-known Social Security program was supposed to lift people out of poverty. Sometimes it traps them there instead.

npr.org
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Women make up 2/3 of SSI recipients age 65 and over. SSI program rules that don't allow for the accumulation of assets create more financial difficulties for women, who are already at a disadvantage in terms of overall income, wealth, and financial security as compared to men
CAPWomen (@CAPWomen) profile pictureCAPWomen@CAPWomen7 Mar 2024
Our new analysis📈 shows that households relying on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) face higher financial risks than non-SSI households w/similar incomes. Updates to SSI would improve economic resilience for low-income beneficiaries, especially women. americanprogress.org/article…
Updating SSI Would Improve the Economic Resilience of Low-Income Women

Updating SSI Would Improve the Economic Resilience of Low-Income Women

New analysis from the Center for American Progress shows that households relying on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) face higher financial risks than non-SSI households with similar incomes.

americanprogress.org
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"Women of all ages deserve opportunities to improve their economic circumstances, including career advancement." americanprogress.org/article…
Promoting Economic Advancement for Older Women in the Workplace

Promoting Economic Advancement for Older Women in the Workplace

Protections against age discrimination, enhanced workforce supports, and a higher minimum wage are needed to advance equity for older women.

americanprogress.org
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Exciting news!! Martin O'Malley is confirmed to be Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) profile pictureSenate Press Gallery@SenatePress18 Dec 2023
By a vote of 50-11, the #Senate confirmed the nomination of Martin O'Malley to be Commissioner or Social Security.
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So exciting to see banks voicing support for updating #SSI asset limits!
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Thanks to Rep. Jeffries. A debt commission is shorthand for cuts to Social Security and Medicare
Ryan Schmelz (@RyanSchmelzFOX) profile pictureRyan Schmelz
@RyanSchmelzFOX9 Nov 2023
Dem House Leader Jeffries says he does NOT support a debt commission being attached to a CR to avoid a government shutdown. Jeffries says he wants a CR at fiscal year 2023 spending levels.
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"The life expectancy gap by income is large and growing...Black workers in particular still experience lower lifetime earnings and face an average shorter life expectancy.." Raising Social Security’s Retirement Age Would Cut Benefits for All New Retirees cbpp.org/research/social-sec…

Raising Social Security’s Retirement Age Would Cut Benefits for All New Retirees

Some policymakers, such as those on the Republican Study Committee, have proposed to raise Social Security’s full retirement age to 70 and beyond.[1] Raising the retirement age cuts benefits for...

cbpp.org
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Amen to self care!!
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"When the rules regarding savings were established in 1972, Individual Retirement Arrangements and 401(k) plans did not yet exist. So while workers today are expected to save for their retirements, SSI beneficiaries are penalized for doing so." cbpp.org/blog/ssis-50th-anni…

SSI’s 50th Anniversary Highlights Need for Reform Following Decades of Stagnation

This month marks 50 years since the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was signed into law. SSI was initially intended to help prevent people with disabilities and older adults from living...

cbpp.org
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So happy to work with Rebecca on improving SSI for older adults and people with disabilities!
Justice in Aging (@justiceinaging) profile pictureJustice in Aging@justiceinaging2 Nov 2022
We’re happy to see groundbreaking partner & friend @rebeccavallas @TCFdotorg celebrate @justiceinaging turning 50! Your tireless advocacy to improve #SSI is an inspiration & we're proud to partner with you in this important fight against #poverty.
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More discussion on why we need to update SSI to help people meet their needs #SSIat50 #UpdateSSI cnbc.com/2022/10/30/as-suppl…

As Supplemental Security Income turns 50, some are calling for the program's outdated rules to...

Experts say a lack of updates to the program leave many elderly, blind and disabled beneficiaries struggling with low incomes and little flexibility.

cnbc.com
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SSI shouldn't be a prison without walls for the millions of people who need this vital source of income to survive #UpdateSSI
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Maybe a $2000 asset limit made sense in 1972 when you could buy a new car for $2,500!
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It's been too long since we've updated a program that is essential to many older adults and people with disabilities living in poverty #SSIat50 #UpdateSSI
Justice in Aging (@justiceinaging) profile pictureJustice in Aging@justiceinaging28 Oct 2022
Nearly 8 million disabled people & seniors rely on #SSI to survive. But the program has not been updated in decades, trapping millions in poverty. SSI beneficiaries share in their own words why we must update SSI’s outdated asset limits and more: bit.ly/3rTilCs
Blue background with a blue-toned photo of an older man with a beard in a scull cap and glasses on the right hand side. He’s facing toward the left. On the left side there is white and turquoise blue text that says: SSI is 50. Congress must update and improve SSI so it can keep older adults and people with disabilities out of poverty for the next 50 years.

ALT Blue background with a blue-toned photo of an older man with a beard in a scull cap and glasses on the right hand side. He’s facing toward the left. On the left side there is white and turquoise blue text that says: SSI is 50. Congress must update and improve SSI so it can keep older adults and people with disabilities out of poverty for the next 50 years.

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