| Volume 144 Number 24 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Any TV set made since 2007 has a digital tuner that lets you watch over-the-air (OTA) channels for free, if you get an inexpensive indoor antenna. These channels usually include local broadcast channels, including high-definition or “HDTV” signals. But an OTA antenna won’t get you free “premium” channels, which you can only get from cable, satellite, or online content services. Don’t believe an OTA antenna ad that says it can. Click here for more.
Ford recalls 2.6 million vehicles with Takata driver-side front airbag inflators
Ford Motor Company is recalling about 2.6 million vehicles. Takata driver-side front airbag inflators were installed as original equipment and contain a calcium sulfate desiccant.
Takata determined that desiccated propellant in these inflators may degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause an inflator to rupture during airbag deployment, resulting in serious injury or death. Click here for more.
Your Money
Retirees who have several sources of income, including pensions, retirement account withdrawals or part-time work, might have to pay taxes on part of their Social Security benefit. The federal government taxes up to 85% of Social Security payments for seniors who earn more than a specific threshold, but never taxes the full benefit. Here's how to tell if your Social Security benefit is taxable: Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
CFPB says discrimination by lenders on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today issued an interpretive rule clarifying that the prohibition against sex discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B includes sexual orientation discrimination and gender identity discrimination. This prohibition also covers discrimination based on actual or perceived nonconformity with traditional sex- or gender-based stereotypes, and discrimination based on an applicant’s social or other associations. The rule follows a request for public comment issued by the CFPB last July. Click here for more.