21.   So, the union is briefing its members on everything from the proper code of conduct on a picket line to how to collect strike benefit payments.

22.   Still receive a guaranteed benefit payment but lower than under the current system.

23.   That could change if millions of veterans and others do not receive their next benefit payments.

24.   That is when payroll tax revenues flowing into Social Security from workers and employers will fall short of benefit payments for the first time.

25.   The bureau has always said that the Consumer Price Index is not a pure measure of inflation and should not be used to set federal benefit payments.

26.   The rationale for focusing on the unemployed is that people who have lost jobs will immediately spend all the benefit payments they receive, helping the economy.

27.   To deal with this, various groups of state governments are developing special cards on which benefits payments will be stored.

28.   Union officials are also accused of dipping into pension and welfare-fund reserves to subsidize companies that failed to make required benefit payments for their employees.

29.   Without the plan, it would have had to cut monthly benefit payments in three to six years, or even sooner, officials said.

30.   Without the plan, it would have had to cut monthly benefit payments in three to six years, or even sooner.