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Regular Contributor
Posts: 196
Registered: ‎04-24-2017

asking did I hear the news about Social Security getting a raise?  I was working today and I don't know anything about this.  Has anyone heard?  I will tell her or if you can tell me where to go and look for her I will. She is elderly. Thank you.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,636
Registered: ‎08-19-2014

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

 You can look it up on the social security website or just google it.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 41,389
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

Social Security benefits projected to rise 2.2% in 2018

 

Social Security beneficiaries are projected to receive a 2.2% cost-of-living increase next year, the most since 2011, the trustees who oversee the program said Thursday.

 

That would be about $30 a month for the average retired worker. But It's a relative bonanza compared to the 0.3% adjustment for this year and the unchanged paychecks in 2016. The cost of living adjustments have been low because of unusually weak inflation in recent years.

 

Social Security officials will release the official cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients in October

 

via usa today......the rest of the article can be read there.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,489
Registered: ‎08-28-2010

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

I hear it today on news radio, yes there will be an increase in SS

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,504
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

Thank you, @sunshine45

 

I hadn't heard about this. Heck, $30 will buy me a tank of gas at current rates. I'll take it!

Life without Mexican food is no life at all
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

From what I'm reading, there will be an adjustment in Medicare for those who were protected from an increase last year that will reduce that increase considerably. From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

 

"The recent flat COLAs meant that nonprotected Medicare enrollees shouldered most of the burden of rising Part B premiums; the premiums for this group jumped sharply in 2016 and 2017. This year, they are paying $134 per month, while protected beneficiaries are paying an average of $109.

 

"But a generous 2018 COLA will spread higher Part B program costs across the entire Medicare population. That means nonprotected enrollees will see their premiums fall, while the protected group will pay more.

 

"Consider an example where the standard Part B premium falls to $125. That above-mentioned average Social Security beneficiary (receiving $1,360 monthly) now faces a $16 increase in her monthly Part B premium, reducing the COLA from $27.20 to $11.20. If the recipient were receiving $2,000 a month it would be a net monthly COLA of $24, instead of $40."

Super Contributor
Posts: 283
Registered: ‎03-22-2015

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

[ Edited ]

@noodleann  Not exactly a bonanza when all that is considered.  My other insurance premiums go up more than that, so it still a net loss.   

 

Edited to add - Not that I'm going to complain. I'll appreciate what I can get!  I'm just cynical that they used the word bonanza to describe this raise.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Re: Hello For A Friend Please


@Anita Hug wrote:

@noodleann  Not exactly a bonanza when all that is considered.  My other insurance premiums go up more than that, so it still a net loss.


Another matter is that in terms of qualifying for low-income assistance programs, this hike will raise the example recipient's income by around $400 a year because most aid programs use the amount before deductions, not net cash actually received, to calculate benefits. That will mean that some will be disqualified from receiving assistance or receive a lesser amount than they would have if there had been no increase, so it could be a net loss for some .

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,462
Registered: ‎07-20-2014

Re: Hello For A Friend Please


@sunshine45 wrote:

Social Security benefits projected to rise 2.2% in 2018

 

Social Security beneficiaries are projected to receive a 2.2% cost-of-living increase next year, the most since 2011, the trustees who oversee the program said Thursday.

 

That would be about $30 a month for the average retired worker. But It's a relative bonanza compared to the 0.3% adjustment for this year and the unchanged paychecks in 2016. The cost of living adjustments have been low because of unusually weak inflation in recent years.

 

Social Security officials will release the official cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients in October

 

via usa today......the rest of the article can be read there.


I hadn't heard that.  It will help offset the health insurance/Medicare increases.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,792
Registered: ‎01-22-2013

Re: Hello For A Friend Please

That sounds good on paper.  This year our big .3% raise gave me $10.40 less per month in the bank each month.  I have a Medicare Advantage program I just received I have about 3 months until I fall into that good old donut hole.  I am just high enough to not qualify for help.  I have no idea how people who get less than me survive.   I guess we all make do because we like life with family and friends.