Social Security Benefits: Certain Crucial Specifics On Cost Of Living Adjustment

 

For the 2nd year in a row people who rely on Social Security wont receive a cost of living increase. This is only the second time since the cost of living adjustment (COLA) was adopted that receivers haven't received an increase.

The reason Social Security benefits wont be revised in 2011 is that inflation has been very low. The whole premise behind the cost of living adjustment is that benefits are adjusted for inflation so receivers could sustain increasing prices. If there's no inflation, there is no need for cost of living increase. The latest inflation numbers published by the Labor Department shows that prices are lower than they were in 2009, the last time Social Security benefits were increased.

The cost of living adjustment in 2009 was the biggest seen in 27 years at 5.8%. The raise in 2009 was so large due to gas prices that sky-rocketed in summer of 2008. When gas prices fell, so did the overall inflation rate. While the government can't reduce Social Security benefits if there's deflation (when prices are decreasing), they can decide to not provide a COLA increase, which was the situation for 2010 and looks to be for 2011.

Possible Incentive Payment to Help Seniors Who Depend on Social Security Benefits

To aid Seniors who rely on their Social Security benefits to help with living expenses, Congress will be voting on a $250 bonus payment for Social Security receivers to aid make up for the fact that Social Security benefits will remain the same for second year in a row. An update will be provided when the bill has been voted on.

No Social Security COLA Means No Raise in Medicare B Premiums

One silver lining to no cost of living increase is that Medicare Part B premiums will not go up for current enrollees. A little percent of Medicare Part B participants will pay increased premiums, including people who've Medicare Part B but who're not yet collecting Social Security benefits, people who are considered "high income" and people who are just now enrolling in Part B. However, a "hold-harmless" facility protects existing participants from rate increases if their Social Security benefits do not raise, therefore no cost of living raise for Social Security recipients also means no Medicare Part B premium raise either.

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