The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) usually means an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
The CPI-W rose this year. When inflation increases, your cost of living also goes up. Prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive. Since the CPI-W did rise, the law increases benefits to help offset inflation. As a result, monthly Social Security and SSI benefits for over 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index will begin in January 2017. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase to $127,200.
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
You can find more information about the 2017 COLA at www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. For changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.
About time. After many years without going with no increase in pay many of us are falling into the poverty limits. The system needs to be changed as politicians give themselves raises every year while not thinking of us!!
Well stated!
Same o”l. Thing. Look at who we have to choose as our President.Both are for their one Personal GAIN what’s New
Put all government workers on Social Security and see what we would get. That is how to save our Social Security too.
very good!!!
Most Government workers (including Congress) are on Social Sec. If you were hired or elected after around 1985 you pay into Society Sec.
You are so right. Let them luve off the amount they choose to give us. And when we do get a penny or 3 cents for cost of living they turn around and raise Medicare benefits so e en tho we gross more the NET bring home is liwer than before the 3 cent increase. The ENTIRE GOVERMENT INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT DOWN TO THE GOVERNOR. THEY WOULD NOT LAST A MONTH.
Social Security Admin should be ashamed to even show the figure of .3 about 4.00 a month. Seniors don’t matter anymore. All that matters is giving money to people in foreign countries and not taking care of the seniors in this country. What a SHAME!!
That would even cut the national debt!!
In Illinois state workers will get a full 3% raise in pensions, and this cannot be “reduced or diminished” according to the state constitution.
Yes! The so called leaders should have to live off of what we live in when they retire. Just because they are a senator or congressman doesn’t mean they are “better” then we are.
I agree with Nick.
The average Federal workers are paying SS taxes and will receive SS at retirement.. The only Federal employee receiving Federal Pension ,are the ones we elect into office. Yes, they phased out government pension in 1984..Btw, their pension has federal taxes deducted and Medicare premium that is non negotiable.
I believe most civil servants have been on it since the mid 80s.
s.s. very fixable every body on s. s. no limits
They have been for many years. If memory serves correctly all hired from 1984 are covered under Social Security.
That is the solution,I’m for that !
I’ve been saying that for years now, Nick!
Or let their raises be based on the same COLA percentage we have to put up with!
It was January 1984 that Congress and most Federal employees started paying into social security. Please read the followiong;
In 1983, Public Law 98-21 required Social Security coverage for federal civilian employees first hired after 1983 and closed the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to new federal employees and Members of Congress. All incumbent Members of Congress were required to be covered by Social Security, regardless of when they entered Congress. Members who had participated in CSRS before 1984 could elect to stay in that plan in addition to being covered by Social Security or elect coverage under an ‘offset plan’ that integrates CSRS and Social Security. Under the CSRS Offset Plan, an individual’s contributions to CSRS and their pension benefits from that plan are reduced (‘offset’) by the amount of their contributions to, and benefits from, Social Security.
It is not true that Congressmen “continue to draw their same pay, until they die.” The size of their pensions is determined by a number of factors (primarily length of service, but also factors such as when they joined Congress, their age at retirement, their salary, and the pension options they chose when they enrolled in the retirement system) and by law cannot exceed 80% of their salary at the time of their retirement.
It is not true that Congressmen “paid nothing in on any kind of retirement,” and that their pension money “comes right out of the General Fund.” Whether members of Congress participate in the older Civil Service Retirement System or the newer Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), their pensions are funded through a combination of general tax provisions and contributions from the participants. Members of Congress in the FERS plan must pay 6.2% of their salaries (up to the Social Security wage base of $106,800) into Social Security, as well as 1.3% of their full salary into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
The ‘One’, the law doesn’t pertain to and the other doesn’t know when to shut it and listen. Which that may mean, the human races end.
I agree with the personal gain thing.
None of them care about ‘We the People’———- that just happen to pay their salaries.
Yes! Why not? They work less hours per year than most people?
I agree. Congress should live by the same rules they impose on us including pay increase. Will their pay increase by a pitiful 0.03%? Why is money we paid into Social Security called a benefit when it is returned to us. Congress should be required to pay us out of their personal salaries instead of us paying them when they raise our taxes.
I totally think IF they got the same from Social Security as we do it would be CHANGED QUICKLY!
YeP, that will work and see how they feel about it while they walking in our shoes.
How embarrassing!! .3 percent are you kidding me? Tell us what has gone up in the past years ONLY .3 percent??? WHAT A SHAME AND DISGRACE to the people!!
an ignorant statement since congress has been on ss since 1983, and all govt workers since 1986.
Totally agree, have said that many times.
Every candidate is for personal gain. It’s what they do when they are elected that counts. You cannot be elected without personal gain in this country.
this is bad news for us said how they do us
Wait till you see what how much medicare is going up! We should be able to do what we want with OUR retirement money the same as the government! It’s our money not theirs!
Agree 100%
What does this have to do with the SS increase?
My husband medicare premiums was reduced 35.00, what could be the reason?
For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this venue. Your husband should contact the local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for further assistance and an explanation. Thanks.
He is probably in a different tax bracket. Is he still working? Is he making less money than before? That would be the only way it would be reduced that I know about
my ss went down last year $140.00 a month because I won $83000.00 gambling which put my income over $100,000.00 but I lost $130,000.00 but that didn’t matter th ss I appealed but they would not even consider my losseswhat a crappy government we have they couldn’t care less about us I know its my fault I gamble and need to stop but its my money and I pay tax on every penny I win so why penalize me more
Sorry, the government should be ashamed of themselves, that is no increase for our behalf. It’s just to help medicare. Increase in our SS did not help us, who are they fooling? Let’s see what happens next. We must be the last to be taken care off.
They have to take care of the jimerent’s before S. S. And vets!
For their gain? Trump is giving up a lot but will not accept the Presidents salary. He is sacrificing a lot along with his wife and you think that is selfish? Are you kidding? He and a lot of his cabinet members will be losing money and lifestyle to help undo the mess created by their predecessors.
Obama gave his mother in law a $160,000.00lifetime pension..that was sure above the .3 per cent increase!bet she does not even pay taxes on it either.
Well put!
a disgrace FED politicos sals shbe cut by 2/3 and they should only be part time who needs them?
they do not work full time
It don’t matter cause they will only take it back by increasing the ins..
I TOTALY AGREE.THEY DON;T MIND GET BIG RAISE, HECK OF A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE GET NOW.
We payed more into this than were getting back !
True, I don’t know who does the math on cost of living, but things have gone up a lot more than 3%. Besides when if ever will we get paid back for the money govn’t dipped into without our permission.
I live in public housing, on ssdi, and they just raised my rent, which is SUPPOSED to be income based, 5th year in a row, additional $20 a month. In 6 years I received total COLA of about $55 (per month) but in same 6 years my ph rent has gone up almost $100 per month. I am living on almost $50 a month less now than I was 6 years ago, and we haven’t even gotten to the increases in electric, medical and prescription copays, and FOOD (no one in congress noticed that bacon went from $3.29 per 12oz package to $7.39 per same package in less than 4 years? That a box of same cereal has gone from $2.99 per 15oz box to $5.19 for 12oz box? of course not, they are not living ON THE RAZORS EDGE like those of us barely with a roof over our head …)
Since Obama’s terms began in 2008/2009, the COLA on ssdi benefits have been the overall LOWEST (of the some-40 years since the COLA was begun in 1975), AND the past 8 years have seen THREE of those years at ZERO (or close to zero, as this year’s).
CRIMINAL.
The idiots who ‘determined’ there ‘was no increase in the consumer price index’ this past year.
I live on less than $50 a week for food, I ABSOLUTELY know prices increased because there are basic items I have no longer been able to buy this year, that I was barely able to last year. Now, the coming year means I will be trying to live on EVEN LESS!
When you’re living so close to the edge, not being able to buy a gallon of milk, or a loaf of bread, a week, can literally mean there are EVEN MORE hungrier days ahead… ;-(
You don’t get back what you pay in. Current taxpayers’ contributions go to people on SS at that time.
Do not cast your pearls, amongst SWINE
I agree 100%. The politicians are getting richer while SS recipients are poorer. I can barely pay my bills. I just wish each one of the politicians had to live on my income for a month. Probably would not cover their gasoline bill.
For sure. They’re all corrupt!!
You are right Ed.
I agree, they should have to live at least one year on our income, then see what they think.
Probably couldn’t live, then couldn’t afford to bury themselves. ha
Social Security was never intended to provide your only income in retirement but rather to supplement other income and savings
Yea but now Social Security barely covers the cost of my spouses and my health insurance.
You thank OBAMACARE for that problem!!
change the house and senate, they have the control……
And for those of us who became disabled 30 years ago and cannot add to our income and “savings”???
Last year we got no COLA because, the excuse we got, gas prices went down. Since I only leave home to drive 7 mi each way, once a week, that was ABSURD! Just my taxes and insurance on my home went up more than 20%!!!!!!!
And how about us caregivers that would love to work but can’t?
I hear ya blanc,I am also disabeled. My mortgage is almost my entire SS ck.I sell on eBay to supplement my income to not lose the house or have my utilities shut off. Thank God I have 3 daughters who help.
I agree with you 200%. I’m also disabled and can’t work, Lord knows I would love to more than anything in this world!! I worked 2&3 jobs at a time, so I’m not lazy or a stranger to working!! But our Congress has no idea what it’s like to have to live off of the little that we get every month!! I struggle to pay my bills, but yet my premium for Humana goes up… My cost for my meds goes up, and I’m on a lot of meds!! They reduce the amount of my foodstamps by $35 when I get a $2 a month raise, so there’s no use in me even getting them any longer!!!
I just don’t understand how they can decide that we can make it on what little they decide to give us!! When all along they give themselves a good raise and live very comfortable lives…
What I wouldn’t give to not be disabled, but I can’t change what has happened to me and I have to live with it for whatever time I have left. I feel like our Congress could do better by our seniors and our disabled Americans. Do they not grocery shop? Do they not see the price of food and how high it’s gotten? How are we suppose to be able to eat fresh fruits and vegetables when they cost so much that we can’t afford to buy them?? And they wonder why people are over weight? It’s because they eat whatever they can afford to buy!!
I guess I’m done ranting, if that’s what you want to call it!! I’m just upset with Congress, as usual…
I keep hitting our county assessors office to try to lower my taxes. I got it down a little last year so for this year they raised my assessment over $5,000. That means it goes up again. I take all the exemptions I am qualified for but most homes around me pay less!
True, however, the .3% increase does not begin to reflect the cost of living. We got a big gOOse egg last year. How quick these corrupt politicians forget!
Hey Linda, that’s who is supposed to help you…..YOUR daughters, not taxpayers. If you can’t make ends meet with the payment you get from SSA, then whose fault is that? Tell you daughters I said “Thanks” for taking care of their Mom. It’s their job, not mine, right? I don’t even know you;)
they want to be reelected!! give me a break, they need to be shot!
They can keep my .03 percent.
That is just an insult. They raise their pay thousands at a time and then whine about that.
You nasty !
So, you must have a pretty good retirement,or whatever income you get to live on to make that kind of UN Empathetic remark. Maybe you need a little taste of being really poor and having a bad time. People like you make me sick! Less see, you go to Church, right? The type that prays and pretends to be a Christian and then turns your back on the needy except in other countries, probably got a few Charities you donate to, so not to make you feel like your not doing something to help the poor. Lady, you don’t fool anybody. Your a big Fat Hypocrite! You live in your on little make believe world and go around making hurtful comments to people that are less fortunate than you. I have a well off Sister like that and she treats me like a stranger and I have never asked her for anything and I have to live on an SSI disability because of Severe Anxiety disorder and Lupus and a few other physical ailments that make it impossible for me to work. Why don’t you quit trying to act like you wouldn’t be the first Leech in line at the DHS and Social Security offices if your little bubble busted and you didn’t have your comfortable income to live on. Gag! I think I need to throw up because you make me so sick.
they dont really care Burt. they couldnt live one month on what they give us. a measly 3% raise is nothing to get overjoyed about not when the raise everything else. my husband and i both are disabled and cant work. we wish all the time that we could find something to suppplement our income. we both have a lot of meds that arent cheap to try and get each month on top of all the other bills. we barely get by and barely ever can afford to go buy a hamburger. they get big increases in their salary while we get pennies
What kind of goose egg are you talking about that you all got last year?? Because we didn’t get anything last year, they said that because of gas prices we weren’t getting a COLA!!!
Burt, are you talking about the increase to Medicare of $121.80. I had to pay that too. This year mine will be $127.00. Some will pay $134.00 and 70% will pay $108.00. for those who want to complain, the state will pay that cost for you if your income is around $1,300+ or -. That would bring your total along with scripts paid by the state around $1,450 approximately per month! By the way are your drugs paid by you or the state! I’m sorry If I have become offensive but I struggled to work for 45 years and now all my ailments of the past are showing up and have to be addressed and no one but me will have to cover the cost! Count your blessings!
The .3% raise does not even cover the costs for Medicare. Medicare medical insurance for my wife rose 1.5% and 5.8% for myself. Needless to say, our overall benefits went down. And they say that we were given a raise? Where?
there are some of us that are not well off like you or you would not make such a stupid remark!!!!!!
Yeah, you all are right ,that little increase just means we have to pay more of something else. One the gas is higher then electric so what are you going to do when you still can’t paid all your bills and get put off the Hud program because you can’t pay all of your utilities. Answer that for me please. Don’t smile to soon because the joke is still on us.
TRUE ITS NOT OUR DAUGHTERS JOB TO TAKE CARE OF US , WE PAID ALL THOSE YEARS TO SS. BUT THE PEOPLE IN THE WHITE GET 3% FOR NOTHING THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO H. NOT IN A BASKET CAN’T AFORD ONE.
But what about those who CAN’T go to work???
Not everyone has the blessing of a savings account Laurie.I am widowed,my late husband got Alzheimers and had to take an early SS,so of course he got less.
How can it be a supplement only when taxes are so high that you have no savings. Also I am a Widow and I still work . also when I get a rise from SS my husband’s SS that I get they take money off of his.. how is that fair so there for I get the same amount I started with.
Linda & Trish,
Yep. 13 years of his Alzheimer’s and I am now a widow, too.
It isn’t righteous,that isn’t right at all to you. In addition to that, the reason it isn’t okay is because you feel the effect from it. You and your husband face that struggle and no one is listening. Everyone is pointing, blaming, excusing, justifying, etc. . . it is going to require a monumental movement in order to have them hear. Not riots in the streets, but We the People.
Life is not always fair. My husband’s Alzheimer’s wiped out 401(k) retirement accounts and small inheritances. Our house was also sold to cover his board and care until we were poor enough for him to qualify for a veteran’s pension. That pension and his Social Security retirement paid only half of the going rate for board and care. Meanwhile, I worked full-time and our son was in his teens. Best laid plans and all of that. All I have is Social Security retirement. So I am still working at 70. Sigh.
That is a truly unfortunate situation. Your. Husband’s service to this country is truly appreciated. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles, and I hope things work out for you eventually. Best wishes
Elizabeth,my husband had home care through the VA at no cost to me so I could work. We had to pay all other cost because of hospital stays,Dr. Visits, and 19 Meds. The should not have charged for home care as Medicare charges 0.0 co-pays for home care up to 5 hours a day and the VA does the same!
But when you out live your retirement savings and you are too old to work, SS isn’t enough to live on. Mc ins higher plus deductibles go up. Pres. bush at least gave 5% raise when he left office.
Some people never paid into another pension and thought social security would provide for them the same amount of pay they got by working. No, they get about 65 % or less of what they earned monthly.
EXACTLY, Laurie…a fact that MOST refuse to recognize…save, save, save today because tomorrow, YOU WILL NEED IT!!!
Yeah but when your job was sent overseas and your pension cut, some people do need to live on it. Ex-steelworker 1972-91
You are absolutely correct! Can you also tell me hou to overcome 12 years of in and out of hospitals,transplant visits with all it cost and death affects someone’s finances when the spouse finally dies at the ripe age of 63! Some people prepare for old age just to have the money ripped from their hands by hospital,medical,death,etc. please don’t preach if you don’t know the circumstance! I went through it and only survived by instinct!
Sorry,I need to say I do better than many other people! My home was paid off before retirement!
Well all that I paid in through the years I could live very comfortably.
I was injured in a car accident that, several years later, 100% disabled me. Worked since I was 16 on up to my 40’s, before having to go on ssdi. I never intended it to be my ‘sole income’, but that is what has happened.
Please don’t state something like that (that people shouldn’t EXPECT to live solely on benefits, and/or that retirement/disability benefits were never ‘intended’ to be only source of income! No one, of mine or previous generations, EXPECTED to be disabled and living 100% on ssdi benefits, or having to work AND receive social security until they dropped dead!
We WERE assured our (ssdi or retirement) benefits would be adequate to provide a basic living income ‘someday’, and it is why we dutifully paid a large portion of our WORKING WAGES into them BOTH our whole working life, as INSURANCE.
Not trying to sound mean or petty, but for those of us older than 50, we most certainly WERE given the promise that we were paying into SECURITY (for older years, or unexpected injury/disability, or both)!
U r only allowed to make so much on ss and thats after age 65 under that age u are not allowed to make anything or ss will deduct the amount u make from your ss check.To beat the system u have to be a crooked politician,which they all are.
a disgrace politic’s sals cut by 2/3 and shld be only part time who needs them?Most are crooks dems rebup.. also 2 terms only anything else cause corruption and greed!
An Increase in #SocialSecurity Benefits in 2017 http://blog.socialsecurity.gov/an-increase-in-social-security-benefits-in-2017/#.WAZ5bKdoCeI.twitter … $3 bucks per thousand ureal the SSA should be ashamed
That is $30 per thousand. Still not much.
Sorry friend.
SSA says .3 percent. That equals just $3.00/thousand. Or a small latte once a month.
$.30 for every $100 dollars you get a month.
They are all a bunch of crooked people who don’t give even a good damn about us. IT IS OUR MONEY. I paid into Social Security for 41 years and retired at age 64 and I made decent salary – I ended up with only 1304 a month! Everything is going up up up – not down. They are crazy to only give .3% – they act like the social security fund is tied i with the federal budget – how crazy. It is a SEPARATE fund and at last count should have over 3 trillion dollars in it. They need to get the low life worthless liars that get it on being drunks and druggies off social security, and get the LAZY ones off that lie to get a check that don’t want to work that never paid into it and then give the hard working class that actually worked ad PAID INTO IT more each month. How sad it all is.
I get 701.10
Exactly!!! They could not do it and live like we do and survive!!!!!
I checked my ssi disability income and got a $2 raise. Wow. I only get $735 for ssi disability. I’m 40 years old and took me 27 months to get ssi. Bad thing is I ran out of points in 2012 to receive SSA disability. I applied for disability income in 2013 and a year later my lawyer tells me I only can get is ssi disability income because 3 months before I applied for disability my points ran out. How our government thinks living off $735 a month is possible , they are wrong. I will never get Medicare to help with RX coverage isn’t fair. Medicaid is good for my Dr appointments but for my rx coverage is unfair and causes me to go without my medications. Because TennCare Medicaid only pays for 5 prescriptions. My medications come to $1237 a month cause Medicaid won’t pay for them. The disease I suffer from causes me to lose my limbs. I’ve already lost my right leg and fixing to lose my left leg and left hand. So I’m in pain every day of my life when I can’t afford the meds to keep me to live at some what a normal pain free life. My doctors have done everything to get Medicaid to help pay for my meds. I have to pay out of pocket for 5 out of 8 medications I am on. Plus trying to pay to live. But illegal immigrants get better benefits than i do. Medicaid wants me to be in meds that are approved but they do not help. Where on 1 of my meds cost me $692 where if I could get Medicare I would only pay $1.20. I try to purchase a rx coverage plank but was told I can’t cause I have Medicaid. I wish i could go back to work but I can’t. So our government needs to help us more.
I agree they would not live on what we get a mo. we worked for years to live on very little the rent alone is more then we get in most places,
so very true and they don’t care they just wish all senior citizens would die so we couldn’t collect anything
You are so right, Joy….. Politicians like Bill and Hillary go in with empty pockets claiming they are going to help the POOR and middle class and look at them now, they are millionaires, while the poor and middle class are poorer and jobless…..
Gloria
You got that right
True. I agree
JoY, total agree Thumb Up
Me too!
I got the .3 percent raise in my SSA check ($2). It was promptly counteracted by Soc Svcs reducing my food stamps by $2/month. Where, exactly, is my “increase”? I can’t live off my SSA check regardless, it is much too small. The Fed and State governments should be utterly ashamed- and FIX THIS MESS! It’s so unbelievably bad for seniors, disabled and even veterans, I wonder if Washington is run by a bunch of sociopaths. What other kind of people could put these kinds of policies in place?!
The statement that I received announcing the 0.3% increase did not show an increase in my record nor for my husband. Where is the tiny 3%?
yeah my o.3%id not increase my ss check one penny..i know its only that my supplemental insurance went up $6.00 and my plan d plan went up $14.00 so they could have kept that o.3% which is only $3.45 for me
2017 colo increase is a joke
SS was never meant to be one’s sole means of support. The original concept was a “three-legged stool” comprised of SS, savings and pension. However, corporate greedheads and Wall Street looted our savings and destroyed pension benefits. Any talk of CUTTING SS benefits is just cruel. Yes, I’m looking at YOU, GOP voters!
You don’t think that a .3% increase is going to change that do you? Medical premiums are going up much more than that.
My increase comes to less than $4 a month.
It’s a JOKE!!!!!
I agree with Kathy. What is 0.3 percent going to do? Nice the politicians stabbed us in the back after years of not getting a raise and working so hard
Enough For Candy Bar a Month lmao !!!
Candy is full of sugar and is very bad for inflammation. What we need is free prescriptions.
At the end o the month, when you are broke. Haved to watch for a BOGO!
]
@ Paul, getting rid of all corrupt government should make a change of those who doesn’t agree with the government policy.
Paul,we won’t get that money. It all goes to Medicare!
I AGREE
And Congress gets a big fat raise while we the people are the back bone of this nation
Congress has no vote NOT to get their AUTOMATIC pay raises. As long as we vote for incumbents we are all screwed.
right on we reelect the same clowns hoping there will be change and there want be.
Linda, here is your chance to vote these politicians out of office. Why do you think they become politicians? Look at the Clintons, from being broke now they are almost billionaires. The COLA that we are getting is a disgrace and an insult!
All. The Clinton’s had to do was rob their Foundation! Have you wondered why it is under investigation? They lost $1,000,000 from what I heard!
Your Social Security payment is based on the number of years and how much you made while working. Did you save any other money that you could be using to supplement your SS? How about getting a part time job?
You are an idiot. I worked for over 50 years. No way most people can save. People can’t work forever.
I agree with you, some people are insensitive. The economy is horrible and with so many layoffs and age discrimination many people were forced to take early retirement benefits..think back to Enron when employees were saving for a rainy day , before the company went belly up, because inside thieves stole. People need to think on two sides of the street instead of one side..we need to be careful on how we criticize those who are struggling.
What did you work AT? Low-paying jobs do not get as much money since they pay in less than high-paying jobs. I worked for 32 years and have been disabled for 34 thanks to catching my mother when she fell and ripping my body apart BUT I was a research scientist, and university administrator and paid high amounts into Social Security. What about all of you people that are complaining?
I agree what was left to save ? after you pay your bill , feed the family , support them . nothing to save ,, and if you didhave a few $$$. saved always some thing came up . you needed it for >>
galidink
If you have equity in your home a reverse mortgage might work for you. It changed my mom’s lifestyle and now they are improved. Also look into having help with paying medicare supplement premiums. Property tax breaks are available for seniors as well as grants available for paying utility bills. These are real and make a huge difference. Foodshelves can supplement your groceries and there are community programs that distribute fresh produce, meat, staples and near expiration date products. Check with the local churches for programs that help seniors with home repairs. Good luck! I know it can be tough but there is help.
You are right, Grambi is a total jerk.
Amen.
Had you worked for a company that offered a pension you would be well off today.
Had you saved $25.00 a week you would have a nest egg of $65,000 plus interest after 50 years of saving that money. It may not be a lot, but it’s more than saving nothing.
How astute of you. I started working when pay was fifty cents an hour. That goes into figuring my amt. of S.S. I am now 76 years old, have stage 4 cancer, a broken back, a hernia and gallstones and you recommend I get a job. Thanks. Why didn’t I think of that?
Lorene, I’m so very sorry for your situation. Wish I could offer more 💕
Lorena I will keep you in my prayers!
Praying for you.
I do hope a better life for you Lorena. I just celebrated my “4-score”. I receive both SS & a reasonable pension. (as does my husband). My husband and I pay zero for our meds. grace be to military. We have lost two children. My husband has undergone 4 serious surgeries. (amazingly, the only time I’ve spent in a hospital was to give birth. The last was 1967). Still we eke out a reasonable living which would have been better if unforeseen circumstances had not occurred; like deaths of family members without insurance for which we were able to foot the bills. Every cent we receive is NEEDED! Please don’t worry your already taxed health about comments spoken from those who just may know Your Story…God Bless You!
Trump os going to limit terms to congressdors not matter gop or dem!i have no Obama relative to give me a lifetime pension of $160,000 ayear like obama gave his mothet in law before he leaves office.hope trump takes it away,then let him and michelle keep her.they have plenty between them.
How about just cutting me a check for all the money I paid into SS for the past 45 years. It wasn’t a choice. I will NEVER see my “savings” !
.110% Agree! (the decimal intended pun)
We get more than what we paid in, so the longer you live the more you’ll get from social security.
You would waste it all within 10 years and have nothing for the next 20 years.
talk more it’s an important reminder of the overwhelming mountain of ignorance we have to overcome in order to restore democracy that encompasses all humanity
I’m 98 YEARS .DO YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A PART TIME JOB.
You can sell snow cones at the Park and that’s not hard to do.
Walmart as a greeter.
Jack should be ASHAMED OF HIMSELF for even making those suggestions.
Hon, if you are 98, I commend you, but you need to RELAX and allow the lazy younger folk to work those ‘jobs’.
I cannot believe anyone would disrespect a nigh-CENTARIAN by advising them of JOB opps.
And it’s a DIRTY SHAME our government is not taking better care of its previous hard-working citizens that you, active though you might be for your wondrous age, would even have to consider returning to the workforce…
I know the pain, however, you must be experiencing, as the cost of living is so high there is not enough left for food or medicines, and we too often feel forced to choose one over the other … ;-(
Twice the government has taken a trillion dollars from SS , and put it into general funds, and was to be payed back, and not a penny has been.
And don’t forget the 717 trillion they stole from Medicare for Obama Care
Exactly! I was wondering if anyone was going to mention all the money they have TAKEN from social security and not paid back. And thank you for your service, Retired American and Vietnam Veteran!
Companies do not want to hire anyone over50 nowthe government only allows so much into ss fund when it gets over a certain amount they take itand add it to thier fund,the same with medicare,look at Obama, he took $600 billion from medicare for his obamacare.and who do you think makes it up?s s recipients in co pays,ins.premiums,etc.
Thank you! After my legs heal from surgery,I will go back to the gym and then try to get a part time job and save it all for a rainy day. Yehaa
If I start working, my SSA benefits or food stamps will get slashed equal to whatever pay I receive. It’s a no-win situation, and after being driven into sheer poverty by trying to survive off an SSA check you couldn’t live off of in a 3rd world country, NO! I can’t “save”. There is never enough, and though I imagine you meant well, I’d just like to state for everyone’s knowledge it’s insulting to hear, “well, can’t you save or work?” The whole government system makes sure we can’t.
it’s more than that it is a disgrace/ Who needs these politicos full time?. they do very little and many are not even there 50% plus of the time. Corrupt pigs who get in to get rich.. ( is that why that happens the longer they are in? Sals shld be cut 2/3 and they should be part time only and 2 terms only . we don’t need these slobs and we certainly don’t need the political appointees to many of these bureaucratic posts , ( most have no knowledge and just suck ass of who ever is in power) so many hard to count like social security execs Ridiculous! Name any fede agency it is all a fraud!..Send them home!
Jeff, well said. Here is you chance, make sure you vote them out!
i agree, also we forget $4 is taxable so we are not getting any thing from the government not even coffee and top of that we will be paying more for Medicare premium which is not yet announced. All Politician all over the world just talk during the election how good we will do if you put me in the office and then forget until the next election. Nothing we can do except not to elect them on their promises.
As I understand the hold harmless portion of Medicare law. Your medicare can not increase more than you SS increase so that would mean a 0.3 increase in the medicare part b Premium from 104.90 to 105.21. So you will have some of the $4 left.
looks like if you get 1500 and under its all going to Medicare it was a flat increase, mom 94 go 1045 net last year todays form stated she will get the same next year and her med advantage wet up about 4 bucks so she 48 dollors in the whole for 17 4th time in 8 yrs and 1 yr was flat 250 instead of a raise further decreasing ss. bet most forgot that deal got a 1 yr only raise do not forget policies over 8 yrs has made people who save mone in banks lose ground as bank interest is a fraction of inflation when useally its even or higher so responsible srs got screwed 2x
but hammer your kids and grand kids to invest in 401 or iras as ss is only going to get worst for them
i got disabled after a long recession layoff and had no disability quarters irs save me but i had to lose 25% For early retirement and between back trouble and a elderly mom i cannot even get part time
Ron, you get nothing more than last year! I was told all .003% goes to Medicare. Medicare is the only reason SS was increased,to cover the void in Medicare cost!
Too bad we just got our benefits mailing and all of the “increase” went to medicare and none went in our pockets. Now as to those of you who are lucky enough to have a pension and SSA, there will always be people who make more than you and there will always be those who make less than you. Who would do the “dirty” work you hire out because you don’t or can’t do it? Those who make ridiculously small SSA should have it raised to the federal poverty level. Those that have far more than that should get a lowered SSA. The idea is that there is a safety net for folks who couldn’t, for whatever reason, earn huge amounts of money. I am noticing that those who have a lot of money are telling others to go to work [the 98 year old lady comes to mind]. Those making far less have much more compassion for those making little. There is a lesson here: It seems that those who have least are the most compassionate and those who have more complain and are the least compassionate.
I got no increase at all!
Read this carefully. It is .3 percent or 1/3 of one percent. You will not even notice this in your check.
It isn’t one third it is even smaller. 3/10 is what we get. I would take 1/3.
You need to learn math.
Medicare premiums are going up to 121.80 mo….so that wipes out the increase and more dollars. Means, social security checks will be less in 2017. This is a joke !
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
I already have the information on my 2017 Medicare increase and it’s more than the increase that I will be getting in my check… So even though I’m getting a raise, I’m getting stuck with more premiums to pay next year that are double what I was paying!!!
Not to mention the price of my meds are going up as well, and I’m only getting a $2.00 a month raise…
Yes, for every dollar you get in your social security you’ll get a $.03 raise.
It will not increase or decrease your check! I got my statement yesterday and they knocked off .65 cents from my .003% increase. Don’t know where that money went! I was told that your benefit could not be decreased but why did they take the extra? They don’t like me calling them!LOL
Karen 1/3 percent equals .333+ percent ; 0.003 is the same as .3 percent.
.3% ? That pretty much adds up to a slap on the face. That is disgusting. How many years have we gone without an increase and now they scrape up a .3%. I bet THEIR raise will be a hell of a lot more than that and they don’t even do anything!
.3 is disgusting, that’s like $6.00 for me. But they can send billions of dollars to other countries and Americans have to suffer.
Be thankful for something. Could have be Zero.
Might as well have been 0. Last two years with no raise and now $5 or $6 a month, how generous.
Might as well have been zero. They will offset the increase by taking it back in some other form of taxation.
THANKFUL FOR WHAT , THEY SENT 400.000 MILLION TO IRAN THAT A SLAP IN THE FACE.
Awww, Pam, congratulations! I want to live to be your age and beyond. I hope you have more birthdays!
It HAS been ZERO, two years in a row! This .3 ‘increase’ (less than $4 IF medicare increases haven’t already wiped it out – and for me, public housing has increased my rent over $20 a month every year x 6!) is a SICK JOKE! It’s ZERO in every way imagineable but for medicare’s uses.
Obama’s two terms have seen the LOWEST (go look it up, the 1975 to 2015 COLA graph!) COLA ‘s in FORTY YEARS, and more ZERO ‘increases’ in his presidency than all of the other 32 years COMBINED!
All that talk of the SURPLUSES in SS over the previous years, when that money was FOR the boomers coming in NOW, should never have been counted by the government as ‘free money’ – now we are PAYING AGAIN, for bureaucrat spending of money WE PAID INTO SS/SSDI the first time…
@ s ryan, it has NOTHING to do with Obama! The formulae have been in place for decades. Stop acting like history began in 2004. It’s people like you who gave us Trump.
Be thankful for something. Could have be Zero and you receive absolutely nothing.
What kind of idiot are you? Are you here, just to annoy people? Moron
Well said, Herb. Winding up with actually LESS than last year is obviously worse than “could of been zero”. Sheesh.
IKR, THEY, OUR GOVERNMENT; CAN SEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR WHATEVER REASON!!!! BUT OUR GOVERNMENT WON’T DO ANYTHING TO HELP AMERICANS RIGHT HERE AT HOME…
I SAY TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE AT HOME FIRST, THEN YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE THAT WILL HAVE YOUR BACK… We the American people are more important than sending money to a third world country! Take care of America first!!!
Although there was no COLA increase last year (2016) there was an increase for 2015, 2014, and 2013. If you’re going to complain, at least get your facts straight. Mischaracterizing, exsggerating, ir displaying a lack if knowledge of the issues, only damages your credibility.
There’s a retired government worker for ‘ya!
And none of those previous COLAs kept up to nearly the REAL cost of living. We, the disabled, ratchet downward in poverty every year. Even Medicare is a screw job. They only pay what ever they decide is “reasonable” and, after copays and deductibles, I still had to pay another $1000 for a simple overnight surgery.
I got no raise last two years and you didn’t either. Last raise started January 2014.
Thank you!! I didn’t get one either!!
We received no increase the last two years. Yet the overall cost of living continues up.
It is time that the WH gives our citizens the increase instead of all the illegals who get everything free.
In our next lifetime we all should come back as illegals.
I agree 1000%!!!
Oh, brother! SS has its own dedicated fund. Immigrants legal or otherwise have nothing to do with SS funding. But I guess racists always find it easy to blame The Other.
Mark,why are you even on this blog since you are so high & mighty? Love the trolls who chastise others!
As do your condescending comments
The last two years we have not had an increase.
The government has always been insensitive to the needs of the people; when you apply for food stamps, they tell you your income is too high so they give you $15 to $10 to eat off of, but yet if you have a gang of babies you get $1,000 worth to sell to those who scam the system.
You need to learn to read.
People we are not getting 3% we are getting 0.3%. on $1000 would be $30.00. 0.3% will be 3.00. Then they will turn around and raise our Medicare payment by the same amount. Write your Congressman or woman. I know their reply will be well we don’t have anything to do with that. When contact AARP.
What is used to calculate COLA? Prices are up on bread, prescriptions, meat (not that I buy it any more), rent, etc. I am afraid to retire.
The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA. You can find details about the new COLA at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
Mr. Ray Fernandez, Public Affairs Specialist,
Here is the Absolute Bottom Line: The Federal Government needs to get out of the Insurance & Healthcare Business. Social Security needs to be Privatized & Administered by Non-Politicians. Healthcare needs to be deregulated to create competition & drive costs down. The way I see it, our country has been run by career politicians for the last 2 ½ centuries. Where has that gotten us? I too think having leadership by a non-career politician is EXACTLY what this country needs as well.
Now, the COLA configurations that are being presented to us on http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola I believe are incorrect assessments. These calculations do not comply with current rises on products and services!! How can anyone who is on SSA or SSDI be able to afford anything when these calculations are inconsistent with the rise in rates on Medicare Premiums & Health Care, not to mention the current increases in products and services being sold in the USA?
I truly believe these current calculations & configurations are ridiculous and unacceptable!! I do believe this system is broken and needs to be re-formatted almost immediately. The CPI-W is for people who are currently working, right? If this is the case, then where is the TRUE COLA for SSA & SSDI Recipients? 0.3%, Seriously? Sorry, I find this to be a ridiculous attempt at telling the great people of the United States of America they’re getting that so-called “Raise”!!
The CPI for food is based essentially on what a bag of groceries cost 60 years ago.
The Cola does not use food in their calculations, stating the food prices are to Volatile.
After the news says that wages have gone up 3% this year!
If they get a larger raise we should call them out on it as they take taxpayer money they didn’t pay into. Maybe the laws should be changed and voters should be allowed to vote on their raises! Sounds right to me!
Me encantaria saber como hacen los cálculos de costo de vida. Si el comisionado tuviera que vivir con lo que se recibe por SS, estoy seguro no estaría gordo y lustroso como se ve en la foto. Si hubiera inventido lo aportado por mis patrones y lo mio podria haber comprado dos casas modestas y la renta seria el triple de lo que me envian.
You need a translation.
Here is a prime example of the freeloaders who get our COLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXACTLY Ron 😉
Since you don’t have all the facts, it is not appropriate to name call.
Shame on you, Ron.
For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov or http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial.
I need to get myself an English and Spanish dictionary.
or a computer program that will translate for you
why don’t they get a program to turn that gibberish to english. OR JUST PRESS !
Maybe it was a typo? Surely our wonderful government meant to type 3.0 instead of .03 .. smh .. ridiculous!!
I sure hope it was an error.
Its not an error, its a joke, an insulting joke! State taxes have risen, groceries have risen, medical insurance has risen, medical co-payments have risen. The only thing that the price has gone down is gasoline, and most of us burn little of that as we no longer commute. The powerful Washington elites only worry about their own butts.
I was informed by MediCaid, that I now have too high of an income so I need to give them a $700.00 deductible. My income’s been the same since our last big raise. I’ve been Disabled for 17 yrs and live on Soc Sec Dis. I dont think we’ll get the new medicare deductibles until after the voting is done. Now CA is doing a trial study. They want to start charging a mileage tax. Think Oregon is in on the study too.
It is .03 % not 3%. I’ll be sending mine back as I feel it is a blatant insult .
.3%
Me too, Ill take 10% and be happy..
No error.
No. Do the math. .3percent means .03 x 100.
3 tenths of 1% is the same as .003. So for every $1000 in SS you get multiply it by .003 = 3 dollar a month increase. What an insult. Now they will be able to increase the Medicare monthly deductible from your check. If they do, you may be surprised that you end up with even less than you get now. Thanks for nothing.
They cannot deduct for Medicare from your SS more than the amount of the increase in SS.
Basically, all of the .3% increase will be deducted for the Medicare premium.
DREAM ON
This is so true. Then they give us this small increase and what happens; Medicare takes it. Everything is going up but our benefits that we worked for and paid into.
So true and I worked 37.5 years and I’m going to have to go back to work.
I feel for you, your latter yrs should be your better yrs..
if someone will even hire you.
Tell your adult children to provide a stipend to you since you supported them. Not bragging, but mine don’t have to since I get two pensions.
I noticed Congress received their raises as usual. Useless Crooks.
Ofcourse; they got substantial raises. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
They will continue to be crooks til this world ends.
Not if you keep electing them.
Well look at the choices we have to vote for ! Sad , sad times. I am concerned for my grandkids
NO, I did not say that. Read the first one again and then think – think about enforcement of ideas in written statements. I am leaving because this discussion and its editors are either stupid, ignorant or uneducated.
You deserve all that you get.
Believe me..HE’s on His way! Praise Jehovah! Amen!
over .03 percent? Kind of over dramatic
God is on his way to save us all.
YES THEY WILL.
They are “crooks” because everyone who voted them in elected them. Did you?
Amen…that’s the problem with the government. They raise theirs and they will get paid rest of their life. Say what? That’s why we are in deficit. Senators and congressmen get paid for a lifetime working or not.
Michelle Obama”s Mother was paid by the tax payers to be a nanny for their two children for 8 Years. Recently I read an article she will no get a $166000.00 a year government pension for life for her service.
Stop reading Breitbart, your brain is rotting.
That text says it ALL.
THANK YOU
But, notice that it states that much of the increase will go towards the increase in the cost of medicare…so we really aren’t getting anything! So a raise is basically, BS.
Huh some big raise. We’re getting about a $2 raise! That will certainly help! NOT!
Thank you for speaking for many of us.
Read what & how the “Cost Of Living Adjustment” increase is calculated then you will understand.
You are an idiot. The only thing that hasn’t gone up is the price of gasoline.
It’s not that we don’t UNDERSTAND!
It’s that the process is a fraud, doesn’t acknowledge reality for the mainly elderly and/or disabled, and that’s been pointed out for years.
Just because we’re poor and disabled doesn’t mean we’re stupid! I worked my way through college and I started paying Social Security when I was 17, 52 years ago.
All right now, Im with you on that..
I agree. Why quibble over the math of 3 or .3 or .03 percent raise. None of those options would help me have enough to live on. That is the real point, and I’m not going to be distracted by silly math arguments.
My rent has gone up $158 in the 10 months and I get a .3% increase? Gee, thanks.
Why are you still renting because most people pay off their home before they retire?
That’s an idiotic statement.
Instead of complaining, read or research how your Social Security is calculated based on your past working earnings before retiring. The COLA, or Cost Of Living Adjustment, is based on certain costs during the present year.
Too late as the people complaint are retired already.
Knowing how it’s calculated does NOT assuage the anger over the clever ways they have arranged to screw us. To not give us our money they will even find a new way to recalculate as they have in the past or change other aspects like they did this year.
BRAVO 👏👏👏
Work for SS, do you Marge? We’re not stupid nor are we uninformed. We’re angry about the injustice and the lies surrounding that.
Those “certain costs” do not line up with the reality of the elderly and/or disabled, (I am both), costs of living.
But what the hay! Reality never served the administrators well did it?
You go, I like your statements, some people never want to face reality, but always want to right in la la land; I refuse to be pacified, right is right, the government will never be for us.
Americans are taxed to death,property taxes,tax on purchases,gas taxes,etc. then the immigrants are let in and given a FREE PASS. Subsidised housing,medical,food stamps,etc. Also,billions go over seas and the American tax payer has NO say in where their taxes go.
just like you are huh… it’s called projection just FYI
Automatic benefit increases, also known as cost-of-living adjustments or COLAs, have been in effect since 1975, and it is based on the annual increase in consumer prices.
whose CPI? My personal CPI has increased more than .3%
the CPI needs to reflect the cost that the average person who receives SSI, SSDI or SSR.
not the cost of the average working person
After 0 increase for 2016 and a low increase in 2015, the increase for 2017 is at least 1.5 for any SS of $1000 or lower. 1 per cent for $1001 and higher. The estimate of .3 per cent for 2017 is an insult.
Yes it is!!!!!!!
Indeed! Especially since you will not even see the 1 iota of the 3%.
Heck yeah. And why isn’t income over 127,000 taxed by SS?
“cause the rich get richer, while the poor just suffer”… it is called, SOCIALISM!
Another idiotic statement.
Congress would have to raise the earnings cap, that’s why!
We also need dental care and vision also not only for the lowest income, give the one with a modest income. To have a way to obtain some of the cost we earn is while working. Okay. 😂
I so agree…and the tax payers pay for those.. which includes us
It is 0.3 increase!! You will be lucky to see $4.00 a month increase! It’s a joke!
Amen!
We as retirees need to protest about this. I ‘m alone and it is hard to keep food on my table. You can forget about going on a vacation. It;s a shame before Almighty God. God be with us all.
Im on SSDI, and it literally breaks my heart knowing I, like too many are not getting enough assistance, therefore housing, food, basic necessities are a premium unaffordable for too many!
0.03%, SERIOUSLY????
It’s almost an insult at 0.3%! Have they not considered the rise in everything especially food? Yes, I know fuel has come down, but almost everything else has gone up to a point a lot of Seniors cant make it.And if they would stop taking the funds out of Social Security for other things, maybe we could get a decent raise.
So sad after waiting for this .03 % is nothing. Most of us are way below poverty leval. Any many is all that they receive.
Well Said, but 0.30% is not even 1.0%!? What is congress thinking?
Staciee, do you realize how little 0.3 percent amounts to on say $1000, it is $3.00. Yet Congress will get 3.0% on $174.000. That comes to a raise of $5220. Something needs to change.
WE NEED A 25% INCREASE AND WE NEED IT NOW!!!!!
To get big raises, American companies should show their patriotism by bringing offshore jobs back to the USA! The additional SSA tax revenue would allow for the bigger raises year after year.
I agree! However this increase is so small it is laughable!
This country is so full of its self when it comes to taking care of its own. Billions to other countries and can’t take care of elderly or disabled. There shouldn’t be a single person of any age below the poverty level in this Country. It wouldn’t be what it is if not for parents and grandparents. When my Mom started working minimum wage was $1.15 an hour. Its batsted on what you paid in what about some of the people who never paid in anything? Not saying anything bad about them maybe they were disabled or a housewife. It still isn’t fair for people like my Mom to draw less. Try living on $900 a month I dare you. Dad thing is people probably draw less. No inflation, a lot of that is based on the price of gas most seniors and disabled are more interested in a bottle of blood pressure medicine or gallon of milk. It’s easy to sit in an office with furniture and accessories in it that are worth more than a rundown house that some of these seniors and disabled live in and say “Here’s $4 more a year but cost of your Medicare is going up $10 more per year. This country is the most disrespectful country there is when it comes to those who have given us life and built this country OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS. This is unacceptable what happen to the money that was borrowed from Social Security? Those who voted for this need to live for 6 months on what our Seniors and disabled do. Getting older isn’t that the thing most people strive for? There weren’t retirement plans and IRA’s back when. They were promised pay it in and we (the government) will take care of you. Another political LIE. So sad
THANK YOU KECIA, VERY WELL PUT😄👍😊..
I DON’T THINK I COULD HAVE DONE ANY BETTER..
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAD TO SAY…
well stated
I totally agree!
I agree,the fat cats get fatter while we struggle 🙁
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!
0.3%. NOT 3%. Can’t buy a kibble with that!!! Give me a break…
Oh good! They gave us a .3% increase. Yay. That means they can raise the Medicare rate, which means we will have more out of pocket expenses and lose even more income. They can’t raise the Medicare rate unless they give a COLA increase. Here it is.
What do you mean, “about time”? 3 tenths of one percent. On a thousand dollars that amounts to 3 (three) dollars. And most of that will be wiped out by a Medicare premium increase. What a joke!
Thank you!! The increase in my pay will only be $2- $3 a month… Now I don’t know about any one else, but I really don’t think that is going to go anywhere!! They can keep it for all the trouble it’s going to cause… My Humana premium is going up, meds are going up! Heck everything is going up, just because of a $2-$3 dollar raise and I can’t afford that as I know others can’t either!!!
But yet they continue to give to the illegals all day long!!!
The cost of food should be included in COLA.
The “good old boys” in Congress will always take care of themselves first.
The average SS income for 2016 is $1,180 and the average SSDI income is $1,166 per month for some 165 million people.
According to my calculations, SS increase will be $ 35.00 and SSDI increase will be $34.98 per month.
Probably be able to purchase one sack of groceries for a week and not enough to buy a tank of gas. This is our hard earned money paid into a retirement fund for us when we retire from active employment Yet, we are 20 Trillion dollars in debt and increasing because of a spend thrift government. I think we old folks have been hoodwinked by greedy politicians that don’t live by the same rules as we and there is nothing we can do about it but VOTE.
you better recheck your figures. We are getting about $3.50 more a month, not $35.
.03 % is three cents for every dollar you now get, so most of the people will get a $3.00 raise.
.003% I meant to put down.
is it calculated on gross monthly payment before medicare is taken out?
This is the first year in a long time we didn’t get a COLA increase.
don’t know if it’s true just heard on news it will be about $4 a month more which is ridiculous if it is.
Pay Congress according to what they do and for attendence like we were paid.
It would help the situation.
.3% isn’t even touching hoe much the cost of living is. They need to redo the math. Go to the grocery stores, Live on what we are living on for a month, plus pay their bills
If the cost of living is so low as to give us only a .3% increase, then why did OASDI go up 7.34% in 2017? The numbers don’t add up!
The politicians are doing it so we will feel good and vote for them. Don’t forget Oboma used almost a trillion dollars from Medicare to start Oboma care. Thus a raise in cost to make up for the short fall. Smoke and mirrors and the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing
Paul Ryan thinks $5 a month is too big a raise. Whadda you think is fair?
Personally, I expect that perhaps Republicans in office should be forced to live on SS alone for 3 months – no cheating. You think those rich so and sos know what $5 even is? In their reality, when would they spend as little as $5? They just throw down a government credit card that my taxes pay for.
They do not hesitate to spend millions in fruitless investigations. They should be ashamed of themselves , specially the proclaimed religious sect.
why just the republicans all politicians. Especially the crooks.
Very well stated
agreed, and then they cry they cant live on all that salary,,b.s.
Well Said. The middle class is going broke .. We need help. People are losing their homes and jobs.
Because the so called political leaders are very much corrupt and also very selfish and greedy!!!
The government is raising the Social Security a tiny bit to allow the medicare rates to go up across the board. The law for us old folks indicate that the medicare rate cannot go up as long as there is no increase increase in our social security. I’m sure this $4.00 average per month will be chewed up and more, watch your Jan. 2018 check it maybe smaller then Dec. 2016.
Whoopie do! 0.3 percent that only amounts to 2 to 5 dollars for most people! Plus if the Medicare premiums go up everyone will be in the hole! Selfish government!!
well put!
its only about a five dollar raise, I think this abominable considering Obama has never gave us a raise. he is giving 17,00 dollars a monthe to refugees and give his mother in law 165,000 dollars for baby sitting and having great big parties at the white house. but he can’t afford any more than 0.3 for the elderly.
0.3 % increase averages out to about $4.00 more a month our checks. What a bunch of bull. WOW!
this will really help keeping us out of being homeless.
Mc premiums are going up, I heard $27. a mth. Big raise. Lol.
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
But when you out live your retirement savings and you are too old to work, SS isn’t enough to live on. Mc ins higher plus deductibles go up. Pres. bush at least gave 5% raise when he left office.
Not poverty it’s more like Destitute for us😌👻
A good raise is what we deserve but are not going to get ,we are getting a 0.02% that for me will only be 2.00 dollars and this sucks, i was on social security facebook the other day and this woman was asking she had been deported back to her country and she was wanting to know if she would still get her social security check
Many years? If I remember correctly, 2016 was the first year there was no COLA increase since automatic increases based on inflation began in 1975.
Having said that, a whopping 3/10 percent isn’t anything to write home about either. In my case, it means $5.18 a month. I guess it’s better than what we got last year…or a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. I guess it’ll mean that I can get a venti latte from Starbucks each month, it certainly won’t make a bit of difference in my being able to afford the 4 of my 11 prescription medications that when I reach the Medicare Coverage Gap (donut hole) that each month, cost almost as much as my monthly benefit. This is WITH a Medicare Advantage Plan & taking into account that my monthly benefit is $120 over Medicare’s cutoff for Extra Help in paying for your prescription medications.
The bottom line is the whole system is broken beyond repair. The “Affordable” Care Act ( Obamacare) is a joke. Sure, more people have health insurance now as a result…only because the IRS hits us with a tax penalty if we don’t have insurance. This makes PERFECT sense to me: penalize people who can’t afford health insurance in the form of tax penalties that just add up & never go away.
Bottom line is the Federal Government needs to get out of the insurance & healthcare business. Social Security needs to be privatized & administered by non-politicians. Healthcare needs to be deregulated to create competition & drive costs down. It worked pretty well for the phone companies. Why not healthcare? The way I see it, our country has been run by career politicians for the last 240 years. Where has that gotten us? I think having leadership by a non-career politician is EXACTLY what this country needs. The politicians sure haven’t done much of a bang-up job…we certainly couldn’t be much worse off than we are now.
still no increase…our checks will go down because our medicare will go up
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
bet you guys are real glad you started this blog… So many happy people
I can’t believe they offer us a mere 0.3% raise. What is that??? 25 cents a month.
The shift of human beings income should shift. Make the politicians live off of what we do and they would quickly realize how it feels to wonder if you can afford a loaf of bread $1.79 a loaf or a blood thinner pill that costs $5.00 a pill. Eat or die of a blood clot? Thank you Congress.
Well get a clue and remember we have had a republican majority for the pass 6yrs. Stop voting against ur interest or stop conplaining
that explains it you are a Helleryite. Probably on her payroll. getting richer by taking money from countries that want to kill us AMERICANS. As far as your comments about all being immigrants and haters. You are right but we did it legally. didn;t just sneak over the border and say here I am now PAY ME. You want to be an american do it the right way like our for fathers did. oh and the hatting part its directed at self righteous people like you that want to give away the money that i paid into SS.
people that never worked a day here in the USA get more
So very true.
But what does that 0.3% come out to monthly? Like a buck and change per month?
My husband died in 1996. He was 66 yrs old. I was 41. I could not get ANY widows benefits, survival benefits….nothing until I am 62! I just don’t understand this.Why?
I have barely hung on to my house these last 20 yrs. I am 60 now. I became disabled in 2008 but still barely get enough to live on. Plus, I have to come up with over $2,000.00 more for my property taxes. I had to beg for help paying this last year, which was “a one time thing”. I don’t know how I am going to hang on much longer. When we do get a “raise” it goes right to our medicare premiums! If we get it one place they take it away someplace else.
The politicians ( our SERVANTS) are getting rich while we sink lower and lower into poverty! We need help fast!
Hi Lisa Marie, a widow of a person who worked long enough under Social Security can be eligible for benefits at age 60 (age 50 if disabled). To find out if you qualify for benefits now, you can call our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Agreed! 1156 per month is hard to live on and pay for medical!
I have played my 12$ stop asking for more
.03% is nothing but an insult to all seniors living on SS and SS disability.. How dare they insult our intelligence with such a deplorable amt. We are living at the poverty level as it is. Let them live on SS for 1 month and see if they can manage. Its nothing but a lot of bull
With the inflation rate of 1.5% the COLA is actually like a 1.2% cut in benefits. Great.
Something is bad wrong with this picture. WE elect the government offices to work for US. WE pay their salary to help and benefit US. They work for US but they tell US what WE can and can’t do. They give themselves huge raises and take it out of OUR checks. Such a bad picture. The only way to fix it is to put them on the same plan we are on.
The system has to change!!! Know one can survive on a SS ck. I’ve taken care of both my parents since they retired, now that my father passed, my mother who doesn’t drive, still resides with me. I’m not complaining, just telling my side of the story…. it’s a slap in the face with the latest COLA .3%!?!?!?!? Sad sad sad
I agree. The fact that we are getting a ” raise” is ludicrous. The amount we will get won’t even cover the amount that Medicare is raising. Soo, seems like all politicians no matter what party don’t give a hoot and a holler for people that actually worked for years paid into the system with hopes of being able to at least afford housing and food in their “Golden Years”
.03 Still leaves me right over the poverty level after 45 years of work, which means any kind of medicare help i get is gone and man somebody needs to kill me
NOW
I agree I struggle every month off my disability check without the cola raise
Amen!
For sure unless we can give those Congressbums a payoff of some kind we are doomed and so is SS.
As if your o.k. with such a miserable increase.my disability income is based on my past work background.i receive 900 mnth and with my blindness comes many obstacles of which arnt pertinent but my one point being do you really think .3 is an adaquit amount givin my obvious limits and family of three…my wife of 25yrs is challenged and i support her and our 18yr old daughter…all on 900 only…no help accept mainecare.medicare. what a joke the raise is…we still go hungry…
living in poverty, hell we are poor, living on social security disability you don’t get enough money to pay all your bills and the money you do get you will be broke by the end the month , you will end up borrow money from everybody and then on the 1 or the 3, you paying your bills and the money you borrow. So we are poor and living in poverty.
The cola is never as much as the medicare part B increase is. Those who get the smallest social security fall futher behind with each cola.
Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects approximately 70 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. In addition, beneficiaries who have their Medicare Part B premiums paid by state medical assistance programs will see no change in their Social Security benefit. The state will be required to pay any Medicare Part B premium increase.
Either the hold harmless provision is a load of BS or the SSA has been cheating my mother for years. Her check has been reduced EVERY YEAR due to medicare premium increases!!!!
I think the gov should get paid once a month..
You do understand that 0.3 percent means that if you get, let’s say, 1288 a month in SS, that your raise will be 1288 x .003 = $4. Why do you think that a $4 raise in your SS check is worth even getting? It’s disgusting. They’re also raising the amount of money you’ll pay for Part B, so if you are in Part B, and they have been taking $105/month from your SS check, and they raise that to $109/month, then that $4 raise you just got doesn’t even cover it. You’re actually losing $1/month. Now if that makes sense to anyone………….
Hi, Martha. Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects approximately 70 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. In addition, beneficiaries who have their Medicare Part B premiums paid by state medical assistance programs will see no change in their Social Security benefit. The state will be required to pay any Medicare Part B premium increase. Information about Medicare changes for 2017, is available at http://www.medicare.gov.
.Someone tell me why a billionaire who is 70 years of age and receiving Social Security they’re the ones who are getting the big increase in taking the money away from us why are people not talking about that
You took the words right out of my mouth ! !
We have. Not had a raise in 7 years and all we are going to get is 4 dollars a month, our food has doubled power bills too on top of medical costs
i now get 10 dollars less because of the so called raise they raised the cost of medicare
I hope it’s not just Social Security SSI, but also SSDI, that gets a raise next year. I haven’t got a raise in soo long.
Hi Anne. The 0.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will apply to –both- Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2017.
Big deal. They will then take the SS increase out of Medicare. That’s only $3 per 1,000. : (
What this article fails to mention is that Medicare premiums are increasing for 2017, from $104 to $109. For many of us, that increase is greater than the three tenths of one percent COLA , so our checks will actually be smaller.
By the way, I can’t imagine what is in that formula for the CPI-W; it’s obviously not devised with any real-life living expenses in mind of someone surviving on Social Security. In those years when we had no SSDI increase our prices shot up at the supermarket for basics like bread, milk, meat, chicken, fish, cereal and fresh vegetables. My rent was increased each year that according to the COLA there was no increase in living costs. I could go on, everthing went up year after year *except* gasoline, which markedly dropped. And the price of gas should not be even considered in the SSDI COLA because those of us living solely on Social Security can’t afford to drive other than to a grocery store and doctors’ offices anyway. So gas is a false indicator of living costs for retired seniors, at least those of us with no other source of income. It’s all very discouraging as it gets harder and harder to make ends meet by the end of each month, and yet we’re told that the cost of living has gone down.
2017 is going to be brutal.
About time!?? Really. No, it’s many years past time for getting rid of these greedy ‘deciders’ that take money from “our” paychecks and the hoard it for themselves to dole out at ‘their’ discretion. I’m sorry but ‘about time’ doesn’t cut it one little bit. What it is is shameful and criminal.
Go to Social Security Web Site – My spouses Social Security increased by exactly the same increase in her Medicare Premium. In other words, no pay raise at all …
I only received $4 increase……
Is this a joke?! A lousy 0.3%!!!!
you got that right, words
you got the words right out of my mouth Stacieee
Read this carefully; it says 3 tenths of one percent of your check. For me, this means a $3 increase per month. I don’t think that extra $3 truly addresses the increases in food costs and rent.
Of course not. This “increase” is absolute BS. Do they really think I need an extra 6 CENTS a day? People a thousand years ago got bigger raises.
I sure hope that the government can support this Social Security increase of 0.3% for us. I would hate for the government to go broke! This is really a bad joke!
Maybe if the government would stop trying to be big brother then we might be able to have a bigger increase in Social Security in 2018!
i agree. how much money does the government waste every day
Stacieee, unfortunately you won’t see a penny on your check. A .03% increase after being rounded to the nearest dollar won’t give you a penny! When Trump said ‘drain the swamp’ he was correct, but it won’t happen. It’s up to us to march on Washington and actually drag every single one of these scumbags out! There’s NO RAISE AGAIN!
You really get no pay raise because they raised the amount of the Medicare so when all is said and done you will make the exact same as you did last year with no pay raise at all actually. I got my notice in the mail today and it states exactly that lol .
The greed of those who supposedly represent us is STAGGERING! PATHETIC!! AND EXTREMELY SELFCENTERED!!!!!
Don’t get your hopes up. We just received a statement saying we had a .3% increase, but we will be making less by close to 5.00 a month. Absolute jerks.
Happy with your raise now?
You think THAT is a raise? Are you crazy? Somehow I didn’t even get the measly $5 increase! My “new” payment is exactly the same!
I’m calling a foul on this BS!!
And what is worse, those in congress or senate will still receive their same pay after retirement. That is bull …., they should not get anything, except social security as all others do.
CONGRESS SHOULD REPAY THE 2.6 TRILLION DOLLARS THAT THEY TOOK OUT OF SS TO FUND OTHER THINGS, WE GET SCREWED AND DO NOT EVEN GET KISSED. THE RICH GET RICHER AND WE GET POORER. WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.
Hi Thomas. Social Security taxes collected from today’s workers pay the benefits of today’s retirees. Any funds in excess of what is needed to pay today’s benefits are invested in special issue, U.S. Government, interest-bearing securities. This investment – the purchase of U.S. Government securities – is what constitutes the “borrowing” that people are sometimes concerned about. Any funds that have been “borrowed” from the Social Security Trust Funds have always been paid back in full, plus interest. Please check out our Trust Fund Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
its a rip off i just got my new benifit in the mail for 2017 they raised the amount on the price we pay for medicare , so my check equals out to the excact same as last year the goverment is giving the seniors the shaft, while congress annd senate is giving them selves raises
with what is being take out I will be making 3.70 less than what I am getting now.
I received a Statement for 2017 benefits. I’m on SSDI, and I see no difference from last year. Even Medicare stayed the same. So, what happened? Instead of waiting for 50 minutes on the phone, I thought I’d try this venue.
They took out for Medicare, so your “increase” goes right back to the government. Yes, YOUR cost of living increase which is really just pennies a day can’t be used for increasing prices, even though I doubt you’d really need an extra $3.00 a month for your bills.
0.3% that is just a slap in the face! If my math is correct that’s about $3 for every $1,000 in benefits. Since I don’t receive anywhere near $1,000 a month I could care less about this “increase”. SMH! Now, if they’d give us the same sort of raises they gave themselves… then I’d be excited. 😡😢😕
It is a slap in the face. I’m now pulling in an extra 6 pennies a day. I’m going to use some of that to pay for my new financial consultant because I’m going to need help with this windfall. I don’t want to be another lottery winner who’s gone broke.
This is true.they don’t think about how are rent goes up.and our oppd bill.and our insurance not to mention are medicines.and food this is rotten not to get a raise.how can we pay bills or ever do anything.
Last time I got a $14 increase in my Social Security and they took almost $ 200 in food stamps and took away my dental. This year I got a whole $3 increase I wonder how much they’ll take away in another benefits? I would rather they kept the $3.
You call a 0.3% increase an increase? Would not buy a container of milk. What a joke.
12/14/2016 – I just spoke with Social Security after being on hold for 50 minutes and the increase is .03%. Less than 1%. So don’t let the news feed you a 3% increase. It is not!
The COLA gave us $4.00 and the Food Stamp arm of the government octopus took back $2.00 whoop de Doooooo!
We did not get an increase in our net because the Medicare insurance payment increased. My net did not change at all.
This past year, several politicians from the area I live in attempted to live for a short period of time on “minimum wage”. They had to do without personal vehicles and use public transit, buy their groceries from a typical small budget, etc. None of them lasted more than a few days. And I believe they had wanted to try this experiment for a whole month. I post this because those on SSA/SSI often have less to live on than minimum wage workers. So keep posting about this. Our government needs to wake up.
Can you live on $572.00 month? Come on help us poverty Medicare ppl
I am trying to figure out why if I got a 3% increase and so did my mom, why is the deposited monthly amount after medicare deduction going to be the same amount in 2017 as it was in 2016
Hi Glen. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. To read more about the COLA, tax, benefit and earning amounts for 2017, click here.
Exactly. Only 0.3%?? Mine went up $4. How many more seniors will fall below the poverty line?
My $215.00 shows no increase because of Medicare increases.
Old. $215
New. $215
Sucks huh?
Politicians and the government in general ignore the needs of retirees in this nation. It is ironic that the USA is the richest nation in the world when there is so much poverty among our population. Especially among the retired people 🙁
The citizens six first major powers of the world retire and can enjoy their life with the exception of the Americans 🙁
I got my notice today about the 3% increase and how it’ll affect me: I will get no increase at all – not even a single rotten dollar because the amount deducted from it for Medicare was raised. My monthly check will be exactly the same that it’s been for the past five or so years since I retired. I was so looking forward to a few extra dollars. The cost of everything – milk, bread, tissue paper, etc., keeps rising. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it because of the way they package things to hide it, but we’re paying a lot more for less. And my utilities (PG&E and water/sewer) have gone way up. I don’t even have a smart phone because I’m afraid I won’t be able to afford the monthly payments. This is very upsetting. Now I know what it feels like when senior citizens would complain. I used to feel so bad for them.
Big difference between 3% and .03%. The increase is not 3%.
I get a 0.3 precent increase in 2017, then they take that amount out for my medicare, so I still get the same amount that I was getting last year, tell me how that helps me. My food cost more every time I go to the store, but I still have the same amount of money to pay for it as I did this year. I don’t understand.
Have you seen how much the increase will be? .3% wish leaves us with the same amount as the past several years! Why did they even bother
I Agree and Add,At Taxpayers Expense. Yes we’re to get a 2017 SS Cola Of a Measley,0.3%. In my case,for No Apparent Reason,My Medicare Part B Premium is Increasing for 2017 and Guess What? Those Self-Serving Politicians Raised my Medicare Part B Premium to Eat Up My Entire SS Cola. I didn’t hear anything About this Medicare Increase anywhere,it was a Big Secret!
What are they eating up, your extra $5 a month COLA?
I am already living in poverty
And then you get the statement that shows how much more you will receive and you find out that the cola raise just covered the increase in medicare part b and the bottom line amount that you will receive is exactly what you have been receiving. Members of congress can vote themselves raises at any time and have. They also have the best medical plan in America. Considering how little was done by the congress in the last 8 years, they need to pay us their increases because they did not work.
Oh, thanks SS for such a wonderful increase. Gee, my monthly check is no higher, and ALL of my monthly expenses have greatly increased. Wow, you sure do look after us!
I got $3/no increase. Whoopee, can’t even buy a package of bacon. How much did Obama and the representatives in Congress get? Just wondering?!
About time? If someone gets $1355 a month, their COLA is $5 a month, $1.25 a week, or a whopping $65 a year. If you’re like me and get just $650 a month, I now pull in an extra $1.96 a month or $23.63 a year OR SIX CENTS A DAY! That’s like getting less than a penny an hour raise! Sweatshop workers in China get more than that. I need to find me a financial consultant to help me with this windfall. I’m just gonna kick back and start counting my pennies. Why even bother? What the heck are 6 pennies a day going to do for me? My rent doesn’t increase from $900 a month to $901.96. It goes from $900 to $925 or $950. In a whole year, I’ll earn enough to pay an extra $25 in rent. Does the government really believe that a .03% increase will cover rising costs? $25 a year increase!
They should give us more cuz we can not live on our own even if we wanted to…u can only go to McDonald’s to get one burger and thats it….just wish we would get more but they wanna live better than us
I am at loss what to do, got my Jan. 2017 payment and the COLA was not reflected in the amount received. I am contacting Federal Benefits, here in Jerusalem, to see what happened and how it can be corrected. My bank is useless can’t verify anything.
Hi Fahmi, please contact your local U.S. embassy for any assistance or other specific questions in regards to your Social Security benefits.
I couldn’t believe I only received a $2.00 rise. What happen to the $23.00 rise I use to get every year. Last year I received nothing. I should get more money I have Lupus.
What raise, check your disability money for January it is the same as last years.
No increase here. Mine went down $6.80 a month. Medicare and prescription is the same. So why?
Ya the Obama admin.have hurt the people who help build this country
So my husband gets about 1500 in his monthly check, which means you will endow him with the princely sum of $4.50 more a month. Thanks a lot. It took more than that for whoever got paid to click “post” on this article.
AND don’t forget the increase in Medicare! That will probably take care of their generous raise plus take more of your monthly income. Nice. smh
Yes, not counting the deductible and the doctors raising their fees.
my insurance went up $20.00 and I now have to pay co pays.Insurance companies are a rip off…this is the results of corporate america
YEAH,105.00 is taken from my measley ck each month. II get a “rip snorting” 880.00 a mo. now 🙁 Yet the refugees get housing,medical,food stamps,etc. with OUR TAX DOLLARS!
You are ignorant willfully so
I’ve been there living in AZ for 30 yrs and no, they don’t. They all work and live three families in a 2 bedroom apartment in the absolute worst parts of town. Can’t get welfare without papers, ask for papers, lose your kids and get deported.
Should b deported if no papers,
Don’t listen to these non- Christian people ,u should get just as much as anyone else ..JESUS said I was hungry u didn’t feed me naked u didn’t clthe me, everyone in this country are immigrants and less you are American Indian so don’t listen to these haters
So true!!
We have to start protesting in the streets!
LEGAL IMMIGRANTS DEAR!!
Do not forget that a lot of these illegals are getting social security,I believe the people on ss should start a protest march on washington about this and about congress getting another raise
Yes like u you are an immigrant and so is your family so how about we take away your children and send you back to wherever you came from.
That comment was for all the haters that think they are true american
Yeah and they dont even get drug tested for the assistance they get. yet if you go to work the first thing they do is give you a cup and say pee. It is really hard getting a job when you are older too…I hate this
Well at least you getting food stamps, because , what I get not enough to buy eggs , milk, and bread, I buy my food with my social security disability income, because you can’t hardly do anything with $15.00 dollars in food stamps. So I’m just saying count your blessings If you get more than $15.00 dollars in stamps.it’s a shame people who worked all there life paid into social security in to the system was hoping to live a good life without worrying about paying they bills if they become disable.
Linda, I do not begrudge anyone who needs help getting it. America is still the richest country on earth. Be angry at the politicians who are enriching the big corporations at the expense of us citizens. Please don’t be angry about America being generous to those in need. It is not their fault that your Social Security check is small — although I do fully understand the wanting to have someone to blame and direct our frustration at.
I get around that much under what you get a month and that is really sad 🙁
this is totally wrong…. send the refugees back to where they came from
Good post, Linda. Thanks. I get a “rip-snorting” $589/mo in my Disability check. That will pay rent exactly NOWHERE in America. I am divorced, disabled, and have a child to care for. The measly $2/month “cost of living raise” I got on my Disability check (are you kidding me?!) 😤
was immediately answered by a deduction of $2 /month from my food stamps! Does the government of our country WANT more senior citizens and disabled out on the streets?
Not just that but Medicare /the government won’t allow us to us “free medication offers”.from drug companies! Recently found this out during a wait period trying to get a med covered. Thus is very frustrating..
I am NOT eligible for supplemental medicaid in Michigan because I get $56. Per month over the eligibility guidlines. So, I am eligible for spend down or deductible medicaid…AFTER I pay $777.00 per MONTH medicaid will pay! This is rediculas. I’ve been told that I can NOT buy private insurance because I am eligible for medicare. I have cancer. I have dental issues. I have medications not covered by medicare so I must pay out of pocket!
NO I do not receive food stamps! That $777.00 monthly is a bit rediculas! Why not just the $56. Per month that I am over?
I live alone. Thinking it would be.easier to live.in a nursing home where they will make sure I get food shelter and clean clothes and the medical care I need! Seems like Michigan wouldn’t want to foot that bill but they will be pushing me right into one!
Congress needs term limits &pay needs to END when term is up!
Try living like this!
I hear you, DC. I live in Florida, where the Governor turned down an optional bill to states that would have covered many more low-income people under Medicaid. I know many people low-income who cannot afford to pay for medical insurance under the new federal mandate, but would get Medicaid if Florida had approved the federal offering of extra Medicaid. So many decent, hard-working people are screwed. This system is a hot mess. I feel for you, and things have gotta change.
Yes, it did. See my comment above.
You got that right. I will only get $6.00 I’m going to have to go back to work.
And they always round down, not up, so you won’t get that 50 cents either. One more scam to screw the vulnerable.
yea they do round down.
Try 45.00 Still not great.
it’s not 3% !!! it’s .3%. Multiply what you get by .003. that will be your increase.
$45.00 you will gt xtra
That’s probably 4.50 not 45 dollars unless you get thousands in Social Security!
I think the government needs to take pay cuts instead of getting raises every year or twice a year and let our seniors get increases in social security instead of a slap in the face
I think we old people need to lobby for this!
so true same here, that’s why I am voting Donald trump he will take care of the elderly. he is the only one that says he will not touch social security and he is on the elderlys side.
WRONG!!!!!
Gail Aggen, I hate to burst your $4.50 bubble, but you’re mistaken. For your husband to get $4.50 he’d have had to get a .3% raise. They are giving a .03% raise. That means his pay will go up 45 cents. After they round it off to the nearest dollar, HE WON’T GET A PENNY MORE IN TAKE HOME PAY! THERE IS NO RAISE! It was just a way to say, “We’re giving you a raise”. But in actuality, THEY’RE NOT GIVING US ANYTHING!!!
No, he won’t see an increase at all because the cost of Medicare will go up. My check has been $1,695 every year since I retired five years ago. I just got my notice about the 3% increase. My check next year will be, guess what? $1,695. It’s almost like it’s a joke on senior citizens. 🙁
Will the damn politicians ever get their heads on straight and look at the MAGNIFICANT !! increase of 0.3 % they’re giving us for 2017?
What a bunch of damn idiots !! What a blot on us Social Security recipients !!
Some increase, medicare is going to take it like they do every time we get and even when we DON’T get increases
an ignorant statement since congress does not compute the ss raises.
An 0.3 percent increase is NOT equivalent to the increase in the living expenses of citizens . Not by any means !
I agree.
Nicely put..
And most of our incomes from Social Security not half of the poverty level posted. Yet Congress cant make it on 174,000 a year? Poor things, gonna give themselves another raise.
🙄😤😤😤😤
Lets all put these commits to use send to AARP and let them send to all so call leaders. They are suppost to be for us
Aarp doesn’t do anything. Not giving them even a penny!
AARP ! are you kidding all they are interested in is selling seniors insurance… nothing more!
No way would I ever have anything to do with AARP! It’s nothing but a racket. I finally got it to stop sending letters asking me to join so they could make money off of me. It like a union – you know who makes the money, right?!
The measly increase of .3% seems out of sorts with the increase in the amount of earnings for which social security costs will be imposed. So, you collect more money for social security and you give measly increases. Why is that? How is the measly increase in social security benefits makes this process equitable.
It’s .03% cola. Makes a little difference,even smaller than u thought. Has anybody noticed Groceries or Medications costing Less ?
they should have to live on ss themselves for a while and use medicare instead of their special health insurance that they gave themselves
Yes sir that’s it. See if they can live on what we make. My ex made in social security a $100 over what he can get in medicaid. For $100 too much he can not get medicaid.
This is what happened to me! Seriously, I am bringing in $797 in SSDI, and less than $200 from a serious accident; this fund is less then what many make in a year!
What I want these politicians to fully recognize is that MOST of us who are incapable of working do NOT want to be sitting around with these disabling conditions, in such FEAR of our circumstances, for which we have no control! I under 55, and lost everything! Now, I must face how to survive daily!! And, for our beloved senior citizens who are left in turmoil, my heart is with all of you! Shame on this country; the status quo remains the same!
Yes, I know what you mean. Medical is so high I cant have treatments because I cant meet the deductible. And the extra medical plans are so pricey we cant afford them either.
Yes, and now we have a President-elect and a Republican controlled House and Senate chomping at the bit to fulfill their promises of cutting back on Social Security and turning Medicare into a voucher program where we will have to shop around to find an insurance company willing to pay for our medical care — no doubt at astronomical prices.
Senior citizens living on Social Security punched themselves — and the rest of us — in the face by voting for the Republicans in this last election. 🙁
Please don’t talk about Trump not caring about senior citizens, cutting back, etc. What has Obama done for you? Nothing! He sure hasn’t for me anyway. My social security has remained the same while the cost of everything has gone up. Trump on Social Security: “I will work with Congress to ensure we have a pro-growth agenda in place. If we are able to sustain growth rates in GDP that we had as a result of the Kennedy and Reagan tax reforms, we will be able to secure Social Security for the future. As our demography changes, a prudent administration would begin to examine what changes might be necessary for future generations. Our goal is to keep the promises made to Americans through our Social Security program.”
Hillary on Social Security: “I’m against any cut in Social Security benefits. But rather than expand benefits for everyone, I do want to take care of low-income seniors who worked at low-wage jobs. I want to start by helping those people who are most at risk.” And she wanted to increase Social Security benefits for widows. She told AARP that the poverty rate for widowed women 65 or older is nearly 90% higher than for other seniors. One reason, she noted: When a spouse dies, “families can face a steep benefit cut.” For a two-earner couple, the cuts can be as much as 50%. She also said she opposed reducing annual cost-of-living adjustments. Instead, she preferred INCREASING them.
***
It is COLA which is hurting me. As I said, my check has remained exactly the same (to the dollar) since I retired five years ago. It’s a scary way to live.
wao thank you that is awesome
They could increase all the Social Security benefits 1000 percent and it still would not fix any of the root problems. There needs to be a complete reform of “Rules” which the socialist security system uses because some of these rules are discriminatory.
I am 45 years old, a mother of three older children and physically disabled ( I was born with cerebral palsy ). I’ve never collected one red cent of money from the Socialist Security System, even though I have applied several times and they find me disabled.
Technically, I am an “adult disabled child” (please look this up, it is NOT SSI or SSDI) but have never been able to secure any benefits whatsoever from the Socialist Security system, even under that program because I got married to an “Able bodied person”. The Socialist Security system is too busy paying benefits to some people who scam the system and worrying about adult disabled children (who they pay benefits to off of a parents record) marrying an able bodied person. This gives them the justification to cut off benefits to the adult disabled child because the husband (in theory) can now support the disabled person. This theory works great, if your husband is rich and you have no need for money but what it actually does, is to force two adults (one disabled one able bodied person) to live off of one income. In the real world, the socialist security system is forcing adult disabled children to only marry other disabled persons (and NO able bodied persons) at the threat of loosing any and all benefits that they are entitled to.
If you are a physically disabled person (an adult disabled child) and you happen to marry an “able bodied person” you will be loosing out on a lifetime of benefits, all because of a one word “rule” that prohibits you from marrying an “able bodied person”. Best of all, they never tell you about their “Rule” so that they can justify cutting off any benefits that you may be due.
Because you are physically disabled (adult disabled child) and you choose not to marry another adult disabled child or disabled person drawing off socialist security, you WILL LOOSE ANY AND ALL BENEFITS FOR LIFE. This means that the SOCIALIST SECURITY system is TELLING YOU WHO YOU ARE ALLOWED TO MARRY and who you are
NOT ALLOWED TO MARRY! It is a discriminatory act “rule” and should be ILLEGAL!
Even though I am permanently and totally disabled, if I marry an “able bodied person”, somehow that marriage makes everything ok and I am no longer considered disabled (in the eyes of the socialist security system). Magically (because I married an able bodied person), the pixie fairies come down and cure my disability, because now I can just go out and find gainful employment, no one will discriminate against my physical disability and everything will be grand, right? Somehow magically, marrying an able bodied person makes my physical disablility dissappear and now I am cured, right? WRONG!
The issue is a special “Rule” that the Socialist Security System uses to discriminate against “certain” people. If you are a “physically disabled person” (AKA-certain people) and happen to marry an able bodied person, then the SOCIALIST SECURITY system will use special “Rules” to legally discriminate against you and deny you benefits, even if you appeal online.
The SOCIALIST SECURITY system has caused me a lot of economic hardship all because I married an able bodied person. The SOCIALIST SECURITY system thinks someone who is physically disabled (permanently and totally disabled) marries an “able bodied person”, that somehow magically they are cured of their physical disability and two people can survive off the able bodied persons income. WOW, talk about a bunch of bureaucratic idiotic thinking, that somehow this would not cause a financial hardship….. amazing.
The rules that the Social Security Administration uses to legally discriminate against persons who are “Adult Disabled Children” who happen to marry an able bodied person, are discriminatory. This is loosely referred to as the “marriage penalty” but I call it exactly what it is, a legal form of discrimination.
I firmly believe this rule, is an act of bias, prejudice and discrimination against people who (by no fault of their own) are born disabled and happen to marry an able bodied person
Please write your Congressional Representative and tell them to end this modern day form of Legal Discrimination. In this day of fairness and equality, there are still some people suffering from an outdated and oppressive bureaucratic rule.
(PS. notice how the only thing any of these SOCIALIST SECURITY workers ever say are quotes of the rules or processes, like a worker drone. They are unable to address any topics that fall outside of their rule books). Typical bureaucracy and bureaucratic responses, like trying to argue over lost change with a vending machine!
I do feel for you and your condition (same health issues here but my comments about that here will not help) but have you tried any local government services such as contacting your local rep for help? I don’t know which state your in but the rep closer to home may be more sympathetic. I doubt that anyone reading these posts have the power to help which makes it a waste of time.
I mean no disrespect, but if you were born with cerebral palsy, and are permanently and totally disabled, how did you go through three pregnancies and the demands of raising three children?
of course you meant disrespect
No D – I think I meant disgust. Obviously this lady never checked any price indices for the cost of raising a child from birth to majority age. I assume she has never worked and not paid one cent into SS . Why would you have 3 children to support knowing there is going to be only your husband’s income to support the family. I worked 59 years for my SS. She obviously can type and has some computer skills. There is a person in a wheel chair selling tickets in one of our local theaters who appears to have cerebral palsy.
This is more about pushing for a rule change, rather than about me. I have had odd jobs here and there, but nothing one could consider a career. Thanks again Karen for perpetuating the stigma that if someone is physically disabled, their mind should be as well.
This is why elderly people do not remarry. Some even divorce each other and live together. It’s awful for disabled people.
absolutely true carole! Its a ridiculous rule that needs to be eliminated forever.
Here we go again. You post this exact same nonsensical rant on nearly every one of these blogs, no matter what the topic may be. Your issue has nothing to do with the cost of living raise for Social Security recipients. Additionally, your gripe isn’t even a valid one. If you had ever bothered to read the rules or any information at all on this website you would know that you do not qualify for SSI as an “adult disabled child” when you get married precisely because when you married you’re NOT single anymore and all alone in the world,helpless, as many disabled adults would be. Where do you get the idea that the government – or anyone else, for that matter, guarantees that every family will have two incomes??? Lady, there are thousands of families struggling on one income and you’re posting these insane rants that make absolutely no sense and have no basis in reality because you think the government owes you and your husband a double income??? Boy, between you and the rest of these morons here who don’t know how to calculate fractions or decimals (it’s NOT.03 for every $1000, it’s for every 100! Where did you idiots go to school??? And .03 IS how you write THREE PERCENT in decimal form.
I agree that the cost of living has gone up in a major way,but your complaints are all completely off the mark because all of your information is WRONG, and that’s because none of you can be bothered to seek out the FACTS for yourselves!!! You are right here on the website, for crying out loud! EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about Social Security, the real truth from the original source, is RIGHT HERE!!! Until you know what you’re talking about, nothing is going to change, because your complaints are invalid. But hey, maybe it just makes some people feel better to blame somebody else. It’s the American way.
Hello again Marc, actually I do not need any income from the Government. From the way that I see them running things, it wont be long until the system is totally bankrupt. I know exactly what I am talking about and that is an outdated “Rule” that I feel is discriminatory. It has nothing to do with any money, I just think it is wrong to impose a rule that limits disabled people in their life choices. Disabled people have a hard enough time just living a normal life, why make it harder on them? I am not a moron obviously, I can put together a proper sentence and articulate my point ( a skill which I suggest you improve upon). My information is spot on when it comes to Social Security rules, I have been around this system long enough to know it from the inside out. Again, I am simply trying to spread the word about what I perceive as an outdated discriminatory rule that needs to be eliminated. Thank you for helping to spread the word and have a great day.
i only get 733 a month that goes in one day half on rent half on phone bill and screw foodstamps 20 dollars a month lol ill go eat at churches 3 times a day
I agree it is wrong! You still can’t work..it’s wrong! We pay our congress way to much..what about us!? I’m likely going to lose my home. Can’t pay the taxes. Can’t pay the repairs and they keep slapping special assessments on my home! I can’t afford rent either..insurance was canceled because I couldn’t afford repairs! I am seriously nursing home bound! Going to end up costing government way more than if they would have helped me live in my own home!
Wow. You’re so negative and angry, maybe some counseling would help.
Every little bit helps. Thanks SS!
good then you be satisfied with it when there is nothing left and no increase
0.3 is a joke! However, better something than nothing!
Negative. Medicare is getting the offset so we get ZERO!
Yes, they switched positions with us.We let them.They are there to manage us NOT represent us.Nothing will change unless we switch places with those who no longer follow the original Constitution.There are some good ones,but they have only one vote.
so when in 2017 do we get our cola pay?
January 1
The 0.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2017. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2016.
0.3 percent is a joke! However, something is better than nothing!!
0.3 increase is taking away for Medicare b.ckeck stays the same. that is Obama fr us
What a JOKE, send some more of our hard earned
money to every begging/blackmailing country in the world.
Our government is DISGUSTING, the laughing stock
of the world.
Remember the fall of the Roman Empire, quickly approaching in the USA.
pānis et circēnsēs (bread and circuses)
You got right, its on the way…
If you hate our “disgusting” government so much, why not go live in a country with a better one?
Check to see exactly how much you’ve paid in and how much you have already received.
In my more than 45 year of work, which SSA only uses the best 35 years to base my benefit, I have paid in a grand total (ever, this is in all 45 year) of $112,752.
So over those years, that is the amount that I have put into the system.
My monthly benefit is $2,349 per month or $28,188 per year, I started taking my retirement benefits when I was 66 years old.
I am now 72 and 3 months, I received back from SSA a total of $176,175 and paid $112,752 into the system….
SSA doesn’t decide on the COLA and I am fine with my amount because I have already received over $50,000 more than I have put into the system.
It may help a little, but since many of us lost our retirement savings and or homes, due to the shenanigans of the banks and Wall Street, it may be too little, too late! What would really help would be to fine all those crooks, take back the monies that were blatantly stolen from us, throw them in prison (not in white collar ones) and give us all a portion of it!
at least the thieves at WELLS FARGO looked you in the eyes when they stole your money. Not like the politicians that promise you a better life and give you butkus
Hello iam need 3 hundred more dollers more in 2017
Yes, at the least $300. We should get minimum wage anyway.
they should be giving us enough to make up for the years they did NOT give us an increase
you will get less than $60 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR
I agree it is wrong! You still can’t work..it’s wrong! We pay our congress way to much..what about us!? I’m likely going to lose my home. Can’t pay the taxes. Can’t pay the repairs and they keep slapping special assessments on my home! I can’t afford rent either..insurance was canceled because I couldn’t afford repairs! I am seriously nursing home bound! Going to end up costing government way more than if they would have helped me live in my own home!
JMR there was only 1 year in the.last several that we didn’t get the the increase and that was last year…guess they is how they weed out the baby boomers…
Me too, nicely put..
I have recently been trying to fix up my house to sell. Everything I purchase is twice as much as it was 3 yrs ago. I think the Cost of Living index is rigged.
Like everything else..
$3 per $1,000? Has anyone in the government actually gone into a store and purchased anything in the last 5 years? I think there needs to be some reform here!
Me too! Increases in medical alone
The politicians will never think of US…. as long as there are no consequences for THEM.
We need an AMENDMENT to make them use the Social Security System, no more allowing them to call their own shots. Their raises should be tied to their performance just
like any other employee.
.3 percent inc……Congress on both sides are corrupt…they ok hugh inc for themselves…but none for us or the Military……samefull……
Wow!!!! The less than $5.00 a month increase is being talked about…what about the INCREASE to Medicare premiums!!!!!
Not nearly enough. The inflation that Seniors face is much higher than the general inflation rate because their buying habits are vary different from the general population. Health care is the big one, but not the only one.
The fact that some politicians want to turn over the SS Fund to their privately owned entities in 2017 should be upsetting recipients who have paid into it all of their lives. These politicians view the SS Fund as something that should be “managed” by Wall Street with loss of money to Bonuses and owners of those Wall Street firms. Wall Street should be Taxed on every Transaction, say .05 per cent, since it is Income for the managers who don’t pay into Social Security. That rate would insure that those who did build this Nation with their Income Taxes and payments into their Social Security accounts will be cared for in their retirements.
Something is better than nothing; true. However, in California our politicians have decided that our state alone must save the planet so our gasoline costs have remained high. Food costs are only now coming down a bit after more than doubling. We women have always earned a lesser percentage than men so when is that income equity adjustment coming? Eliminate the cap on paying in. Why should the very rich be capped at what they must put in to the SSA system? They can also dictate how it’s deducted – a big bonus? Split it up to reduce taxes and SSA payments. Why isn’t that illegal? Gee, about $4 a month more, you say? That can ALMOST pay for a gallon of milk. I would LOVE to see the decision-maker on this adjustment live on $1282 a month.
Stacieee, Don’t get too excited. If you read the whole thing it also says that Medicare rates will be increasing, so no extra money for you.I sure wish some of our Federal law makers would have to live on what some of us live on; they might change their tune. Also I wonder how much of my money that I have paid in is really going to get in my pocket. Half is probably going to illegal immigrants- you know the ones. They have paid for illegal SS cards using your SS number. I personally know this because of my position in a previous company I worked for where some were presented. Told them they needed to go to SS Office. They came back in less than an hour and had used white correction fluid to change one of the numbers. PLEASE, HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK WE AMERICANS ARE. Our government keeps letting this happen because they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and just want to be politically correct. WHAT IS CORRECT OR TRUE ABOUT FALSIFYING RECORDS SO YOU CAN STEAL FROM OTHER FOLK. PLEASES SOMEONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE CORRECTNESS OF LYING, CHEATING, STEALING, AND OVERALL BEING A SCOUNDREL.
The saddest reality for me with seeing the same situation when I too was working. It is how it can cause people to be divisive, resentful, and hateful! Im not that person! Yet, there lies a truth in this matter, and when we are at those bottom percentiles, its often too much to deal with!
This would be laughable if it were not such a slap in the face to all social security recipients. No increase last year and .3% this year. Is that 3/10 th of one percent? Keep it or give it to congress, they seem to think they deserve a raise. This is despicable. We worked and were made to pay into this account so we could live after we were forced into retirement. With the increase (don’t know how much yet) in Medicare, I’ve got to decide what bills can be cut, what I can do without. I am sure there are plenty of people worse off than I.
As someone stated it is better than nothing. Look at the price of gasoline will it stay relatively low at around $2 per gallon NO, will prices continue to increase YES. So the 0.3 percent increase means maybe we will be able to afford 1/2 gallon of gasoline or maybe a small loaf of bread. The method used to figure increases is outdated and should be changed.
I agree
agreed
WHAT AN INSULT TO WE SENIORS as we’ve worked years in hope of ‘recouping’ our pay into Social Security!
When my husband died ALL I RECEIVED WAS $255.00 then told at retirement ‘CHOSE his Social Security or mine’ for benefits! SO ALL HIS DOLLARS PAID IN STAYED IN THE SYSTEM FOR GOVERNMENT TO SPEND ON OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN SOCIAL SECURITY!’
AND YOU ALL WONDER ‘WHY AMERICANS ARE ANGRY & FED UP!’
BECAUSE U DONT CARE ONCE YOU ARE ‘ELECTED!’
Kelly Getche
Ohio
Well said and on point…
It is a big joke. The cost of monthly expenses goes up lot lot more than 0.3%….. We elect politician and they screws us.
I would like to see SS benefits increases tied directly to any increases that the House of Representatives votes for themselves. If they get a nice fat increase, let SS rates increase at the SAME rate.
Im with you on this one, good idea..
WOW one third of one percent? you know we are all writing our comments and their is not one person in the government who cares about what we feel or think.. its a joke and a crying shame.
God cares, sees and knows; Im taking all my complaints to him.
The use of the Cost of Living Index for Social Security raises is so flawed it is unbelievable. A senior citizen’s cost of living has little to do with the cost of gasoline which lately has driven the index. Just look at the cost of the three things that affect senior citizens: medicine, insurance premiums, and food.
Can you tell me that a 0.3% increase in social security will compare to the % increase in those items. Gasoline, we drive very little except to the doctor’s office and the grocery store. While the government is giving away the treasury to illegal aliens and refugees, they should look first at the folks that paid into the system with their own money for a lifetime.
I agree with you 100% on this one I could of not said it better my self.
There should not be ANY cap on earnings subject to SS withholding. The “pain” to those earning well above $100,000 per year of continuing to contribute 6.2% of their earnings is so much less than the “pain” of seniors trying to live on the low fixed income that SS offers.
You are absolutely right! Many of the top earners only pay minimum income taxes due to corporate breaks and tax loopholes so at least make them pay into SS. Our sweat and sacrifices made them rich, it’s only right they give something back. And I don’t want to hear the excuse that as employers they paid toward our SS. I bet they’ve found a way to get that back too….
Give this so called RAISE back to the gov. they need it more than us HAHAHAHAHAHA !
With Food & other perishables being ‘left-out’ of the computation on inflation by our Fed Govt(see our el-presidente’ for party hook-up) it’s a wonder we were not asked to give some of our past raises back? To leave food out is nothing but silly & self-serving(Party Politics). Common sense out the window for (dems) those who now directly control the govt. Funny-there is no shortage of money for immigrants>I just don’t ‘get-it’!! But then I’m clinging to religion & guns.
3.00 DOLLARS IS BETTER THAN NOTHING STOP THE DAM COMPLAINING DON’T LIKE IT GO LIVE IN USSR WITH THEM AND SEE WHAT YOU GET……..lol
Good idea! Let’s go there, become citizens and them migrate back to the US and take advantage of all the free benefits we’ll get.
Well said
This site is available to voice your own opinion so why are you so upset? That so call increase is a rip off.
Why should I have to leave the country I’ve helped build and the SS account I’ve paid into for decades??????
Lorraine Morgan, another SSA apologist/employee.
It’s gonna go to medicare anyway so it’s nil
WASHINGTON we the people have had enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!if you want to stay in office, fix it. WE THE PEOPLE would like a 16% raise like OBAMA. OF,BY,and FOR THE PEOPLE WILL ENDURE UNDER GOD.
We need a total change in Washington. The Democrats as well as the entrenched Republicans are not willing to give the retired workers who built the USA into a strong and caring country any attention. They have abandoned us!!!
We need to import about a million more Muslims into this country and give them all a free ride.Forget about the elderly, forget about the military personal that gave up lots to defend this country. Lets give the increases to all those individuals that do not need it.
The whole system is corrupt and in need of change.
As an SSI Beneficiary, the Foods & Goods in the Market places has increase over 20% for the past several Years, and the Government SSI has not match those increases so far. The proposed $3:00 increase will not help to off set the tremendous financial burdens the SSI Seniors are currently facing from Month to Month. All we are asking for, is to have an SSI Benefit increase that matches the National cost of living increase per Year. Thank You,
Respectfully, Yours,
Hon. David Forde a Senior SSI Beneficiary,
0.3 that is less than 1%. This the BS
When the voter learns to vote crooked polititions out of every other election then we will have a better Govmt. Mean time the illegals are on the pay roll,get them off and we will get a bigger increase. Call those back stabbers Speaker Ryan,Mitch mcConell,whom ever represents you. Two terms out.
I agree the increase absolutely is divorce ridiculous increase I ever heard them they should be ashamed to even post it.
Wow, is this what I have to look forward too?
I don’t understand how SSN doesn’t keep up or near the CPI increases.
I retired from the military at the age of 45. Thank God, when I retire for a second time, will have two retirement checks that keep up with the CPI.
WHOOP-DE-DEW-What they are not telling you yet is your increase in Medicare co-pay and deductible amounts. So basically you are going to lose not gain.
Given the changes in wealth distribution over the past 20 or so years, there should be NO upper income limit on SS tax.
totally agree
This increase is a joke
American voters need to stop drumming down on who they vote for and stop listing to all the BS of life time politicians.
Keep feeding the illegal & their robust families, plus the rest of the animals that are entering our land illegally from any border.
Their are the CANCER of our society.
WE owe all of these to the one in our W H, thanks again, you really RUIN this land for ever, you’re the master…!!!!!
I find it interesting that many feel that minimum wage should be $15 an hour but that seniors and disabled should only get a .3% raise . At $15 an hour for a 40 hour work week that comes to $600 a week or $2400 a month. Shouldn’t the seniors and disabled be entitled to minimum wage too?
You hit the nail on the head! This is increase, if that’s what you want to call it, is an insult!
In Switzerland, everyone has a guaranteed minimum income, for no reason other than it’s the decent thing to do. It’s not dependent on what the citizen has paid in, but rather on what any human being needs to live on.
In the US, apparently it’s a sin to be disabled and poor and the punishment is poverty and medical bills that cause the majority of bankruptcies.
Do you realize the population size of Switzerland? Compare that to the U.S and also take into account just how much money the Government of Switzerland has compared to the amount of citizens.
Comparing small European countries and their policies to the United States is comparing apples to oranges. Especially a country as rich as Switzerland. Your comparison is ludicrous.
Do you realize how hard it is to become a Swiss Citizen?
We have SSI which can pay $733 to a disabled or aged person that hasn’t paid a penny into the system.
Go move to Switzerland then blanc_dragon, have fun getting citizenship!
You are on point, nicely said.
Dear friends:
It’s a reality that the cost of life in our great nation is highest in the last time. The increasing of the meals, and rent complex for low income is sensitive too.
Congratulations for the new information in order to be more healthy and safe in this country.
why bother, “what difference does it make?”
Thank you for absolutely NOTHING! Why bother? This so called increase is like getting nothing at all! Same old story, the rich get richer! Our medical costs have increased far more than 0.3! Too,bad those overpaid politicians can’t live on what we get for social security. Why should they care? Look at the benefits they get for life! They all but have forgotten the seniors in this country. A Disgrace granting this so called ” increase! I can’t wait to live it up with this extra money! I don’t know where to spend it first, increase grocery costs, higher utility costs, increase insurance premiums, higher property taxes, etc! This will help us so much. What an insult!
My clients need more $
OMG friends, let’s pray to our father in heaven that we get morer than what is stated here!! I really need an increase also.Let’s keep HOPE alive!!!!!!!!!!
Amen, earlier as stated, Im taking my complaint to God. he can fix it..
WHERE HAS HE BEEN FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS
We all just got kicked to the curb again!!!
This is election season and the only reason we are getting an increase. Doesn’t compare to the millions that some get paid to give a two faced speech and yet want to run our government.
Don’t worry when they give a meager raise… it goes to raise your medicare. You want even notice it! Even these blogs/posts are paid for at U.S. TAXPAYER EXPENSE.
I wonder how much of a raise the gov. workers got?
Bet its more than we get!
There is no doubt that the Social Security System has not kept up with Inflation.
At my age of eligibility I was forced to continue working to bring my SS benefit up some.
At 70 years of age now I am and still working to help bring my SS Credits up so as to draw one more penny.
Then to top this off my employer failed to deduct my share towards my retirement for the past 25 years so now I stand to receive only a half of what would have been my full retirement SS benefit amount.
We vote our Politicians out of office, bring in new blood with the understanding and knowledge that even this will not fix the wagon. Some action is better than no action.
There is so much hate in this country, it’s sad. Disenfranchised, forgotten people who want to point the finger at anyone else for their problems. Social Security was never designed to be your sole source of income. That you never planned for retirement or educated yourself is what’s to blame, not the government. Social Security was planned as a supplemental source of income. Quit pointing fingers and look in the mirror. And, stop spewing the hatred. Vote but educate yourself before you do. Vote career politicians out of office and bring in some fresh views on who represents you. Quit voting party lines and study the candidates. Don’t believe everything you hear and stop the hatred.
Blame the victim, that’s your game Susan.
Of course I never “planned” on becoming disabled. Even after I did, I tried to find work I could do. I had already contributed to SS for over 25 years. It didn’t take long to use up all my savings on medical bills and just plain staying alive.
And your statement that SS was “never designed to be your sole source of income” along with the inference that we who became disabled in our prime earning years “never planned for retirement or educated yourself” is just another insult from the privileged. You need to read up on the history of SS.
It’s a social contract as well as an economic one. But I gather you don’t want to participate in the social contract if the other participants are not as rich as you are, nor as healthy.
WELL SAID
Very well said…..
People have worked very hard in this Country and many have planned for retirement. Many have had their pensions reduced or eliminated, lost 402Ks, etc. The minimum wage has not kept up with inflation and families can’t make it and many people are working second jobs. Corporations state they cannot pay a decent wage, insurance or pension yet pay their executives millions of dollars and millions in bonuses and stock options. Seniors have it hard as they have more and more health issues and that puts a huge drain on what finances they do have. Insurance is going up higher and higher as well as medical costs. They say cost of living has not went up. Look at insurance costs, that small bag of potato chips that is reduced in size yet cost the same and well as other food items where size is reduced, price remains same so companies can say they aren’t increasing prices. Say what? Yes, lets vote. Let’s get in term limits, lets get out the career politicians but let’s not blame seniors. And let’s remove the cap on paying into Social Security.
most people who are elderly could not have saved enough for retirement during their entire working lives with the inflation rates that have occurred over the past 50 years and the market crashes that sucked what little they could save. Too bad we all didn’t have a crystal ball and a high paying job 50 years ago. I spent most of my life doing without many things and pinching to make ends meet while saving what I could for retirement. A lot of good that did.
I agree Sharon! Most folks don’t know what they are talking about when it comes to social security until they walk a mile in the worn out shoes someone else had to wear for 50 years. Sad but True.
I knew in 1980 when I went out to seek another job at the age of 32 that I needed to get one that would provide me a pension. I chose one and worked there for 30 years, and now I am happy I did because I knew social security wasn’t going to be my only income in my Golden Years. I get $3,300 a month total it may not be much, but having a house and most bills paid off does help.
Will there be a raise for people like me who get SSDI ?
Monthly Social Security benefits -including SSDI- benefits will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.
Wow, 0.3%. Be still my heart!!!! And the politicians in
D.C. are whining that they can’t get by on $174,000 a
year, plus expenses and freebees. They’re looking for a raise in the ballpark of around 10%. Don’t ya feel bad for ’em?????
……and you stop being a know it all and pointing your finger at everyone else and telling everyone how ignorant they are. The person (Mr Sanchez) that let 25 years go by while his employer failed to deduct his portion of retirement is amazing…..YOU NEVER NOTICED?????
If we got back in social security benefits what was taken out of our paychecks and from our employers on our behalf we would all be a bit better off but we only get a percentage and that is not right. They should have to pay the difference back to us.
The Social Security Administration extends its middle finger to us once again.
Using outdated and inaccurate methods to determine COLA calculations is a scam, designed to keep as much as possible out of the hands of those who need it most.
What a insult!!!!!! What the hell are we supposed to do with that crapola Raise!!!!Q
Well everyone that has time can spend their days on blogs like these
FINISH YOU STATEMENT
0.3% wow well last year when I asked about our cost of living raise I was told the cost of living had not gone up and I told that person when was the last time they bought anything gas, food, anything I told that person o never mind you probably have some one do it for you my bad for asking such a personal question )I was so dam mad) and for the years they have not givin me a raise this whole 4 or 5 bucks won’t even cover how much my rent went up last year alone witch was a little over $70 a month and that was in the year that cost of living had not gone up now their going to give me a 0.3% raise and that doesn’t even get me even caught up for the years they have failed to give me a cost of living raise because to them in most years the cost of living does not go up and for them their right because we are to busy paying their bills for them while us poor folk sit and get screwed over and over but what are people like us to do? it is not like we have the money to file anything in a court because that takes money and forget about driving anywhere because that cost has gone up and up and up but to their records the cost of living last year did not go up I agree whith another person on here the only reason we are getting a raise this year because he hopes it will help put his evil side kick in office heck I hope we don’t get a Clinton in office if we do you think it has been bad up to this point if that happens people that live off SSD or SSI your rights are going to get all kinds of trampled on so ya thanks for the 0.3% can you get off your butt and give it to us every year because we get paid so dam little that you think once every four years that a 0.3% raise is some kind of great reward to us please it is a slap in the face and it stinks make it right and pay us what you failed to pay us for all the years you did not give us a cost of living raise! and people wonder why I dislike the goverment so much their are parts that are ok but their are other parts that need allot of work.
Congress will only find out what it’s really like when we put them on the clock!! Make them punch a time clock and get paid for the amount of work they do. This country was built on the backbone of the average American worker.
Let them see what it feels like for a while year! If they don’t do any work, they don’t get any money. Let them pay for their own insurance (and their family’s) and take out the ‘proper’ taxes. NO perks, NO entitlements, NO ‘paid for’ amenities….and NO paid time off.
They say they’ll do it for a week….NOOOO….a week is not long enough for them to get the full experience. Let them live on it for a year to find out.
.3%……wow…..another slap in the face by our beloved government!! Meanwhile; watch what kind of raise they give themselves ! They have STOLEN all of our Social Security that WE paid into. That was not THEIR money to use to pay off THEIR debt. It’s time to clean house in D.C. We need a HUGE Shop-Vac to go up there and suck up all the sludge that has been vegetating on OUR tax dollars for YEARS.
The best raise we ever got was when Jimmy Carter was president. It was 11 percent. And cost of living keeps rising. Thanks for the peanut raise.
“Cost of Living” data rarely translates to the real cost of living for retired, older people. Most of us do not deal with the latest fashions in clothes or cars etc. If we have a lot of money we might travel. But if not and lived mostly on SS we are dealing with the rise in cost of food we can eat, healthy food, and medicines we need, and heat and cooling our comfort requires. That is our Cost of Living and this paltry amount, likely to vanish with a rise in Medicare costs, is almost insulting to your grandmothers and grandfathers who mostly cannot really work anymore even if they found a place that might hire a 70-90 year old!!
That dollar increase means one less golf ball for Obama! They have their priorities!
I’ve been reading all these comments in hopes to understand SS recipients’ perspectives. Each one of you has helped me understand more what we need so thank you & much respect for this. I help companies & people manage their 401k and other retirement accounts so that we as a nation can address some of the challenges that all of you speak about, this is why I’m here on this thread.
My research & understanding of SS is that is has always been a “pay to support the generation ahead of us” plan. I am a Gen X’er and have always had the mindset that I do not expect SS for myself and that what I pay in is a donation to help support the generation ahead of me to help provide them a dignified life in their later years. I feel it is the least we can do to appreciate & value people like yourselves who have gained much wisdom over your lives & still have so much to offer us younger folk. Most people of my generation feel the same, that they do not expect SS to provide for them; if it happens, it will be an unexpected bonus.
The numbers have changed over time; it used to be that people lived shorter lives and we had 1 person contributing for every 2.1 people receiving SS. Today it is 1 person contributing for every 2.8 people receiving SS. Gen X’ers, those of us in our prime earning years currently, are half the size of the Baby Boomers, those of you in early retirement currently.
The SS COLA increases are based upon the the wage earners index, the CPI-W, when in fact the consumer price index for retirees, the CPI-E, is a more accurate reflection of what costs for retirees are and this is what SS COLA increases need to be linked to.
Thank you again for your insights and always remember how much we younger folks still need the wisdom that you all hold, regardless of what any politician or anyone else says…we *need* you & all that you have to offer.
As a parting note there is a very useful book that some of you may find helpful; I do not know the author and am completely unaffiliated with this book; I have come across it in my work and have found it very helpful in helping others understand SS and how to get the benefits that are available to them. It is “Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security” You may be able to find it at a local library and Amazon offers it as a very reasonable price as well. Hope this helps and blessings to you all.
Thank you for your logical and cogent comments, Michelle. Blessing on you.
THANK YOU for your insight into this matter. I truly hope you never get old or disabled. and thanks for the tip on the book.
I just hope its less than $4.00.
Wow can they spare it .3% That mean anything especially in New Jersey where they just raised the gas tax 23 cents. The government I am sure will get a raise and it will be more than .3%.
They can just keep it as far as I am concerned it is not even worth it. Probably kick me into another tax bracket.
When Obama came into office, one of the first things he did was to tie SS raises to an index he knew would not allow for any or minimal raises to SS. Another thing we can thank him for. He’s a student of Marxism. They don’t much care for elderly, children, disabled or vets., etc…..and it shows! But we can give a terrorist nation billions of dollars….
0.3 % WOW, now how much are they going to raise the Medicare premimum cost ? Bet it would be higher than 1 %. After years of no COLA increase the 2017 increase should be more along the lines of 3 % not 0.3 %…..
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
There are us who cant buy food sometimes pay rent buy meds that we need to live and the price of everything,everything is going up look how high rent and we get too much as we are told to get help with rent,come on the people we put in office we need to rethink about who we put in place this is crazy I guess they don’t care if their putting us out of our housing not being able to just take of our daily needs and live,and I know I’m not the only I know of some people who never worked a day here and get more money then I do come on,now they give us a few cents and how long now has it been,its been a few years now we should happy happy,with the price of life going up! HELP US we should be treated better then this. I got more somebody get at me.
I hate whenever we get SSI increase because when they increase $3.00 a month my rent increases $20.00 each time. I don’t want the $3.00 increase if my rent gets increased $20 each time. So actually, I’m getting ripped off because of that BS increase. I wish there was a way I could refuse any and all future BS increases before that BS increase has me homeless. Does anyone know if there’s anyway I can legally refuse the BS increase?
Cram the .3%. My homeowners alone has gone up $98 from one year to the next. My vehicle insurance went way up. Again, I say “CRAM YOUR .3%!! You thieves need it more than me. If only I could be an illegal immigrant.
I’ll make sure I don’t spend my $3.00 all in one place.
thank for nothing
I like money!!! :-$
Oooo. What an increase. Multiply this year’s monthly, net SS check, which was a REDUCTION from the 2015 amount, by 1.003.
Am I grateful? NO! I paid into the system the maximum amount for each of my working years. U.S. Govenment, you are SCREWING me from getting the benefit of my savings. It’s MY MONEY. IT NEVER WAS “YOUR” MONEY.
You bureaucrats are not only idiots,you’re also assholes.
Hey what happened to the bill HR4012 that was to give us a little more?
Ask your Congress man of your Senator just what is
up with that!
This is election time.
You know the squeaking wheel gets the grease!
Or is it time for a change?
I want to know how they expect us to pay for our prescriptions with no increase? and no increase is what that amounts to when you figure medicare will increase more than 0.3%
For every dollar you now receive from social security it means you’ll get $.03 raise, so why are you celebrating? Those that get $850 a month they’ll get $852.55, so what can you buy for $2.55 extra a month? One gallon of gas and have a few pennies left over,
I am just glad I have a pension because we all know for a fact social security is not enough to support you for the rest of your life. I will get a $5.55 raise on my social security and that is nothing to brag about.
I would like to know why there is a medicare increase in payment? There was no inflation in 2015, but the federal government raised the cost of medicare in2016. Now they are going to raise it again in 2017.It just doesn’t seem fair to me, when it comes to senior citizens the government is allways screwing them. This is one senior citizen who is fed up with WASHINGTON and all the crooked politions.
Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
We all should be MAD AS HELL. with what this gov. is doing to the old people of this country.
The people that really Made this country.
All I can say I am glad I am not any younger !
Where we live the cost of water & sewer at a min, rate is over $1800.00 per year.
How can we survive with the cost to live.
Most elderly earned very little when they worked, so never expect to get what someone that earned a lot gets because it’s not going to happen. I get what I deserve and there’s nothing I can do about it, so I am just glad I have an extra pension.
0.3 is not much of an increase (about $3.00) So sad, We the seniors get nothing or very little and the Senate and house get huge raises every year! They are the ones that should get nothing, they have done absolutely nothing for us this past 4 years!!! Medicare goes up, and everything else but all we get is 0.3%. Give all the money that took from Social Security. They want our votes but yet they get there and do nothing for us!!!
Will be gobbled up by increase in Medicare premiums.
Average raise around four bucks announcer on radio said this a.m. Big deal – what a joke.
yes, WHAT A JOKE!! yes, radio dj’s were having a hay day with this.
it’s long gone before we get it with the constant increase of health insurance premiums.
bettyg, iowa
Last year we got 0% COLA. My major medical Insurance premiums went up by $20.00 each month, therefore, I got $20.00 less, as my premium is withheld from my SS benefits. When Medicare increases their rate, plus any increase in my Insurance, I will definitely be getting less. I am 76 years old, a widow for 28 years, and retired. I cannot work due to severe back problems. I cannot afford to shop in regular stores, only shop in dollar stores or discount houses. I can’t even afford to pay for the membership fees for the big box stores either. I don’t have any children to help me out. So, I struggle day to day. What more can I do? CRY?
Wow, $3.00 bucks. 🙂 I now have 736 instead of 733. I am tickled pink and while i am at it I can afford blue polka dots now too! wahooo!
🙂 Merry xmas to all ya’ll as well
You didn’t work at least 35 years. Most retirees get $1100 a month, but they worked 35 years and that’s why they get that amount. People on SSI get $733 a month. Wait, you must be on SSI, so that’s why you get $733, so be happy you’ll get an extra three dollars.
Actually $733 x .003 (0.3%) is $2.20 and not $3.00…hate to be the bearer of bad news…Now for the good news…Those receiving $1,100 per month will receive a whoping $3.30 more each month…woohoo!!!
My calculator went out, so that was just an estimate.
I would love to know how they make the calculations to figure out the cost of living. If the Commissioner had to live with what we receive from Social Security, I’m sure he would not be fat and glossy as seen in the photo. If had invested what I contributed to S.S. I could have enough money to at least buy two modest homes and I could sell it and get triple the money I sent to the S.S.
Hi Rodolfo. The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA.
Congress enacted the COLA provision as part of the 1972 Social Security Amendments, and automatic annual COLAs began in 1975.
how is that good news sense that also means medicare is gonna go up so i lose more then i gain like a few here i would stop medicare then I’m really screwed. i mean 2.50 cents covers what a month . id rather you keep it and not raise medicare at least that way i don’t lose anything.
We did not recieve an increase in 2016, however the part B premium increased. Premiums for supplements,advantage plans also went up as part D plans, the cost of CO and Share payments Rose. If there was no COLA increase (supposedly because of no rise in the cost of living)-WHY DID ALL OTHER COSTS INCREASE?
Increases in SS are based on cost of living, one of which is gas and thats the one that held the increase down.
Who thinks senior citizens use gas as much as they did when they were younger?
SS increases should be based on a cost of living for senior citizens, which is different then to total population.
Am I right?
Thank you.
Hi Keith. The Cost-Of-Living Adjustment or COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. You can find details about the new COLA at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Thanks!
The amount we get monthly is ridiculous a joke….I am a single mom tryin to raise 4 boys and have a incurable disease that makes it impossible for me to work and yet I barely make enough to cover my rent monthly let alone the other stuff i need to make ends meet for my children and then to give me a 20 cent increase when congress lines their already fat little pockets even more it is thoroughly insulting the cost of living today is at it’s highest and families of working parents need to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet and make it pay day to pay day yet they expect us to survive off change that rolls outta their pockets….this is sad and they need to fix this they complain about the rise in homeless in this country quit sending all kinds of money over to other countries and help the people in our own backyards and maybe you won’t have to complain about the rise in families and kids and veterans that are homeless and living in cars or on streets cause shelters are over full…..we can’t help our own people but boy we have no problems sending millions over seas sad sad sad
The next time you have to go to the bathroom make sure you flush twice, its a long way to Washington!!
Thank You for your contribution!
Its the least you can do.
All you people don’t take into account that a persons s.s. is based on what the person made while working,
And from what I’ve seen all congress and others in high gov. spots make a hell of a lot more then the reg. person.
I know that’s why I seldom say a word because those $4 dollars and change I’ll be getting isn’t going to make me rich. We get what we put in and most people didn’t earn that much in their working days.
How nice is it that the only increase that is worried about is the minimum wage amount. Seniors are not important in the USA. Why are seniors expected to live on under $1,200 per month.We not longer can live like this. Guess it means that you give up your personal form of transportation and send the rest of their days just staying at home. What about food cost keep raising and seniors have less and less for their daily needs.
We remember that we did not get any raise in our Social Security money. The excuse used was due to Gasoline prices. What about all the things that did go up and effect our SSD money. All utilities, Grocery’s are higher across the board and all that I can say is “OUCH”. Social Security need to be revamped and raises in Social Security need to reflect the Entire Chains as to where our money goes. I personally have been on Social Security since I was 54. I made a great living while working and expected All of the Money that I was due from Social Security. Instead, 33% was and is withheld from what I receive each month. I didn’t choose to have a Sever Neck Injury that left me jobless, not able to work and have to live in “Poverty’. The 33% that was withheld from me was paid be myself and employer. When I think of the “Powers’ that make the decision, I feel as though “I’ve been Robbed” by my own country. The money certainly doesn’t belong to our “Country”. I belongs to all of the people that had to take Social Security early due to being disabled. To make this more clear, Our Government is greedy and is taking our hard earned money that we paid taxes on. I call this Highway Robbery without any feeling of remorse for what they have literally stolen..
The 3% that we’re getting is just a “Slap in the Face’. and they Marvel and Take Credit for giving us money to get us out of ‘Poverty”. They don’t have an idea as to what it takes to ” Survive” as the are not only given “Free Medical” they get “Credit Cards” to use as they please.
I’m ending now knowing that one has to be a “Crook” to be elected State and Federal employment.
COLA increase for 2017 is ridiculous. Not all costs have gone down…utilities, water, auto insurance, phone and others keep increasing more annually than COLA!
I’m so upset about the embarrassing COLA increase for 2017. They say inflation hasn’t increased, but everything in my budget is going up at least $20 each. They tripled our county taxes this year and all the Medicare insurance plans are going up. Who did they get their information from? No politician should get a raise. I’ve refinance my home and will be paying for it until I’m 95. Any extra I was putting toward the principal will be taken by all the other increases.
if the disability payments that go out to all of fraud payments were investigated with more candor. It is shame to see how familys use this because they are to damn lazy to work. the honest person suffers while frauds laugh at the one who supports them what a shame on the system. and the leaders of this county borrow from and never pay it back
0.3 SERIOUSLY????
What a joke. 0.3 percent equals nothing. And they are raising medicare premiums so you will get even less. I want our president, senators and reps to live off the amount they give us to live on. Let’s see how fast it changes if they have to make ends meet on this never income.
I normally do a very long email when it pertains to Social Security. I feel as though our Government is Not for the people that they are elected to make sound choices when voting on a bill. Like all of the rest of us, I’m Insulted that Social Security keeps 33% of those who are Disabled. I personally did not elect to become disabled, however my wishes do not change God’s Will.
Our Government should be ashamed for literally stealing our money. The 33% that they keep is Ours as we all paid taxes on this money and the employer did also.
We didn’t receive an increase in our checks for 2015. The feeble reason “Gas Prices” were down was something a child in 1st grade might think of. The price index surely went upwards, just go to a grocery, and the people that “We Elect” to represent us, were just “Figures of Representation”.We’ll all get the 3% raise due to the “Price Index Increasing”. Come on does the Government really think that 3% is the Total of the Increase in the Price Index? I’m sure it’s much higher. When are we going to get a Fair Shake from our government…
Sorry I rambled again..
To prevent the SS fund from running out of money in about 17 years, would it not be a good idea to raise the SS wage base from $127000 to $250000. That way there would be more money collected to keep the fund going for at least a litle longer!.
What a joke .03% my medicare cost is $114.00 per month my part D prescription cost me $81.60 per month for 2016 my part D almost doubled from 2015 to 2016. COLA is a joke All politicians are Corrupt as far as I am concerned they can stick this COLA increase where the sun don’t shine. I have no confidence in crooked Hillary or lying Trump. Hillary just wants to make History an Trump wants power, since they both are wealthy. They both just want power and they don’t give a damn about the poor or the middle class
Hello we are going to receive a 3% increase we are going to receive .03% that is just a little more than a 1/4 of a percent in other words were all are receiving the shaft!!!
Man, it seems none of these politician think they will not get old and sick. I was part of the group that put together the zip plus 4 program, with a title of Senior Computer Scientist working out of the Long Island USPS Sales office, and because the Director (that closet queen) and Asst. Director felt that the Supervisory Staff should go and pick out modular desk at a USPS back warehouse (which by the way the union USPS workers did not enjoy supervisors to go into a warehouse and do work that they do, so they piled these desk or panels at least 1 1/2 stories high) So when we tried to get one of the panels the entire stack fell over, almost trapping all of us. We then start to grab panels to place them into a truck, and I grabbed the front of a 16 foot panel that weigh a ton, an express mail supervisor grabbed the other end, but misjudged the weight and dropped his end which pulled my back and I have been disabled ever since. This happened in 1988, The Directors that ordered us, got promoted, I lost my home in 1990 cause NYWC only gave me 300.00 a month my long term disability gave me 600.00 a month, my bills totaled 1,800.00 plus a month and in 1997 I finally got on SSD. However once I got my SSD the long term insurance kept bugging me to get more and more doctor reports and they kept offering me a buy out for 15,000.00 so I took the buy out because I just could not keep going to doctors every other day, keep in mind I only had SSD and WC which just going to the doctors was giving me more pain on my back and stress-out, so much I had a heart attack. So the COLA’s meant a great deal to me, when Obama said no Cola because things were getting better. I asked myself Where !!! Cause the GAS kept going up not down, well yeah two days of the week it went down five cents… but what is five cents really… I was making on the Job just about 90k per year, now my combined yearly income from WC and SSD is 22k a year and most of that goes on Gas, and Pills.. I’m still going to doctors… and my self pride is shot to nothing I feel worthless.. I can’t sit, stand, walk, and crawl so my knowledge of systems has gone and today I’m like a model T in a world of advance systems, so I can’t even get a part time job to supplement my Federal and Local Govt income. Oh yeah a Law Suit… well I tried that during the 1989 – 1994 and all, and I mean all the supervisors that were there no less than two feet away (were threaten by the Directors not to say anything) so they told the USA Attorney they did not see a thing… Great huh… and I am a US Navy Vet. but since I am not service connected (meaning I did not get hurt as a Serviceman) I can get to see Doctors but I still pay and pay for meds also, but to go to the VA it’s a big hassle, driving far away, bills from the VA for visits to Doctors and for each Pill they give you and they don’t stop with the bills and the collections, tried them, and cant deal with it, rather see local Doctor. So when the COLA is issued please calculate the cost of Gas, Food and Rent now since I can’t ever pay a Mortgage anymore. I hope that all those Postal Supervisors from Long Island NY understand that I am still in this mess and without any great funds, basically living in poverty, so Thank You my Co-Workers for not coming forward maybe if you all see this post you can find it in your heart to write to the USA Attorney in Washington and tell the truth so maybe you can sleep well…. and maybe God will Open the gates for you when it’s your time for finally coming forward.
I used to get a $.60 hourly raise every year when I was working, so that’s about $24 a week or $96 a month, but social security isn’t about to give us that even in a year.
The biggest fraud committed against those of us on Social Security is the fact that the Government borrow money from our “self-funded” Trust. It should be over $2 Trillion dollars but it’s not. The time has come for our Government to stop sending Trillions of tax payers money to Foreign governments and refund out Trust Fund FIRST. Once that is completed Social Security will then become a solvent Trust again. AMERICA FIRST! Then let the tax payer’s decide which other governments get money if they chose to do so. Enough of our Representatives in Congress deciding who to give money to! SO SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TIME FOR YOU TO SPEAK UP!!
Jerry, Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system. Social Security taxes collected from today’s workers pay the benefits of today’s retirees. Any funds in excess of what is needed to pay today’s benefits are invested in special issue, U.S. Government, interest-bearing securities. This investment – the purchase of U.S. Government securities – is what constitutes the “borrowing” that people are sometimes concerned about. Any funds that have been “borrowed” from the Social Security Trust Funds have always been paid back in full, plus interest. Please check out our Trust Fund Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
It’s going to be a very long year with a .03% increase. Nothing more to say…
.003%.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It’s time for price and rent caps!!!
Wow! I’ll get $4.78 more a month and it comes out to $57.31 for the entire year. Most recipients will get $2.00, so maybe I should call myself lucky.
The increase is only .3%. For some that is only $2 to $5 a month. That does nothing to help someone on a fixed income.
Since our medicare premiums will go up for 2017 and only 0.03% increase in pay , i guess nothing is changing and we won’t be seeing a raise at all. This is so sad for us that have worked for over 40 years
Hi Jo. Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects approximately 70 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. Information about Medicare changes for 2017, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov.
With the Medicare increase, my benefits are exactly the same as last year. My raise went 100% to the Medicare increase.
What’s sad is that many of us are forced to live in either poverty, abusive or unhealthy environments or simply under an uncaring/unhappy spouse’s thumb because we cannot afford to live on our own with what we receive in SSDI/SSI depending on our age/years worked prior to disability ~ I am 49, disabled since 2009. Even with my home being paid for – I still cannot afford to live on my own and there’s no add’l help out there – at least not in MN. Thx for listening to me whine! 😉 TLC in MN
We all need to get in touch with your legislators and tell them to get on the stick and pass the HR-4012 bill.
This would help the us seniors some!
I AM 80 YEARS OLD AND STILL WORKING FULL
TIME. BECAUSE I AM STILL PAYING IN SS, DOES
MY AMOUNT PER MONTH CHANGE EACH YEAR.
if you get $733 now,how much will it go up with 0.3%
They spend millions of dollars for elections,& they give peanuts to seniors , not enough to feed the bird ,they Are so cheap they don’t care about senior working all their life & build the country paying taxes all the times been working.i know the new president will do much better in future ,be patient.
Spent millions of dollars for election,& they give peanut for working all our life & paying taxes, they are paying to feed the birds.it is so ashamed,we hope the new president will do better & I am.confedent it will.
A $4.00 increase as a COLA is an obnoxious absurdity. How can anyone in their right mind expect a $48.00 annual increase to be of any significance especially when taxes are also paid on the increase. The system or formula used to determine the COLA MUST be changed to reflect a realistic living index.
Cost of living increase 0.3%, cost of medicare part b goes up almost 30.00 a month. Great
For those of you who do not realize the increase was 0.3% (note the period before the 3)
and that is only $3.00 per each thousand. Anybody who thinks that inflation was that low has not bought anything in the last year. The same stupid idea as thinking the employment rate is 4%. They fudge all the data thinking we will believe them. And now they don’t understand why the progressives just lost the election… what a bunch of dunces!
A lousy $2.00 raise got to be kidding. The cost of living is increasing everything from food to cars. This is a rotten shame living in poverty because social security has to be paid from us that don’t have money. What they give a month is nothing I’m just scraping by and by the end of the month I run out of money. We have to suffer to pay their wages that are 3 times more than what we get from them and expected to pay everything like house taxes, grocery, utility bills, car insurance, house insurance, broken down auto repairs the list goes on and on.
It seems NO one is fighting for those this affects 2016 their were no raises so lets get real in two years you say Very little increase in the economy, Its a crock of BS, People are being Bamboozled, Everything has gone up the cost of living in the last 2 years have gone up a lot, Rents,food,gas, while people on a fixed income are struggling and their is NO voice for them, I don’t see ACLU,Legal Aid or others going after them, to prove the information they put out holds no water, all you have to do is look around, last month our rent went up 550.00, regular homes for the first time hit 1mil, their renting 2 bedroom duplex for 3800.00, they have sky rocketed, So dont tell me 0.3% under 6.00 increase, YOU can give millions and billions away to other countries , you waist money as in the news Billions, you print money we don’t have, you dont get any money back from the other countries, then you tell us the people how in debt we are, All thanks to you and the GREEDY and the Secret Socities who call the shots of the country, We as a country are so messed up, Pushing our own people into proverty because of GREED…
I WOULD LIKE TO HOW MUCH MY DISABITY CHECK WILL BE IN JANUARY I DRAW 1156 NOW
I DRAW 1156 NOW MUCH WILL I GET IN JANUARY 2017
Hi Shirley. Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for over 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017. The increase will begin with benefits that Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2017.
I talked to a lady today with SSA and she said her name was Grace ID # 4126 (on recording) and she said she want a mathmatician but the increase was she said 0.3 % – which anyone knows is actually 30%. But I knew that wasnt right so I fugured .03which is actually 3%, but what the increase really is ! it is .003 or 3 tenths of 1%; mine amounted to $5.00 / month….!
Got my notice today. Just enough to have hamburger one time in the coming year with my frequent Hamburger Helper. I am going to be in seventh heaven…
I’m shocked that you got enough EXTRA to buy hamburger. My increase was $5 and my Medicare premium went up $5, so I got nothing extra at all.
Better look again, your Medicare charges also went up..
Got my SS statement on my 2017 cola. 3 dollars and guess what my medicare deduction went up 3 dollars . Nothing in the pocket again.But they approved a 10 dollar raise per household for electricity A 5 dollar raise for water bill.I guess us elderly generation is going to be phased out by starvation by our government They should be ashamed
I’d sure like to know how they come up with such a ridiculous amount for a raise. My utilities have gone up more than .03%. I don’t even get a $5 a month increase.
I think it’s terrible ironic that they come up with a o.3% cost of living increase for benefits at the same time that they increase the cost of Medicare by 4.6%, more than canceling out the increase in benefits for most Social Security recipients. That must be Common Core math because it sure doesn’t add up by anything I ever learned in school.
Figure it out Carol…you won’t take home a penny more after they round off to the nearest dollar! IT’S A SHAM!!!
Many people receiving Social Security are in for a shock. Their Cost of Living increase will not be theirs to spend because Medicare is taking the whole of it! Yes, the Government is taking that tiny increase after saying that the Cost of Living hasn’t increased but .003%. That means, for a great many people, their S.S. payments will be exactly the same as what they received last year. Now that Medicare gobbled that up that Cost of Living increase – the increases in heat, food, rents, etc., can be ignored for another year!
Spot on!!
I got my 2017 benefit statement–I got a measly $5 increase and my Medicare premium went up the same $5, so my bottom line is the same as last year! Moreover, there was no increase in 2015, so no increase in spendable money since 2014! Medicare pays almost nothing!
same here,,didn’t get a penny!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame on you social security!!!!!!!
I just received my New Benefit the other day and here is what I get. $00.00. That is with a 0.3% increase in 2017. Here is the outcome last year (2016) I had $104.90 deducted for medicare insurance. For 2017 my SS will increase by 0.3% Right?? Now they are going to deduct $111.00 for Medicare insurance which is an increase of $6.10. My 0.3% increase amounted to $6.28 so where did the 18 cents go that I should have gotten because my take home benefit stayed the same as it did for 2016 and 2015. I have not had an increase in spendable dollars since 2014 so I guess the government needed the 18 cents to pay for Obama to spend over $85 MILLION dollars of our taxpayer money on himself and his family for their vacations. And to top it off he wants the taxpayers to pay him $1 billion to fuel his post-presidential legacy, which will include his presidential library and a series of political causes that he believes in. BOHICA
All of the money this country sends to the flag burning American hating countries that will never return it anyway . Its about time for our government start taking care of the people that have worked all their lives and paid into the system. In stead of worrying about these countries that hate us.
This is a joke, right? With all my other medical expenses going up, I will be more in the hole than ever! What are you going to do for the Seniors when we’re out on the street?
My “new” payment is exactly the same as it’s been for three years now! When do we Seniors get to see some kind of realistic increase?
my rent goes up 75 dollars and i get a measly 2 dollar increase i mean what the f*ck my father and mother didnt even get one so now thanks to the US government we can’t afford to live here and are going to struggle guess no birthdays my niece and nephew.
I was Notified of my 3.00 a month increase today. Three months ago my check was garnished by approximately 153.00 a month for a student loan I had over 20 years ago. The loan amount was originally 1400.00 now it’s up to 7000.00. I thought my loan was paid in full. I am 69 years old and was judged, by the US government, completely disabled in 2007. My original SS check amount is 1,015.00 a month. After they took the 153.00 I am left with a little over 800.00 a month to live on. SS allowed the student loan folks to garnish my check and I received no notice as to why my SS check was reduced. I called SS to find out what was going on and they told me the above. I used to have money to get someone to help me with a few things around my home. Now I have no money to do much of anything. Illegals that are Muslim get 1700.00 a month to get set up in this country, but those of us who were born here and paid into social security get the shaft. Our own government treats its citizens horribly. They grow rich off the backs of the old and disabled. May God have mercy on their souls!
0.3 % is an insult to anyone. I don’t know what kind of formula the government uses to figure the cost of living but I notice the cost of living going up all around me constantly.
I have not yet received my “Your New Benefits Amount” for 2017, but my husband has over, a week ago. How can I obtain my New Benefit Amount statement?
Thank you in advance.
Mrs .N.A. Roach
Thanks for your question Mrs. Roach. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices are mailed during the month of December. However, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps.
My “raise” minus medicare fee will garner me less than last year.
Maybe we should all write to Mr. T about this outrage. He claims he is going to fix everything!
well i got letter for benefits a few days ago, i get less than a thousand dollars a month and im 74yrs old, i did not get an increase, the letter states that, and my check will remain the same. so who is getting the raise
What raise? I receive exactly $5.00 more… but wait, I don’t even receive that because Medicare when up exactly $5.00 more per month…. Our Government should be ashamed. As to all Government workers and Social Security, the law changed in 1986 all government workers employed since 1986 are paying into social security ..congress has been paying into social security since 1983….
I found it interesting that for 2017, the monthly amount deducted for medicare was exact amount that will keep my monthly SS check exactly the same as that of 2016 even with the .3% increase. What a coincidence, I thought.
Then, several days later my wife received her notice of .3% increase and her medicare deduction was also calculated such that her 2017 SS checks would be exactly same as 2016.
It’s like they juggle everyone’s Medicare deduction to keep bottom line where they want it.
The government needs to stop wasting taxpayers dollars giving food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, housing, etc to refugees/foreigners–put an end to the Refugee Resettlement Program–making these refugees better off than Seniors and average Americans! I am sick and tired of this waste when Seniors and Veterans get short-changed.
Are you kidding me! I just got my read-out for our expected SS check for 2017. My husbands went down a dollar and mine stayed the same. I am so full of hate for the government. My supplemental insurance went up another $14. a month and that includes higher co-pays! I could go on and on. Groceries, car insurance, school taxes! What a farce our government is.
I just received my statement too and with the 0.3% increase and the increase in Part B, I have absolutely no increase in my income! Everything else I have to pay out have increased substantially! Very upsetting how they did that to us..
Just received my statement and for the 2nd straight year my wife and I will get about $15 a month less than we did the year before. Everything that we spend money on has gone up by much more of a percentage so we are constantly trying to find ways to get through each month without running out of money. I guess I should be happy for what we have this year because it will be more than we’ll have next year.
As of 12/17/2016 my husband Robert J. Brantley has not
received his ” Your New Benefit Amount” letter with his 0.3% increase for 2017.
Like many others. The 0.3% was an insult to anyone’s intelligence. It was NOTa COLA it was to cover an increase in Medicare. Just another same-o, barely break even year coming up for us in 2017.
My AF civ svc pension will have a zero % increase again.
At what point can I apply for EBT (food stamps). Food has accelerated more than I’ve ever seen.
When I read about how the First Family lives and the self-administered raises for their pensions, it angers me to a point not to be believed. They are taking care of #1 – #1 is certainly not the Average American.
The amount I get a month is so low that the 0.30 raise will not cover the Medicare increase. Am I going to take a loss?
COLA RAISE. Some more FLIM FLAM from THEM. THEY say that you are going to get a RAISE in your SS check. Then you get the official notice in the mail and LO and BEHOLD there is no raise and your lucky your going to get the same payment, because SUPRISE they RAISED your MEDICARE DEDUCTION. WOW they did it again with a SMILE.
All I can say is that Trump will make America broke again!
Sandra, you must a New Yorker and know just who that man really is. The complaints here now will pale greatly when he finishes with us “just-getting-by-citizens”.
The increase in cola that civil service employees receive is the same as the increase in the social security cola.
Fellow Commenters, we have spent time writing our comments/complaints/views. Who is listening? Most of the comments here are legit and all are from the citizenry of this U.S.A. Who will respond to this? Do
the cares of the former/current/disabled/ main stream workers/ on Social Security even matter? Does any government force care that we are granted a pittance of a so-called SS benefit raise which we won’t even realize as an increase in our monthly checks. Does it even matter that the amount of years we have spent working/serving this country through our labor will amount to receiving our just due in the form of a decent benefit? Who will “lobby” this injustice? Does Congress even care?
No
We did not get a .3% increase. The same as last year. The increase went to Medicare. So there was not a cost of living increase for us.
First of all our Social Security when down the tubes the minute these so called Politicians decided to begin using our hard earned monies for other things.. ie’ Disability…the need to find something else to fund these other programs!
Yes, I believe our Government should be on Social Security and adhere to minimum or no raise policy.
How can we get them to discontinue using our monies for these other programs and reimburse what they have stolen from us?
This 3% increase just isn’t enough. Especially the high cost of Medicare.. Of which the Government is not doing anything to put a cap on Hospital, Doctors, Insurance, Pharmaceuticals, etc. How about them taking this issue head on and put caps on all the abuse and high gouging costs these entities are forcing upon us!
How can a 0.3% increase in benefits for 2017 end up an increase of $2.10 for everyone with that $2.10 being taken by the increase in Medicare of $2.10. Sounds like Medicare got the increase, not the beneficiary. Their increase was just added to our benefits to make us think we got an increase. Not one cent difference in our monthly payment. This is really a well done government prank again with beneficiaries as the losers. We are also in poverty level but no help is available from anyone for us. Just gets worse. We can’t even afford food any more.
Cost of living increase for 2017 is a real good joke
I have worked every since I was a teenage Ir. I have worked two jobs at a time because one just didn’t cover my expenses. In 1990 I was injured on the job. I didn’t receive anything but workers comp. and wc insurance. I was on disability for 3 years, while I was going through rehabilitation after 2 surgeries. I returned to work and worked for 13 years in pain. I worked until I could no longer work. I really am very disappointed and sadden by this. I can barely pay my bills each month, and sometimes, I don’t know where my next meal is coming from. I also have to pay insurance for my prescriptions, which I can’t afford but you have to do what you have to do. I am currently studying for my cdl permit to drive a school bus again, I am going to work in extreme pain. Praying to God to give me the strength I need to accomplish my goals. For the life of me, I can’t understand why they think we can live on so little of money. I don’t know how this is going to work out for me, but I have to at least try. I don’t have a choice but to try going back to work. I’m a senior citizen and I have paid my dues, I am really in a bad way, can barely walk some days but I know God will make a way for me.
It’s a shame and a disgrace for one of the richest and prosperous countries in the world ignore, our Seniors, Teachers and Veterans.
Have we noticed how entertainers ,as well as,non entertainers come into the U.S. for more riches. Of course, nothing is wrong with this, as the saying goes “It’s business”.
Why can’t our teachers seniors and veterans get a piece of the pie, they have put time in as well and some continue still?
They seem to find money for other countries, minimum wage increases for all federal employees and government contractors, illegal immigrants and a host of other things but fail to make amends for the American senior citizens. There is supposed to be more jobs coming, which is good, and they are supposed to be higher paying jobs, which is good, but what about those on fixed incomes? Seems their focus is in the wrong place.
I got a $3/mo increase. Whoopee! Can’t even buy a package of bacon… How much did Obama and the rep of Congress get? Bet it was much more than that. And they juggle the books. Inflation went up alot more than three dollars a month!
How can you get a raise but get less in your check !!! A big slap in the face.
OMG, got a letter from social security that I agree to a $19 additional charge for my prescription drug plan. I never agreed and now both my husband and I will have this new chg. So that’s $38 less………….
I just got my direct deposit today for the new year, it stayed exactly the same as last yeat, I guess the insurance went up and took the entire .03% raise, pathetic that our government got a 3% or better cost of living due to inflation and we only got a lousy .03%, that really makes no sense. This was all planned, it was only enough to cover the increase in insurance. I worked all my life for this, who can even live on it? To go from $60K a year in salary, car and bonuses down to $1249 a month…no wonder we have to supplement our income some way just to eat.
I find it very ironic that our cost of living increase of .03% is the same amount that my medicare cost went up this making my net exactly the same as it was in 2016. Did all of you have the same result?
Yes. The entire amount goes to a Medicare increase. My wife and I have very different SS monthly benefits but the increases were exactly the same as the increases in our Medicare deductions. So our net benefit is exactly the same as last year’s. What kind of Tom-foolery is going on?
Just checked MySS. My benefits did not change and the cost for Medicare premium did not change so where is the.3%
Wow cost of living raise didn’t even offset increase in medicare premium. I’m receiving $10/month less on my check
We have got to protest go into their offices and let them see our face.. Almost all of them should be retired, they are all too old to be making any kind of decisions. I could not believe it when I saw that .3 . Let me know if we are going to organize.
My wife and I both received our benefit summaries for 2017.
Both are wrong. The increase was less than 3% for my wife and slightly greater for me.
But in both cases we received no net monthly increase because the amount of the Medicare increase exactly matched the amount the benefit increased even though the percentages were different. Unbelievable coincidence or out-and-out error? I would bet on the latter.
Both the amount of the benefit increase and the amount of the Medicare deduction appear to be incorrect. This is basic arithmetic.
Disappointed Recipient
I am having difficulty understanding how my husband and I are getting to the penny, the exact same net amount of ss as in 2016. I would like to get and explanation.
Hi Wanda. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.