[TomGuy]

Brief history of recent SS COLA increases:

January 2007 -- 3.3%
January 2008 -- 2.3%
January 2009 -- 5.8%
January 2010 -- 0.0%
January 2011 -- 0.0%
January 2012 -- 3.6%
January 2013 -- 1.7%

The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was about $1,230 at the beginning of 2012. This amount changes monthly based upon the total amount of all benefits paid and the total number of people receiving benefits.

Medicare premium is automatically deducted from the Social Security benefit for those qualifying for Medicare.

Part B premium [for newly eligible]:

2010 -- $110.50
2011 -- $115.40


Those already on Medicare had their premiums frozen at $96.40 during the 2 years of zero COLA adjustments. It increased to $99.90 and has now increased to $104.90.

[Sacajaweau]

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/278104?tp=1

[Sacajaweau]

When Medicare first started, the Premium was $3 a month...equal to one work hour wage for most.

Today it is $105 per month. I don't know many people that make $105 an hour, do you??

[Roccus]

...and don’t forget that if a retiree has more taxable income (outside of SS) than the government deems necessary, the retiree’s SS retirement benefits start to be considered “taxable income”.