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Having read through the posts on the SS cola suspension I have bee unable to determine if the COLA applies to all other government agencies and employees, including military if covered, and welfare benefits. It has been my understanding that COLAs were automatic if a govt check was involved. The socialist democrat party supported taxing SS benefits during the Clinton Gore years and it did not seem to dampen the senior turnout for the RATs. Also, I have not seen anything regarding whether there will be an increase in Medicare payments which generally pretty much wipe out the SS COLA each year. Will the govt now stop that increase as well? Inquiring minds etc.

See my post #53 re SS. There is no suspension of SS COLAs. The formula used to compute COLAs show that one is not warranted. COLA Estimates

As far as Medicare is concerned, the payment deducted from SS to pay for part B premiums is also computed on the basis of a formula and it is also means tested to a certain degree.

Medicare Part B monthly premiums in 2009