[Brad from Tennessee]

This would affect 30 percent of recipients.

[Steely Tom]

Not possible. Obama said average health insurance premium would go down by $2500.

[I am Richard Brandon]

Simple question. When gas prices went up, what effect did that have?

[Bryanw92]

>>The purpose of the automatic increases is to preserve the purchasing power of Social Security benefits. . .

Wages aren’t keeping up either.

[LambSlave]

So when fuel and food prices are rising rapidly they are volatile, and excluded from CPI, so no COLA increase. But now, when fuel prices are falling they are dominating all other costs, so no COLA increase. Got it: whatever happens, no COLA increase. During the Obama presidency we have seen fuel and food costs increase more than any other living generation of Americans, but somehow we have the first three years of ZERO COLA increases in the history of the social security program. I don’t draw social security, but this is outrageous. Using the CPI to peg SS and COLA is stupid for other reasons beyond this blatant fraud. “Real” cost of living is influenced by real estate taxes, increased cost of education, increased housing costs, increased cost of services, and many other factors not considered at all.

[grania]

Because of low gas prices, the Cost of Living "didn't increase". Except a lot of Seniors can't afford to drive very much, so the things that we actually need to purchase did go up in price!

Medicare part A is free for those who qualify. It's the optional parts that keep increasing. A lot of my friends say it's the co-pays that are increasing dramatically.

[American in Israel]

Funny how “the quirks” always end up being the Feds take more money. One might think they are simply corrupt.

[upchuck]

From the article, people who will pay more:

That smaller group, (30% of Medicare recipients) more than 15 million strong, includes some high-income Medicare beneficiaries who are already required to pay higher premiums; low-income people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid; beneficiaries who are new to Medicare in 2016; and those who do not receive Social Security checks.

[Tau Food]

Medicare actuaries predicted in July that the standard premium for those beneficiaries would rise next year to $159 a month, from just under $105 a month for most beneficiaries, the same as in 2013 and 2014.

Health insurance for $ 159.00 per month?

Health insurance for $ 159.00 per month?

Health insurance for $ 159.00 per month?

I wonder if the people who live in the wonderful world of senior benefits have any idea what regular people pay for health insurance.

[Wolfie]

Good. The sooner we gut these socialist programs, the better.

[beethoven]

Amazing Obama can push spending billions for illegals and refugees, but not for those who actually worked and contributed to our country.

[celmak]

When under what president did borrowing from Social security begin, and was that President the one that passed the bill to borrow from it?

[CottonBall]

“Gasoline prices, in particular, have declined sharply, holding down overall prices in the economy.”

Gas and food aren’t included in inflation calculations so I find this to be deceptive.