Posted on 10/24/2025 6:00:11 AM PDT by zeestephen
Over the last 20 years, the Social Security COLA has averaged 2.6%, according to The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
soon: Medicare announces cost rise of 2.7%....................
Always less than actual inflation and sometimes just enough to cover the increased medicare premium.
AMEN!!!
That’s the truth.
Medicare deduction will take it all.
Actually it’s going up 11.6% to 206.50...or so I read.
In 2025 the average SS was a tad bit over $2,000 per month ($24,000 Annual). In 2025 the average Part A & B Medicare payment is tad over $185 per month, so let’s put plenty of pad in there and call it $200 ($2,400 Annual).
SS increase for 2026 is 2.8%
$2,000 X’s 2.8% = $56 ($672 Annual).
On the high end, assuming Medicare increase matches SS at 2.8% - your Part A and B premiums would increase approx $5.60 per month. Leaving you an overall monthly increase of $50.40 per month. Enough to donate $5.00 to Free Republic per month and still have have $45.40 to cover some of your other increased monthly costs. So, on an annual basis, after paying more for Medicare and donating to Jim you will have about $550 more per year.
Not to mention I have always felt inflation is understated.
I keep warning everyone- watch out for IRMAA! It likely won’t affect married couples, but when one passes, watch out!
FWIW,I delayed my SS until age 70 because SS is better than any annuity I could purchase. It is the only annuity that adjusts for inflation and it is based on older mortality costs that insurance companies have since updated. It is also backed by US government and considered safer than any insurance company.
And the complaints about the cost of Medicare. Many folks have no idea how much heath insurance costs that is not subsidized by employers, unions or governments. After being self employed for 35 years, I couldn’t wait until I qualified for Medicare. The cost is nothing compared to what my under 65 year old wife pays .
The downside is it is paid by our kids.
What is interesting to me is that on the threads about kids having their student loans forgiven (the same ones who are paying for my SS) most are angry that the government is giving away money. But on the SS threads, the sense is most are angry the government is not giving away more money.
Well, we are told there is none or very little inflation at the grocery store at least. That prices are going down. I don’t know where Melania shops but I’d like to know if she is telling the Donald that prices are going down.
They know they can tell us these things because we have no other real way of knowing.
I also have news for the Donald, oil prices can’t go much lower and still encourage development. We are not at rock bottom in actual dollars but in inflation adjusted dollars we are there or at least close.
You’re right, oil prices adjusted for inflation are roughly flat since 1980. Add that vehicles today get 2 or 3 times better mileage than back then.
Grocery prices have risen well over 2.8%. Fuel has declined. Net net of all expenses I think people are spending more than 2.8% more per month
Agreed. Not only food prices, look at your utility bills.
Up at least 5% each year, some states they are up 10+% each year - yes, a lot.
My Medicare premium, plus my private insurance premium, are going to eat that 2.8% up, and then some….
WHY did their premiums go up so drastically? There were 6 of us out of about 50 that were high risk. My employers were great people, but I’m sure they were glad to see me go due to the high insurance premiums..
Only 2.8%????? Come on man, it should be more like 15-20%!
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