[napscoordinator]

Didn’t you guys just get 1.7 percent in January? How ya doing Sacajaweau? Hope you have a great weekend! It is FINALLY feeling like Spring here in Annapolis. Thank goodness.

[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.