Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Bread and Circuses

(1,362 posts)
10. SS COLA and Medicare Part B
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 09:15 PM
Oct 31

https://socialsecurityworks.org/health-care-costs-are-devouring-social-securitys-cost-of-living-increase/


Washington, DC) — The following is a statement from Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works, on Social Security’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which will be 2.8 percent:
“Social Security’s automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment is intended to ensure that benefits don’t erode over time. It is one of the key reasons Social Security is superior to private sector alternatives.
However, the current COLA measure is inadequate to fully cover rising costs, especially health care costs. That’s especially true this year. Medicare Part B premiums are projected to rise by about 11.6 percent, around twice as large an increase as last year. For the average beneficiary, this will consume almost half of their COLA increase. For some beneficiaries, it will consume their entire COLA increase — even as the costs of other necessities balloon due to the Trump tariffs.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I received a letter that ...»Reply #10