In 2013, AMAC—The Association of Mature American Citizens—took a big step with the creation of the AMAC Foundation, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entity designed to serve Americans. The Foundation’s mission is to help protect and ensure the financial security, health, and social lives of current and future mature Americans, and to help Americans navigate the bewildering array of decisions they need to make.
The Foundation’s projects and plans include providing factual information that improves understanding of the positive value of Social Security and Medicare and the current and long-term challenges these programs face, as well as providing interpretations by Certified Social Security Advisors through AMAC publications, workshops, webinars, podcasts, and telephone support.
In addition, the Foundation serves all Americans in a variety of capacities, including provision of a source of education on the principles of American Free Enterprise, long-term retirement financial planning, and preparing for life—and potential employment—after retirement.
We invite you to learn more about the Foundation and its operations at www.AmacFoundation.org
Pingback: 2016 Social Security Benefit Payments | Try new and inovative ideas for Disability Benefits
I live in a senior manufactured home community in Florida where you own the home but pay lot rent to the park. I purchased mine in January 2007 and in the 10 years I have owned it the lot rent has increased $247/mo. in increments over that period. My SS certainly did not increase even 1/3 of that figure over the same period. I am at a loss as to how these senior communities can continue to raise the lot rent each year when there is no COLA on our SS benefit – there should be legislation passed to protect us and force them to only increase what the COLA is each year – we could all live with that. Most of us eek out an existence on what we receive from SS, not because of bad choices in not making investments over the years but in never having the wherewithall to accumulate any substantial savings during our workaday lives.
Don’t just get mad
I receive SSDI and while we received no increase this past year, it was the second or third time since I began collecting SSDI in 2010 that I saw no increase. And I’m now facing 2017 with the probability of a 0.2 increase? What does that look like in dollars? $1 a month increase? Are we going to be hurt, yet again, with no real increase to cover our life expenses as everything around us goes up in price?
My rent has gone up three times since I started collecting SSDI and is expected to rise again soon. Food costs went up. Medicine prices went up (and I’m very, very fortunate to receive the governments “special help” but they still went up), every food item I buy increased in price. Every single thing I buy has gone up in price.
Social Security is slowly leaving us to die in many cases… not allowing for life-saving increases is immoral and this is what our country is eroding into… An immoral, unjust collection of those in politics and administrations who make decisions for others while not comprehending the emergency situation before the most vulnerable of citizens of the United States.
Yes, we are an embarrassment around the entire globe… survival of the fittest is the mantra here in America it seems…
they need to open up the euthanasia clinics for all chronic illnesses. I suffer hard core everyday due to my disability. There is no cure and Im only 41. I am terrorized constantly about my future if I will have a home and be able to keep my healthcare.. I would ABSOLUTELY choose to die with dignity at one of the new euthanasia clinics if they’d let me.. I know there are many chronically sick people like me that are begging for death in their hearts and in their soul. They can give my SSDI benefits to the dear ones who really need it and who still have possibilities to feel better.
Debrah is so right as many of the other posters are. Cost of living continues to increase and SS recipients continue to suffer each year with dismal increases if any. Unfortunately, I see no clear cut solution to all of this. Voting out current politicians? How? The new electees no matter how honest they sound before voted into office, will eventually become like their predecessors and become just as corrupt! I speak from years of voting experience. My wife and I have scaled down as much as we can while watching our expenses. Luckily, we are making it but I worry about our future years and our grandchildren as they mature and raise families of their own. We the middle class are losing out. My grandmother was right…..”them that has, gets!”
we need a raise in social secuity bennefits every thing else keeps going up also with the raiseing cost of health care every year maybe this dam government and presdent need to look at socal medicine or urviersity health care for every one do they ever look at that no do something in this state in congoress about the health care rising cost that people some day wont be able to afford there cost
I’m sure our current President did whatever he could, but many don’t realize what Congress has done with so many of his proposals. It’s Congress, not our President Obama who is at fault! Some vote for those who we think will protect us. Others vote for those who they think will protect their money!
They said there was no cost of living increase because the price of gasoline went down. Unfortunately, we can’t eat gasoline, and everything else has gone up. So if the COLA is down, why did President Obama and all of the other living Presidents, get an 18% COLA increase this year? It’s almost impossible to live on Social Security alone. We are the ones who need an 18% increase.
How about basing the cost of living raise on everything included our insurance premiums which go up drastically every year. We have to pay premiums for Medicare, a supplement plan and a drug plan and still have to pay a co payment on the drugs we need. How can the politicians live with their selves knowing that us seniors are struggling to survive while they keep giving them selves fat raises each year, while we get nothing. Same on them.
We agree that the current method of determining if a COLA increase will be granted is unfair to seniors. Unfortunately, by law, the CPI-W – Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earner & Clerical Workers – is the factor used to calculate whether a COLA is granted. We believe the CPI-W doesn’t accurate represent a consumer price index for seniors and have asked that a more senior-friendly index be used. However, that will require Congressional action which it is doubtful will occur any time this year, and certainly not in time to affect a 2016 COLA. AMAC is actively supporting and calling for Congressional action on H.R. 4140, The Seniors Act, which will grant a retroactive 1% increase on Social Security benefits. However, probability of passage of that bill by Congress is also uncertain.
What is a 1% retroactive raise going to accomplish? Sure it’s better than nothing, but also very close to nothing to begin with!
I live in a city without rent control… does that tell you anything?
A 1% increase is a slap in the face. I want an 18% increase like all of our current living Presidents got. Why don’t they have to follow the COLA guidelines? We haven’t had an increase for 3 of the 7 years Obama has been in office. This has never happened before. No one seems to care whether Seniors starve to death or not.
The cpi-e index is the index that should have always been used,its more accurate,and i read it everywhere. But gov over spend so much,we couldnt buy new f35fleet at 50bil ea,and they ordered 4000plus of them! Wow-keep my lousy increase for 2017,honestly i dont want it. My ssi and ssdi fix? Increase ssi payrol tax to8-9.5%and there will be surplus ,,also,all the money goes in and out of one account no more ssi seperate ssdi fund. Games over its broke stop then. I bet every working tax payer would pay 8-9% ,because the issue would be fixed. All the gov does every issue is keeps putting band aid in broken leg. They areall crooked to a degree,and self serving. Oh,n no more congress and senate self raises of 1500$ per month. Who gets paid like that?politicians dont operate in reality.
Everyone complains but come November, they will vote for the same bunch. They will vote along party lines and nothing will change because they will believe what is being said.
This is an embarrassment to this country to treat those who worked hard all their lives and didn’t complain and worked hard. Meanwhile our gov is paying 67,000 dollars a person to bring in Syrian refugees, not to mention the billions spent on illegal aliens.
Lets get real on SS. Senator Warren introduced a Senate bill (circa) Oct 2015 to allow for a one-time emergency payment .(2016) for we Seniors equaling a meager increase. Where did her bill go? Died on the Senate floor. Why? No support?
We Seniors and our Veterans (Of which I’m a member) Should be outraged that it seems 2017 is going to be another Zero, Nada , Zip for an increase.
Senator’s and House Reps get their pay increases automatically without us knowing about it until its “Post Facto”. Why? Because they can!
Also, we should be knocking down the doors of the Senate and House members for no support. Lets not forget our Lobbyist’s as well.
Finally, our COLA raises are improperly indexed to Gas Prices. What?
PS,
I agree with PB. The next COLA should be at a minimum of 3%!!!!!
We need leaders in government that will clean up the government waste and put a stop to all of the help and and big spending of the White House . We never used to have all the travel and as much waste as we have now. What happened to the slogan ( govern for the people) No ! It’s fatten the leaders pockets while the rest of us become poorer. I don’t understand how congress can get raises with the kind of money they already make and denie us on social security no raise when the cost of living has risen at such a high rate.
We all need to open our windows and hollar “we, as “formers hard working AMERICANS” refuse to take this anymore!
The so-called “Washington HONCHO” who continue to line their pockets don’t care about us @ all. OH! yes, Change was thrown at us, if we remember Obama’s campaign for President. US Veterans are waiting in line for medical help, unfortunately, some commit suicide and others just dwindle away. They feel there is no hope for them & their families.
For instance, look at VietNam: Was there a parade for these war heroes? Its disgusting but yet this administration is allowing 10,000 Syrian refuges to enter, just walk in & reap the rewards that our country offers, leaving those of us who ancesters came through Ellis Island.
Are you all ready to SCREAM? I am. GOD BLESS AMERICA, um?
I agree with Ms. Jones, I remember talking to my Father-in-Law in 1975 when inflation was going crazy and COLA’s were going to go into effect. My Father-in-law wasn’t sure that would work, and I said to him “Maybe the Government will do something about inflation when COLA’s become law”.
He looked at me and laughed, well since then inflation has come down, and in some cases is non-existent, so in my opinion the Government doesn’t like or want to pay COLA’s so this is just the tip of the iceberg, no COLA’s in 2016, and 2017 is questionable, if the Government says inflation is staying down for 2017, even if it isn’t, you can expect COLA’s to go away, and to be a thing of the past.
After all US Taxpayers have to make sure that the President has enough of money to pay for his golf vacations.
I don’t wish to drone on or take too much word space. But, its time to stop talking and get our Rep’s, Senators, AARP and our Lobbyists to get off their duffs and do something. I’ve sent emails to Senator Warren, Senator Bill Nelson and Charlie Rose and Zip for a response. By the way we need to change Reps to six and done (staggered) stop elections every two years. Change Senator’s to six and done (staggered). I’m fed up with paying for poor performance which allow public servants to build their retirement nests and havens off our backs and pockets.
End of my colloquy from my “bully pulpit” with the public domain.
Ditto on the flawed use of gasoline prices as part of the COLA formula. I doubt if most retired people use gasoline anywhere near the rate that the ‘working class’ folks (who’s data drives the formula). I average 4,000 miles per year, so why should lower gas prices impact me?
Folks, we go to the polls to elect those who will do US the most good. THINK, we CAN and SHOULD FIRE those who have proven they would do us harm in some way. We paid SS in advance, NO ONE has a right to touch our savings. FIRE those who are messing over us at the up-coming election PLEASE, THINK, PLEASE!
I don’t got nohow. I don’t support man. I vote for 1 government that will eventually rid the ones who’s greedy stealing and messing this world up. Gods heavenly government
My husband and I are both 65 and depend on social security. Since going on Medicare this year our health premiums are $300.oo more per month (for basic coverage) We have both worked and contributed to social security since we were 15 years old. I see benefits for single non working mothers who continue to have children and pay NO health insurance. I also see many benefits to immigrants. I am not saying they do not need help but shouldn’t the US take care of their seniors first and foremost.
I recently read about a point two percent increase. This is a slap in the face. Our living costs continue to rise. We need, at the bare minimum, a three percent increase. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR SENIORS.
I should also add that my husband was laid off when he turned 60 so we were forced to retire 5 years earlier than planned.
AGREED ABOUT THE GREED!
I have been trying to find out what the COLA will be for 2017…Seems like know one knows… SS states it is based on gas prices..and the economy.. Whats the price of gas have to do with it…..I drive maybe 3000 mile a year… Well, here in Deep Run,NC the economy is very bad..Folks are loosing their jobs,homes,,and autos..All prices are going up every day… 0% COLA for 2016… I’m on step above homeless……May be better off,,,then our GOVT.would take care of me..Dang,,what a thought.. Ol,,I wouldn”t even have to think,our Govt. would do that foe me also…OL HAPPY DAY
The most recent COLA numbers we’ve seen make it doubtful that there will be an increase for 2017. In responding to a previous question on this issue, we noted that under current law, the Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to determine inflationary adjustments to Social Security recipients’ monthly benefits. When the cost-of-living (COLA) process for automatic adjustments was enacted in 1972, this was the only index provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), and it has remained in use since that time. Transportation is the second-largest of the eight components included in the CPI-W calculation; therefore, major changes (plus or minus) in this component tend to have a major impact on the ultimate COLA. In times of rapidly rising fuel prices, as in the 1970s and 1980s, this resulted in a higher COLA. Now, the reverse is happening. Food and beverages, as well as medical costs, are weighted less than transportation and housing, so their increases are overshadowed by the drop in gasoline prices.
AMAC has taken the position that this is a flawed approach, in that it “is based on young, urban workers and doesn’t take into account expenses that disproportionately impact seniors, such as rising healthcare costs.” We have called for a simple, one-time, one-percent COLA for all older Americans this year – many of whom served in the military, paid a lifetime into the Social Security system and deserve enough benefits from those services to pay for their groceries, rents, and medicine. As the driving force behind H.R. 4140, the Saving the Earnings and Noting the Investment of Our Retired Seniors Act of 2015, we are strongly advocating remedial adjustment to offset the zero COLA this year.
Beyond that, AMAC has long been in the forefront of the fight to preserve the solvency of Social Security for future generations, and has advanced a legislative framework that would achieve this solvency for future generations. Included as a guiding principle in our actuarially-verified proposal is that all beneficiaries would always be guaranteed a minimum COLA, with lower income beneficiaries receiving higher COLAs. This framework—“The AMAC Social Security Guarantee”—is covered in a recent publication by our non-profit Foundation. Titled “Who’s Who in Social Security,” this booklet is designed as a reference work for lawmakers and government officials as well as those in the media who cover the topic, and includes the highlights of several proposals for addressing the Social Security solvency issue. You can download or review this “Who’s Who” document via the Foundation’s website (www.AmacFoundation.com).
Gerry Hafer, Certified Social Security Advisor (NSSA)
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Hafer,
Ditto on your AMAC comments. However, its getting late in the game of “Protecting Seniors”. Here we are almost Sep 2016 and the next COLA or Non-COLA is upon us. So, Mr. Hafer what has anyone done for we Seniors regarding a minimum 3% increase per annum. Index it correctly not the arcane way is still done. Lets get out of the “Dark Ages”. We elders both (Military and SS Beneficiaries) expect much better treatment. We are tired of riding in the back of the bus when no one driving the bus has any clue where we are heading. We contributed, served and deserve our share of the American Pie.
As mentioned in my comment of 8/26, AMAC is actively advocating a framework for ensuring the future of Social Security (our “Social Security Guarantee” legislative framework). Our President, Dan Weber, is in Washington frequently meeting with Congressional representatives explaining our Social Security solution and pursuing support for it. Part of this framework is a guaranteed annual COLA ensuring that there is at least a minimum positive adjustment each year (a tiered approach: 3%-4% for income levels under $20,000; 1.5%-3% for incomes $20,000 to $50,000; 1%-2% for incomes over $50,000). Also as mentioned previously, we continue to actively advocate for H.R. 4140, although we recognize that the end of the year is rapidly approaching.
I don’t understand why the president Obama and AARP speak up for seniors. This is ridiculos.when others had the ball in their hands we had a one time stimulus or a raise .
Seniors cannot survive without a raise. I was employed for 36 years, my medication is so expensive, the nutritional I needs , I cannot afford. Maybe we should come to Washinton in our wheelchairs, walkers, canes etc.to protest. This is unbelievable for Seniors, most of us have worked all of our lives who contributed to the system, and cannot feed ourselves, And are not eligible for food stamps etc. How can you sleep at night? You’re taking care of all the peopl in other countries, while your own Seniors are starving. My lifes work was taking care of the sick and informed. THESE PEOPLE ARE SOMEONES’S MOM’ & DAD’S etc. ” You can’t understand, ” BECAUSE YOU’RE RICH” !!!!!!!!
Went to the dog park with my dog test. Friend said effective ?? Probably 2017 no chemo for cancer patients over 76. Firm policy no exceptions, asked about radiation, she said dunno, prob not. Going to release this after the election. Her friend works for Medicare.
Hi Joyce,
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this is an urban myth which started during the preliminary deliberations on the Affordable Care Act. (see http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/kithil.asp). This was not included in the final passed version of the bill (H.B. 3590).
Can someone explain to me why the test of inflation is based on energy? Our electric and gas bills take huge rises every year and what about our food and drug costs that rise by unacceptable numbers. I go to a store one week and pay $2.50 for something and the next week it’s $2.99.
Elaine:
Thank you for your question. Under current law, the Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to determine inflationary adjustments to Social Security recipients’ monthly benefits. When the cost-of-living (COLA) process for automatic adjustments was enacted in 1972, this was the only index provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), and it has remained in use since that time. Transportation is the second-largest of the eight components included in the CPI-W calculation; therefore, major changes (plus or minus) in this component tend to have a major impact on the ultimate COLA. In times of rapidly rising fuel prices, as in the 1970s and 1980s, this resulted in a higher COLA. Now, the reverse is happening. Food and beverages, as well as medical costs, are weighted less than transportation and housing, so their increases are overshadowed by the drop in gasoline prices.
AMAC has taken the position that this is a flawed approach, in that it “is based on young, urban workers and doesn’t take into account expenses that disproportionately impact seniors, such as rising healthcare costs.” We have called for a simple, one-time, one-percent COLA for all older Americans this year – many of whom served in the military, paid a lifetime into the Social Security system and deserve enough benefits from those services to pay for their groceries, rents, and medicine. As the driving force behind H.R. 4140, the Saving the Earnings and Noting the Investment of Our Retired Seniors Act of 2015, we are strongly advocating remedial adjustment to offset the zero COLA this year.
Beyond that, AMAC has long been in the forefront of the fight to preserve the solvency of Social Security for future generations, and has advanced a legislative framework that would achieve this solvency for future generations. Included as a guiding principle in our actuarially-verified proposal is that all beneficiaries would always be guaranteed a minimum COLA, with lower income beneficiaries receiving higher COLAs. This framework—“The AMAC Social Security Guarantee”—is covered in a recent publication by our non-profit Foundation. Titled “Who’s Who in Social Security,” this booklet is designed as a reference work for lawmakers and government officials as well as those in the media who cover the topic, and includes the highlights of several proposals for addressing the Social Security solvency issue. You can download or review this “Who’s Who” document via the Foundation’s website (www.AmacFoundation.com).
Gerry Hafer, Certified Social Security Advisor (NSSA)
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
Don’t you realize that congress owns or has stick in electric company, oil, and other things Americans depend on for survival. Of course it’s not in their best interest to lower the costs, or they’d loose money and those million dollar mansions they live in and the jaguars they drive. I hate to say it but what goes up must come down, meaning the stock market, apparently mines learned a damn thing from the 1920’s-30’s crash. When that happens none will have anything. There will be riots all across the United States and looting. Yes congress needs to keep their hands out of the cookie jar, meaning social security. I personally think that if congress takes from social security then they should personally replace the money with their own. I bet you if that were the case they wouldn’t borrow from social security anymore. But seriously, look up how our governments economy and politics really work I saw a great YouTube on the United States economy and politics. I learned a lot more than I thought
We should get a increase for 2017. For SSI AND SOCIAL Security payments
The USA was once a proud nation for all of us. Now it becomes a society where the rich exploit the poor and middle class in every economic area. The super rich get elected and make laws to protect the upper elite class. Social security has been drained by Congress to fund other projects. The political arena has become very corrupt and should not be controlled by long term politicians. Americans should take a close look at the elected officials and support new candidates with Conservative values. Social security for retirees should be top priority, but has fallen to the bottom by long term politicians. Many seniors live near the poverty line. There should a term limit for all members of Congress similar to the eight year term limit for the President. Please evaluate platforms and support candidates on local and national levels that will preserve our Social Security and the right to receive it. Put America and seniors first.
The Consevatives actually want to decrease or eliminate Social Security. They deem it a handout, not a right to get the S.S. beniefits.
I would like to participate in or with a group of Ss recepients to work together for better representation is there an organised group like that?
The Obama administration nearing the end means cuts on social security with no cost of living raise for 2016 and revising it in may 2016.
Just were is AARP no were to be herd of they are a fraud they just want your dues so they can sell your name to everyone that wants to scam the seniors out of something.They tell us that they are our voice in washington thats a lot of bull.If you want to have a revolution then start with them cancel them out of our lives I sure did.
I have never trusted AARP. Everything they try to push on seniors is over priced. Why in this country do we not have the ability to get hearing aids and eye glasses cheaper. Those are definitely senior needs but if you can’t hear you can’t afford the prices of aids. Even batteries are expensive.
I disagree with a poster who is complaining about AARP. It has saved me a lot of money at restaurants, motels, and air fare.
This conversation is a waste of our breath.
All it adds up to is crying the blues to each other because I’m Sure they don’t hear us or even care to hear it us.
Things Will stay the way they are unless we could do what some one else stated above and that is every one of us pulling together and go there if need be to DC and scream at therm to stop starving that seniors of America make them hear us.
Yes. We need to organise. We are not being paid attention to. I’m ready to go to DC. Can we organise?
I believe Washington looks at old people on SS as a burden on their spending spree. Once you start collecting and stop paying in you are worthless to the system in their eyes.
I don’t care how they perceive us but Social Security is not welfare. If we are such a burden I will take mine in a lump sum and I would be out of their hair. I wasn’t a burden to them when I started paying for my Social Security at a very young age. Another thing I don’t like is that my family can’t get the money left over when I die.
You people do realize that this website is a conservative front for the dismantleing of Social Security. If they had their way you wouldn’t get it at all. Don’t believe me? Check it out, Google it, do your homework. They are a shill.
I have said this before and i will contintute to said this, I have been receiving SSDI since 2009 because of ESRD, and i remember a converstion i had with a soical service worker, and he was quit frank with me since i have know him from the old neigh, e said and i quot, ” Once we are no longer useful , The goal is to kill us off ,” So i think what better way to get rid off , people like us is to strave us to death and squeez us out of medical ,real medical treatments and just let us die
I am always amazed when someone says the government wants to do away with social security. If that were the case, please tell me what excuse they would have to keep taking 8percent of your check plus with the like amount your employer also has to contribute to your ss account The government just took several million dollars from ss recipients to pay for Obama care. Do you think they’re going to shut a cash cow like that down.
Become a politician….then you join the club with a license to steal.
Don’t worry everyone. They have already decided on 11/26/2015 that the COLA will increase by 3.1% by 2017.
Not because to help the retirees, oh no. But Medicare will go up to $124.00 and this will not be happening without an increase in Social Security.
After 2017 Medicare will go up between 2018 and 2024 each year 5.4%. Again there will be an increase in SS to make this happen.
Yes, you read right, it has nothing to do with cost of living adjustments or prices of gas or other costs. This government is so corrupt it is almost laughable. The government is stealing from their seniors. Someone wrote on this website that a Revolution would help. I agree, but not a political revolution, it has to be an economical revolution,
meaning the banks have to be nationalized.
ah you read the Forbes article as well. I wonder, that and the motley fool article paint 2 different pictures, wonder which one is correct? Sure am hoping the Forbes one is!
Not gonna happen as long as religious Conservatives control this country. In fact, they want Social Security GONE!
HAHAHA NEITHER RELIGIOUS OR CONSERVATIVES HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM HASNT A DEMOCRAT BEEN PRESIDENT NOW FOR THE PAST 8 YRS (SOON TO BE) THREE YEARS NOW NO COST OF LIVING INCREASE. WAKE UP SIR. PERSONALLY AS FAR AS POLITICIANS GO THEY ARE ALL FILTHY AND CIRRUPT, WE ARE ALL BLESSED YES BLESSED THTA WE EVEN HAVE WHAT LITTLE WE HAVE. EVENTHOUGH WE PUT YEARS OF SERVICE IN AND TONS OF MONEY OUT OF EVERY PAY CHECK WE EARNED! THIS IS WHAT IS SAD. ALSO, RELIGIOUS PEOPLE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. GET EDUCATED SIR BEFORE YOU SHOW YOUR IGNORANCE! THANK YOU.
Shirley…heard you loud and clear, but you have your story a little confused. You are the one who needs t get educated…before you speak
Obama is asking for 18 per cent increase for retired presidents maybe seniors could get something
Count me in for the REVOLUTION ,,,,,, I am ready …..
Lets do it; my Glock Pistol and Colt M4 Carbine are ready…………
Vietnam Combat Veteran 69-70
So we can spend billions & billions & billions & billions & billions …. On our military EMPIRE when our neighbors to the north & south spend nothing!! Our roads are crumbling etc.
Our seniors don’t count. Most on fixed incomes & can hardly afford the american experience.
I hope there is a COLA in 2017. At the very least they should pay us back for the years we did not get an increase. Looking at the chart of increases through the years there has never been a 0 increase until this current administration.
1984 & 1986 – 0%
Talk is there will be no COLA increase AGAIN… for 2017. The cost of gas has dropped, however, like most seniors, I do such little driving that the gas price drop amounts to practically nothing for most seniors on social security.
WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT GIVING US IN DESPERATE NEED OF MORE MONEY JUST TO KEEP ALIVE ARE WELL AWARE OF OUR TOTAL, UNAFORDABLE COST OF LIVING FINANCIAL SITUATION.
There has been PRICE INCREASES IN EVERYTHING. ESPECIALLY FOOD, PRESCRIBED DRUGS AND UTILITIES. Affordable recreation is a thing of the past.
Perhaps it is time for a REVOLUTION against D.C. A 10 million person march to Washington D.C. and the fire-ing of all our senators and congressmen and our president to get things started and guarantee us a descent COLA increase in 2017.
Anyone else around to help me get this REVOLUTION started?
So gas is down but food prices go up, cost to have cable goes up, water bills go up, clothing goes up, cost of medical drugs go up, insurances go up. I save $20.00 a month on gas which is $240.00 a year, but spend an average of $40.00 a month more on the others. How is this equal to the senior people. Washington should get there heads out of the sand and look what is happening.
I totally agree.
This is because of the Democrat pledge to increase taxes on the wealthy. Wealthy people did not get that way by being stupid; they pass on any increase that they are saddled with to the lower income public. And we keep praising the Democrats for taking from the rich. Leave the rich folks alone. They help more when they aren’t burdened with more taxes.
How can a rich person be burdened? They have plenty!
Social Security is a Law put into effect in 1935 by Congress. It would take a 3/4th Vote and Amendment to properly and legally abolish it. So take heart people. People paid into Social Security thru decades with long time hard-earned work and sacrifice of more Steaks,vacations,less of other luxuries. It is a beforehand agreement and Contract between 2 people the employee and Government. Thus it would be stealing if ever decent money to live on is not given back to Social Security recipient. So far the majority of Republicans have not closed out Social Security though. Nor Democrats. Let’s wait and see. Eva Hart
..and don’t forget that Medicare DEDUCTIBLES increase about every year, whether there’s COLA adjustment or not. This means more $ out of our pockets to pay for health care.
My husband and myself paid into the system all our lives. We are 69 years old and both have serious medical problems. Please understand that the congress has already decided to kill the elderly because they stole our money that we paid into the system all our working years, so it’s time for us to die, we are useless according to the government , so are the veterans who died defending our country, the poor because they have no money, the disabled because they can’t work anymore. This is now a third world country. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. No matter what we say they have already decided it time to kill us.
I would not say to much about a revolution on the internet for the government keep track of this they know who you are.It”S not right what they are doing to us.Paul Ryan is behind all of this that puppet for the rich is doing all he can to destroy the American way of life.First thing we have to get Paul Ryan out of Washington all together,We need to vote for young people in congress for they have better values.Dot worry about who is going to be president worry about who we put back into congress for they are the American problem.The leader of this country can do nothing if they don’t vote with him nothing at all.The president is nothing it” the board members that run this country so WISE UP STOP COMPLAINING DO SOMETHING.I WILL SEE YOU AT THE POLES I AM GOING TO VOTE OUT EVER ONE.I AM NOT IN ANY WAY GOING TO VOTE FOR FEINGOLD THAT IS FOR SURE.
I agree with James. Congress is the problem. Let’s focus on cleaning those branches up! Get informed. Go to the polls and vote!
so why bother to vote, as the electoral college, not us, make the decision, and we waste our time and thnk we make a differenceWHAT A JOKE
We need to vote every member of congress out and electe middle class working people who really know what we seniors go thru. To protect the elderly, disabled, sick and poor. To give us our money back and quit stealing especially from the seniors .