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Updated: Friday July 16, 2010

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Medicare - SeniorArk Main Page             Social Security - SeniorArk Main Page

Go to: The Medicare Part D Start Page

Page updated July 16, 2010

NOTE: Democrats have proposed a one-time payment of $250 to Seniors for 2010, and it has not passed, mostly because of blocking measures from the other party. See the article on our HOME page for details, and what you can do about it.

 

                            On this page you will find:

-Comment on 2011 COLA*

-2010 Social Security COLA *

-2009 Social Security COLA *

-2010 Medicare "B" Premium *

 

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Welcome to SeniorArk! Thousands of you are finding this page while searching for COLA and Part B information.

After reviewing those items, please take a couple minutes to have a look around our site. We are a SENIOR resource site like nothing you have ever seen. 

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Can you guess what the average Senior receives monthly in Social Security benefits? Click for Answer

 

 

  *2011 Social Security COLA

(Read: Explanation of exactly how the COLA is figured)

July 16, 2010 - We are now in the critical period when the COLA for 2011 is determined. The CPI-W for July, August, and September of 2010 will be compared to the CPI-W for July, August and September of 2009 to determine whether there will be an adjustment for 2011. How this is done, has been determined by law for many years.

 

 

 

 *2010 Social Security COLA (no cost of living adjustment)

      (Read: Explanation of exactly how the COLA is figured)

 

October 15, 2009,  (September CPI-W)
 

On a seasonably adjusted basis, there was a net decrease in the CPI-W July-September 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. This means there will be no change in the Social Security payments in 2010. Even so, some Seniors' checks could be affected.  How will this affect my check?

Recent press releases from the Social Security Administration web site.

 

NOTE: Democrats have proposed a one-time payment of $250 to Seniors for 2010, and it has not passed, mostly because of blocking measures from the other party. See the article on our HOME page for details, and what you can do about it.

 

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This section shows what happened for 2009

* 2009 Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment)

      (Read: Explanation of exactly how the COLA is figured)

 

October 16, 2008,  (September CPI-W)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-W decreased 0.1 percent (1/10 of one percent) in September, following a 0.9 percent increase in July, and a .2 decrease in August.

The final CPI-W increase from the 3rd quarter of 2007 to the 3rd quarter of 2008 is 5.8%, on a seasonally adjusted basis. This is the number that has now been used to announce the 2009 Social Security COLA. How will this affect my check?

 

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Despite a small increase, at least five million people aged 65 and over will remain in poverty, since senior costs are rising significantly faster than the annual Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

 

         See: What is the CPI, how is it figured, and why the heck do I care??

 and: Does the CPI reflect what Seniors must actually spend?

 and: Explanation of exactly how the 2009 COLA was figured

 and: He supports fair Social Security 

        Increases to Reflect Seniors' Higher Costs of Living

 

 and: A simple explanation of inflation and CPI

 

SeniorArk.com

"Seniors helping Seniors meet the challenges in retirement"

 

 

 

 

 

   *Medicare Part "B" Premium: No increase for 2010,      

       ----and probably none for 2011

     

Updated July 16, 2010   The standard monthly premium for Medicare will not increase in 2010, the federal government has announced.

Premiums for Part B coverage, which pays for physician and outpatient care, some home health services and medical equipment, will remain $96.40 a month for the third year in a row, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said. Medicare insures the nation's elderly and disabled.

This premium cannot increase for most Seniors, by law, if there is no increase in the COLA.

The standard rate applies to individuals with income below $85,000 a year.

For those earning over $85,000 per year ($170,000 for couples) there may be an increase based on increasing costs. See medicare.gov site for more details.

 

The 2009 Part B monthly premium rates to be paid by beneficiaries who file an individual tax return (including those who are single, head of household, qualifying widow[er] with dependent child, or married filing separately who lived apart from their spouse for the entire taxable year), or who file a joint tax return are: 

Beneficiaries who file an individual tax return with income: Beneficiaries who file a joint tax return with income:

Income-related monthly adjustment amount

Total monthly premium amount

Less than  or equal to $85,000 Less than or equal to $170,000

$0.00

$96.40

Greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $107,000 Greater than $170,000 and less than or equal to $214,000

$38.50

$134.90

Greater than $107,000 and less than or equal to $160,000 Greater than $214,000 and less than or equal to $320,000

$96.30

$192.70

Greater than $160,000 and less than or equal to $213,000 Greater than $320,000 and less than or equal to $426,000

$154.10

$250.50

Greater than $213,000 Greater than $426,000

$211.90

$308.30

 In addition, the monthly premium rates to be paid by beneficiaries who are married, but file a separate return from their spouse and lived with their spouse at any time during the taxable year are: 

Beneficiaries who are married but file a separate tax return from their spouse:

Income-related monthly adjustment amount

Total monthly premium amount

Less than or equal to $85,000

$0.00

$96.40

Greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $128,000

$154.10

$250.50

Greater than $128,000

$211.90

$308.30

 

 

 

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