Social Security Retirement & Disability COLA 2025

[demarpaint]

I posted a screen shot, Part G high deductible for a town in Nassau County, however that is just for that town.
https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-su.../plans?fips=36059&zip=11793&year=2026&lang=en

$68 to $109 per month in a Nassau County zip code but keep in mind you get nothing until you pay a $2,800 deductible.

I would talk to other agents. or check yourself, "Find Plans". https://www.medicare.gov/

Honestly though, Im not saying your agent is wrong and I am not an agent, I mean this is REALLY simple stuff. The policies available are right on the Medicare website for every zip code in the USA. Clearly if she says the HMOs there suck that to me presents a negative thought about her only because she is not saying why AND does she actually think an out of pocket $14,000 per person is good?

I trust her, and the HMOs here do suck. I have a friend who has been a doctor's office manager for over 20 years, she knows all the insurance ins outs and agreed with my agent that the HMOs suck. I had HMO plans here on and off for over 40 years, they were fine until you get sick and want a good doctor that is not in the HMO plan. As I said I have to do more homework regarding the supplemental plans. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Rmay635703]

My 2026 Medicare Advantage Plan has raised substantially Doctor visits and Specialist Co-pays. Also out of pocket maximums have been raised. But hey-still get a free gym membership and my wife and I each get $60.00 ea/grocery benefits through Kroger. If there is anything better out there my guy that specializes only in this type of insurance he will let me know.

My moms plan was cancelled, and in looking for others most aren’t great

 

[alarmguy]

I must not be typical. My wife and I each pay $512 for Part B. And I still pay normal Medicare on my wages.

Correct, here is the scale, based on your post you are still working?

Below .gov site

 

[alarmguy]

I trust her, and the HMOs here do suck. I have a friend who has been a doctor's office manager for over 20 years, she knows all the insurance ins outs and agreed with my agent that the HMOs suck. I had HMO plans here on and off for over 40 years, they were fine until you get sick and want a good doctor that is not in the HMO plan. As I said I have to do more homework regarding the supplemental plans. Thanks for the feedback.

I cant agree, it's like commenting on a EV but never drove one However all states can be different but without checking you have to agree that is kind of a baseless statement/hearsy. Good news is you have the option to pay more and you are I guess. I mean, it's simple as anything to check all the hospitals and doctors in the network right on your computer. Same with who is a good doctor.
Im not disagreeing with you, after all you live on Long Island but without facts I cant agree. The only thing I would not settle for is if you need to get a referral. It's not required in the plans I choose. Heck, I just spent a year battling cancer. All the plans would have covered all the places I have been that my Medigap took care of, including Duke Cancer center.... (again, I know things are crazy up there though)
Actually not one medical network left out. I have been in a number of them, possibly all on the coast here in the last 14 months. I actually started in Sept 2024 with an Aetna HMO, They paid all the scans and Duke Cancer Clinic, another Cancer Clinic in Wilmington and the latest PSMA Pet Scan. However in Jan 2025 since Aetna wasnt offering that plan anymore and I knew I have cancer, I went into Medigap N for the year at $144 a month. Sure, it was a good feeling knowing that with Medigap everything is in network. But now I am going back. With that said an HMO has networks and PPO's have Preferred providers, you generally can go outside them, you might have to pay more. What I am saying, in many areas, the HMOs and PPOs have the same networks, but with HMOs you jsut have to make sure (at least for me) that I dont need a referral from my primary to see one.

If you know HMOs then you know HIP on Long Island was one. I used to have it when I had a business in the city. My brother had it until less than 10 years ago. When he needed a Heart Operation he got a quadruple heart by-pass, you know, when they crack open your ribs, stop your heart, put you on a heart by-pass machine, take some veins out of your legs and stick in/ bypass the clogged ones on the heart?
Do you know, HIP paid for the procedure to be done at the renowned St. Francis Heart Hospital in Roslyn.

Honestly though I did not see any offerings up by you, but one rainy day I am going to look some up. I got good with this stuff. ALL the Insurance sites have place to check who is in their network. With that said, we are all different. To me, I will find a way in any system. I would be nuts for me personally to settle for a Max out of pocket $14,000 if I get sick in October, then come Jan still sick or get sick again and pay another $14,000 that year too. Odds of that happening are almost non existent. but ... anyway... ok, got a date with the wife on the waterfront. over and out!

 

[raaizin]

Folks, This is not intended to be "political" but an FYI that the increase was announced today. It is clear it's not a perfect system. However, retired & disabled Americans rely on these raises to help combat costs so please refrain from getting all down in the rabbit hole.
Thanks!

2.8%

https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colasummary.html

Is this the number they will use to decide IRMA thresholds in 2027

 

[fantastic]

No the higher amount will start being paid on the second Wed of Jan 2026 which is Jan 14th
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2026.pdf

The circle you see on the 31 is not Social Security as we are discussing. The 31 on the calendar is Supplemental Social Security. (SSI)
https://www.aarp.org/social-security/faq/what-is-ssi/

With all due respect you're incorrect. SSI or Supplemental Security Income is 100% part of the Social Security Administration. There are two programs that are operated here that I think you're getting confused about. SSI is for retired or disabled folks that never paid anything or enough into Social Security (SSA) during their working life.

The SSI program helps bring a basic federal minimum living payment to those individuals, children, retired or disabled, with little resources or income. However, BOTH payments are subject to the same COLA increases. As a result SSI recipients will also get a 2.8% COLA increase & it is definitely part of what we're discussing here. The SSI recipients will start to get paid WITH the COLA increases starting on December 31st, 2025.

How to qualify:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi

https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/amount
How much you can get with SSI:
The maximum monthly SSI payment for 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Your amount may be lower based on your income, certain family members’ income, your living situation, and other factors.

 

[CKN]

I trust her, and the HMOs here do suck. I have a friend who has been a doctor's office manager for over 20 years, she knows all the insurance ins outs and agreed with my agent that the HMOs suck. I had HMO plans here on and off for over 40 years, they were fine until you get sick and want a good doctor that is not in the HMO plan. As I said I have to do more homework regarding the supplemental plans. Thanks for the feedback.

Just had minor foot surgery on Wednesday morning. Took a small cyst out. Total Cost $800.00ish dollars. My responsibility is $275.00. This doesn't include Doctor. Pre approval of procedure done very quickly.

No referral needed for the Foot Doctor/surgeon. Belonged to the dominate medical group in Utah (Intermountain/Select Health). I found him on my own.

Three types of post op meds-Two bottles of painkillers-and one anti nausea. Total cost $6.00.

Just don't get the hate for Medicare Advantage Plans.

No monthly payment from me out of pocket for this coverage.

I understand this could be state dependent. But good Doctors do take Medicare Advantage Plans.
I had a standard Medicare Plan. Looked at things VERY CAREFULLY. I was paying all this money out of pocket each month for the same Doctors/Hospitals/Clinics covered under Advantage Plans.

Utah may be a little different-because of the dominate medical provide here-Intermountain HealthCare.

I think your friend could have a biased view based on payments received for their medical services-I will just let it go at that.

 

[fantastic]

Is this the number they will use to decide IRMA thresholds in 2027

Good question, That sounds like it uses a income based sliding fee scale. I would imagine that inflation may play a part in increasing those scales or income brackets. I did some quick reading in the link below but I don't know anything about it to be honest.

https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0601101020

 

[Donald]

I just think it's unfair that I still have to have Medicare taken out of my paycheck along with both wife and I paying a hefty IRMAA.

 

[CKN]

I just think it's unfair that I still have to have Medicare taken out of my paycheck along with both wife and I paying a hefty IRMAA.

You know when I was working-I was happy to pay more taxes-it usually meant I was making that much more money.

 

[demarpaint]

Just had minor foot surgery on Wednesday morning. Took a small cyst out. Total Cost $800.00ish dollars. My responsibility is $275.00. This doesn't include Doctor. Pre approval of procedure done very quickly.

No referral needed for the Foot Doctor/surgeon. Belonged to the dominate medical group in Utah (Intermountain/Select Health). I found him on my own.

Three types of post op meds-Two bottles of painkillers-and one anti nausea. Total cost $6.00.

Just don't get the hate for Medicare Advantage Plans.

No monthly payment from me out of pocket for this coverage.

I understand this could be state dependent. But good Doctors do take Medicare Advantage Plans.
I had a standard Medicare Plan. Looked at things VERY CAREFULLY. I was paying all this money out of pocket each month for the same Doctors/Hospitals/Clinics covered under Advantage Plans.

Utah may be a little different-because of the dominate medical provide here-Intermountain HealthCare.

I think your friend could have a biased view based on payments received for their medical services-I will just let it go at that.

There's no hate for Advantage plans here, and yes good doctors take Advantage Plans that's why I have one. All I've been saying is that that in 2026 in my area the plans are taking a big hit, and many companies are no longer offering advantage plans here. I have an advantage plan with Cigna and like it, it's gone in 2026. I had a root canal done, the cost ZERO $$, and no cost for the two cleanings and exams. Now we get two cleanings and exams, one set of X-Rays, I pay out of pocket for fillings, root canals, etc. OTC benefits of $90 a quarter, are gone. Two small examples of what was taken away, there's a lot more to list, including higher co-pays. Less for more. I would have gladly stayed with Cigna, it's not an option.

The HMO plans are not that good here, the PPO plans are better. I had HMO plans over the years and researched them here now. My findings are that a PPO plan is better for us. No disrespect intended, Utah and Long Island are two totally different areas and the costs on L.I. for health care or just about anything else are a lot higher here. It's not possible to make an accurate comparison of the two states, or plans offered in them. I have time to research supplemental plans, which is what I'm doing.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I just think it's unfair that I still have to have Medicare taken out of my paycheck along with both wife and I paying a hefty IRMAA.

There is nothing fair about Medicare or ss. The high earners pay for the low earners.

 

[Donald]

There's no hate for Advantage plans here, and yes good doctors take Advantage Plans that's why I have one. All I've been saying is that that in 2026 in my area the plans are taking a big hit, and many companies are no longer offering advantage plans here. I have an advantage plan with Cigna and like it, it's gone in 2026. I had a root canal done, the cost ZERO $$, and no cost for the two cleanings and exams. Now we get two cleanings and exams, one set of X-Rays, I pay out of pocket for fillings, root canals, etc. OTC benefits of $90 a quarter, are gone. Two small examples of what was taken away, there's a lot more to list, including higher co-pays. Less for more. I would have gladly stayed with Cigna, it's not an option.

The HMO plans are not that good here, the PPO plans are better. I had HMO plans over the years and researched them here now. My findings are that a PPO plan is better for us. No disrespect intended, Utah and Long Island are two totally different areas and the costs on L.I. for health care or just about anything else are a lot higher here. It's not possible to make an accurate comparison of the two states, or plans offered in them. I have time to research supplemental plans, which is what I'm doing.

My complaint about dental insurance is almost no dentists where I live are "in network". They want to be paid as I leave the office. They will send in the form but the check then goes to me .

Example - root canal dentist charges $1900. The dental insurance says the in network cost should be $900 and they pay 50% so I get a check back for $450. So I actually pay $1450 out of pocket.

A dentist from church (not my dentist) told me you would be lucky to find a first year dentist in dental school to do a root canal for $900..

 

[Donald]

You know when I was working-I was happy to pay more taxes-it usually meant I was making that much more money.

At least if I pay SS past FRA and have a higher salary (inflation adjusted) year than earlier in my career then higher salary year replaces a lower salary year and SSA recalculates by SS benefit once a year.

Paying Medicare when you work past 65 gets you absolutely nothing.

 

[Pablo]

I didn’t have dental insurance until last month. Wife talked me into for cleaning. Don’t ask but it still doesn’t make financial sense!

 

[fantastic]

There is nothing fair about Medicare or ss. The high earners pay for the low earners.

For Medicare I think you're right but for Social Security I don't believe so since for 2025, the Social Security tax limit is $176,100. You don’t have to pay the Social Security payroll tax on the amount that exceeds that limit. Of course you could argue a big chunk of 176k is "high earners" but as far as I know there is no higher tax rate like Medicare has on higher earners.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc751
Wage base limits
Only the Social Security tax has a wage base limit. The wage base limit is the maximum wage that's subject to the tax for that year. For earnings in 2025, this base limit is $176,100. Refer to "What's New" in Publication 15 for the current wage limit for Social Security wages.

There's no wage base limit for Medicare tax. All covered wages are subject to Medicare tax.

 

[demarpaint]

My complaint about dental insurance is almost no dentists where I live are "in network". They want to be paid as I leave the office. They will send in the form but the check then goes to me .

Example - root canal dentist charges $1900. The dental insurance says the in network cost should be $900 and they pay 50% so I get a check back for $450. So I actually pay $1450 out of pocket.

A dentist from church (not my dentist) told me you would be lucky to find a first year dentist in dental school to do a root canal for $900..

I hear ya. I know my dentist for over 40 years, he took my plan we had $2,200/year for anything dental, anything. I lucked out. As I mentioned the new coverage is two cleanings and exams one set of X-Rays/year. The change was not for the better.

 

[Donald]

I hear ya. I know my dentist for over 40 years, he took my plan we had $2,200/year for anything dental, anything. I lucked out. As I mentioned the new coverage is two cleanings and exams one set of X-Rays/year. The change was not for the better.

My Medicare Advantage plan has some dental coverage but I pay separately for a MetLife dental plan. I need to determine if I really need the MetLife dental plan.

 

[alarmguy]

With all due respect you're incorrect. SSI or Supplemental Security Income is 100% part of the Social Security Administration. There are two programs that are operated here that I think you're getting confused about. SSI is for retired or disabled folks that never paid anything or enough into Social Security (SSA) during their working life.

The SSI program helps bring a basic federal minimum living payment to those individuals, children, retired or disabled, with little resources or income. However, BOTH payments are subject to the same COLA increases. As a result SSI recipients will also get a 2.8% COLA increase & it is definitely part of what we're discussing here. The SSI recipients will start to get paid WITH the COLA increases starting on December 31st, 2025.

How to qualify:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi

https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/amount
How much you can get with SSI:
The maximum monthly SSI payment for 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Your amount may be lower based on your income, certain family members’ income, your living situation, and other factors.

You are wearing me out, which is rare! *LOL*
Last I will post on this (maybe)
You provided a calendar saying the first Social Security raise is paid on Dec 31.
If you study the link you provided you will see that. you are incorrect. This is the link you provided - https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2025.pdf?ftag=MSFd61514f

Social Security is paid on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wed of the month. Again, shown in the calendar you provided.

The payment on the 31st is NOT a Social Security payment as we are discussing here. That is a Supplemental Income Payment for disadvantaged people. I provided the link explaining that in my previous post to you. Its also stated right on the Calendar you provided.

I also provided a link to you showing the first social security payment for 2026 is the 2nd Wed of Jan 2026

Ok, I just finished reading your post, so you do understand all the above after all. My discussions were not about SSI my posts were related to the subject of Social Security payments as most people understand them. Not Supplemental Security Payments for the disadvantaged. IT is defiantly NOT what I was discussing here. You may have been.
I first Social Security increase will be the second Wed of Jan 2026
As far as Supplemental Security increase, well, I will take your word for it that it is Dec 31st But may original statement was correct.

 

[fantastic]

No the higher amount will start being paid on the second Wed of Jan 2026 which is Jan 14th
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2026.pdf

The circle you see on the 31 is not Social Security as we are discussing. The 31 on the calendar is Supplemental Social Security. (SSI)
https://www.aarp.org/social-security/faq/what-is-ssi/

Let me clarify more dates.

1. SSI COLA increases will be seen on December 31, 2025.
2. SS/SSDI increases will be seen on January 2, 2026 If you received Social Security before May 1997 or if receiving both Social Security & SSI. Also, in some states pay SS/SSDI on the 3rd if you are in a lower income bracket.
3. SS/SSDI (3rd SSA Payout w/higher COLA) for birthday payout dates will indeed be started on January 14, 2026.