Social Security Retirement & Disability COLA 2025

Interesting because the latest inflation report showed annual rate of around 3 percent. 2.8 is close to 3 obviously, but these folks live on thin margins and the 2.8 seems a touch optimistic.
 
Interesting because the latest inflation report showed annual rate of around 3 percent. 2.8 is close to 3 obviously, but these folks live on thin margins and the 2.8 seems a touch optimistic.
You are referring to CPI-U which is a different method used to determine inflation. On the other hand COLA for retirees & disabled are determined by CPI-W for this year's increase of 2.8%.
 
Interesting because the latest inflation report showed annual rate of around 3 percent. 2.8 is close to 3 obviously, but these folks live on thin margins and the 2.8 seems a touch optimistic.
The adjustment includes a change to the AIME and bend points. So it doesn't correlate 1:1 with inflation, even though its based on inflation.
 
You are referring to CPI-U which is a different method used to determine inflation. On the other hand COLA for retirees & disabled are determined by CPI-W for this year's increase of 2.8%.
Thank you. I will have to educate myself on the difference. My irritation here is not directed at you (obviously) but it seems a little cute to have all these different inflation measures when in reality you are trying to capture the cost of daily living. Yes, that is a difficult thing to do and there are many variables involved, but it is curious to me what is achieved by using multiple measuring tools when you are trying to capture the same thing.

Have a nice weekend.
 
You are correct. It looks like it was 2.5%
https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colaseries.html
Yep 2.5% last year. Is Medicare going to hold steady, price taken out of SS I mean, or are they raising it? I didn't want to look, no point in getting PO'ed over it from now...... I know they cut my Medicare benefits here in NY, making that 2.8% increase a joke, and an even bigger joke if Medicare goes up in 2026.

Edit: Is see @alarmguy answered my question. I guess I can PO'ed be from now............ Thanks buddy!!!!!!! ;)
 
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
I think your thread should be labeled COLA 2026
 
Yep 2.5% last year. Is Medicare going to hold steady, price taken out of SS I mean, or are they raising it? I didn't want to look, no point in getting PO'ed over it from now...... I know they cut my Medicare benefits here in NY, making that 2.8% increase a joke, and an even bigger joke if Medicare goes up in 2026.
See post #10 ;)
 
I think your thread should be labeled COLA 2026
No, but I understand that it can be confusing. This increase is based on 3rd quarter cost of living for the previous year 2024 to 2025. However, yes it will be started to be paid out Dec 31st, 2025 & then into next year 2026. 2026 COLA would be based on future information that hasn't happened yet so 2025 title is correct. ;)

You can see even SSA puts the increase next to the year 2025.
https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colaseries.html
 
I did, that triggered my edit. We were posting at the same time. I can finish off the year PO'ed. ;)
I figured that.
Call me crazy but I think these past two years COLA increases are too low. At least the previous year the Part B didnt go up much, this year is different.
... and yeah, after looking at what is going on with Medigap and Advantage Plans up there, wow, insane. I posted to you before I would have to pay close to or exactly at $300 more a month for my current Plan N up there.
and... in my old zip code it shows NO available Advantage Plans, shocking. But hey, that's Long Island for you.

After being in Medigap N for just this past one year I am going back to Advantage. We still have a fair amount of plans and one of them is REALLY good. Max out of pocket $3,500 SO you know I am not blowing smoke check this out.
Also EVERY medical network here takes this plan so far for 2026 including Duke and all the doctors/specialists I have seen except for one and no longer needed since im done with radiation.

Anyway, this one is a no brainer however I am considering one or two others. BCBSNC which I current have them for Plan N but they also offer some pretty good Advantage at just slightly higher cost. One of their plans is only $4100 out of pocket, it's one of their more premium plans and cost $40 a month more than the part B payment. However compared to this plan below, they offer enough that makes up that $40.

Just in case you dont believe me... *LOL*
https://www.humana-medicare.com/BenefitSummary/2026PDFs/H1036335001SB26.pdf
 
Yep 2.5% last year. Is Medicare going to hold steady, price taken out of SS I mean, or are they raising it? I didn't want to look, no point in getting PO'ed over it from now...... I know they cut my Medicare benefits here in NY, making that 2.8% increase a joke, and an even bigger joke if Medicare goes up in 2026.

Edit: Is see @alarmguy answered my question. I guess I can PO'ed be from now............ Thanks buddy!!!!!!! ;)
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.
 
I figured that.
Call me crazy but I think these past two years COLA increases are too low. At least the previous year the Part B didnt go up much, this year is different.
... and yeah, after looking at what is going on with Medigap and Advantage Plans up there, wow, insane. I posted to you before I would have to pay close to or exactly at $300 more a month for my current Plan N up there.
and... in my old zip code it shows NO available Advantage Plans, shocking. But hey, that's Long Island for you.

After being in Medigap N for just this past one year I am going back to Advantage. We still have a fair amount of plans and one of them is REALLY good. Max out of pocket $3,500 SO you know I am not blowing smoke check this out.
Also EVERY medical network here takes this plan so far for 2026 including Duke and all the doctors/specialists I have seen except for one and no longer needed since im done with radiation.

Anyway, this one is a no brainer however I am considering one or two others. BCBSNC which I current have them for Plan N but they also offer some pretty good Advantage at just slightly higher cost. One of their plans is only $4100 out of pocket, it's one of their more premium plans and cost $40 a month more than the part B payment. However compared to this plan below, they offer enough that makes up that $40.

Just in case you dont believe me... *LOL*
https://www.humana-medicare.com/BenefitSummary/2026PDFs/H1036335001SB26.pdf
I have not decided but I am so far following you. I might go back but in WA Advantage choices are now more limited.

My medication plan is free but my few new drugs are not. But the meds are cheap so it’s not terrible

I’m waffling here
 
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Semantics. If FOR was used in thread title then 2026 would be appropriate

I dunno all the years are starting to run together. Hahahaha
No, but I understand that it can be confusing. This increase is based on 3rd quarter cost of living for the previous year 2024 to 2025. However, yes it will be started to be paid out Dec 31st, 2025 & then into next year 2026. 2026 COLA would be based on future information that hasn't happened yet so 2025 title is correct. ;)

You can see even SSA puts the increase next to the year 2025.
https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colaseries.html
To keep it simple, the SS Cola increase for the year 2026 is 2.8%
MY brain, seeing the thread titled 2025 COLA ... messes with me. *LOL*

Social Security is going up 2.8 percent starting Jan 1 2026
https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html

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