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For the sixth consecutive year, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a cost-of-living adjustment that's a near-record low. Benefits will rise in January by a meager 1.7% after a 1.5% increase in 201In fact, inflation has been growing so slowly that the annual increase has averaged only 1.4% per year since 2010 - less than half the 3 percent average during the prior decade. In 2010 and 2011, benefits didn't increase at all, and a 1.7% increase next year won't pull up the five-year average..The chances are high that the next president of the United States will sign into law legislation that reforms the Social Security program and extends the solvency of the trust fund beyond 2034, its projected year of exhaustion. For years leaders in Washington have been authoring sweeping plans that would enact major benefit cuts like reduced cost-of-living adjustments or increased eligibility ages in order to strengthen the financing of the program. But the unpopularity of those plans with voters ensured those plans never went anywhere..My brother, age 65, is cognitively impaired. He can't read or understand finances, but he's married, able to work and earns a modest living. He owns a small home that was purchased for him through a family trust. Recently he signed a loan for a 2013 Nissan with almost 60,000 miles - that cost ,000 including financing. He signed the contract even though he can't read or understand the amount he owes or how long it would take to repay..Petition to Congress: Put an End to Dramatic Increases in Prescription Drug Costs.For more information or to view a list of cosponsors, click here..With the end of the 2021 fiscal year on Sept. 30 fast approaching, they face a massive workload if they hope to finish by then. Technically, they are supposed to pass legislation funding the federal government for fy202No one expects that will happen but they still must pass a "continuing resolution" which will keep the government going for an additional period, giving them time to pass the new budget. If they don't do that the government will shut down..Those participating in The Senior Citizens League's annual senior survey, which is still being conducted, confirm that monthly household expenses made steep increases over the past year, far in excess of the dollar amount that their COLAs increased benefits. The 2.8 percent COLA raised the average Social Security benefit of ,400 by about per month this year. Yet more than 78 percent of survey participants report that their household spending rose by more than .00 per month in 201"When costs climb more rapidly than benefits, retirees must spend down retirement savings more quickly than expected, and those without savings or other retirement income are either going into debt, or going without," Johnson says..TSCL enthusiastically supports H.R. 155, H.R. 1029, H.R. 574, and H.R. 1795, and we were pleased to see support grow for each of them this week..Senator Thune also said there are no plans for the Senate to stay in session longer than it normally would to get their work done. That means they will take their usual August break as well as the usual recesses during upcoming holidays.