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This year, Social Security beneficiaries are receiving a COLA of just 0.3 percent, and in 2016, they received no COLA at all. Since 2012, COLAs have averaged 1 percent less than half of the 3 percent average during the decade prior but most beneficiaries have seen no benefit increase at all in several years due to rising Medicare Part B premiums..Paralleling his civilian career was his military career in the Army and Air Force reserve components as a senior non-commissioned officer. He retired from the Maryland Air National Guard after 30 years of service in 200In 1996, Larry was part of the first United States military mission to Romania since World War II. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Master Chaplains' Assistant Badge..Following the blueprint's release, Sen. Bernard Sanders ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee voiced his concerns, saying: "This budget gives huge tax breaks to billionaires and millionaires while making devastating cuts to education, Medicare, affordable housing, prescription drug coverage, and many other vital investments for the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor … This budget is the Robin Hood principle in reverse. It takes from the poor to give to the rich.".Because this is an election year, elected lawmakers are likely to be listening extremely carefully to their constituents. Your help now, and that of family and friends, could make the difference in pushing through the ,000 lump-sum legislation..Third, the Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act of 2018 gained three new cosponsors in Representative Todd Rokita, Representative Jackie Walorski, and Representative Roger Marshall, bringing the new cosponsor total to six. If signed into law, H.R. 4841 would allow for and standardize electronic prior authorization for Medicare Part D beneficiaries..In fact, 88% of people who planned to retire in the next 10 years did not know what factors determine the maximum Social Security benefit that they could achieve. Benefits are based on the age at retirement, the number of years worked and the earnings record that your benefits will be based on..If you would like to view past press releases or sign-up to receive press releases via email, click here..The government will announce the 2017 COLA on October 18, 2016 and it remains to be seen whether Congress will take action to protect older Americans and state Medicaid budgets from unexpectedly high Medicare Part B premium costs. In response to similar circumstances last fall, Congress passed legislation that modified the Part B premium spike to the amount it would have increased if the hold harmless provision had not gone into effect..ReConsumer's Union has a brochure to explain how it works.