Blog Public PolicySocial Security beneficiaries receive a small automatic increase in their Social Security checks most years, intended to help their benefits keep up with rising costs. But since 2000, COLAs increased benefits a total of just 43 percent while typical senior expenses have jumped 86%. 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..If you have questions or experience billing issues, contact an advocate such as your doctor, and your area agency on aging. Multiple home health agencies operate in many areas of the country, and you may be able to find services through a different agency. For information on where to find help in your area, check the Eldercare Locator..Information and referral: Depending on her income your mom may qualify for other assistance programs, like Medicare Extra Help, and you can get contact information for other types of programs. … Continued
Eat Your Way To A Better WorkoutThere's no doubt Democratic lawmakers would like to do these things because they campaigned on them last year and this would be the last chance to pass them this year. Because next year is an election year it is very unlikely any significant progress would be made then..The index used to determine the COLA of retirees does not measure the spending patterns of retirees, but younger workers instead. Retirees, we all know, spend their money differently than younger people and must spend a far bigger share of their budgets on housing and medical costs - two categories of spending that often rise several times faster than overall inflation..The Social Security 2100 Act, introduced by Representative John Larson and currently under consideration in the House, would replace the two-tier income threshold system with a single set of thresholds - 0,000 for joint filers and ,000 for single filers. The bill would subject as much as 85% of Social Security benefits to taxation as under current legislation. … Continued