If SS retirees get 2.7 % COLA Adjustment

[LoneWolf7254]

 If on October 15th, The COLA increase is 2.7%, there is good news and bad news. Now, remember I said If . That would be okay, if formula has not changed. The very bad news, is that Your MEDICARE rate would go from $ 185.00 to $ 206.00 . An increase of $ 21.50.  If You are getting below average SSA Benefits the amount will be adjusted. I just received My book from My Medicare Advantage Plan. No bargains here. Everything has increased as expected. Drug prices are insane.  So, hypothetically, if You get a projected $ 55 boost per month, it is now going to be $ 34.00 You end up with.  I  suppose not getting a COLA increase would be better, that way,  Your Check would hold steady, as MEDICARE cannot raise their rate if You don't get a raise in Your COLA.

[GailL1]

ONLY the Medicare Part B premium is adjusted for the Hold Harmless Provision - any and all other increases don’t play a part in your SS Benefit amount.

 But yea, we see what you mean - but getting or not getting a COLA isn’t gonna hold down all those other cost increases.  Those related to Medicare or those related to other types of insurance or anything else.  Because none of them are actually JUST based on inflation - some are based on usage, others are based on the risk pool of the people in the covered group.  

So take your whatever increase you get after adjusting for the Part B Medicare premium and just spend it on some other thing that has gone up - 

[Winter2025VA]

[9/30/25] @LoneWolf7254 , I didnot know that IF we DONOT receive a COLA, our Plan B rate would NOT increase. Now I am assuming you are referring to Medicare Plan B rates??? Take care, Nicole!

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@LoneWolf7254 wrote:

 If on October 15th, The COLA increase is 2.7%, there is good news and bad news. Now, remember I said If . That would be okay, if formula has not changed. The very bad news, is that Your MEDICARE rate would go from $ 185.00 to $ 206.00 . An increase of $ 21.50.  If You are getting below average SSA Benefits the amount will be adjusted. I just received My book from My Medicare Advantage Plan. No bargains here. Everything has increased as expected. Drug prices are insane.  So, hypothetically, if You get a projected $ 55 boost per month, it is now going to be $ 34.00 You end up with.  I  suppose not getting a COLA increase would be better, that way,  Your Check would hold steady, as MEDICARE cannot raise their rate if You don't get a raise in Your COLA.

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[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA - you know this, I think.

He is talking about the SS Hold Harmless provision that says, your SS benefit cannot be lower than what you got the previous year because of a Part B premium increase. If it is calculated to do that, then YOUR Part B premium is modified to be no higher than the COLA.  

[Winter2025VA]

[9/30/25] Thanks for clarifying things Gail @GailL1 . Nicole!

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@GailL1 wrote:

@Winter2025VA - you know this, I think.

He is talking about the SS Hold Harmless provision that says, your SS benefit cannot be lower than what you got the previous year because of a Part B premium increase. If it is calculated to do that, then YOUR Part B premium is modified to be no higher than the COLA.  

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