Social Security COLA for 2022 announced

[agate]

Social Security's annual Cost of Living Allowance increase will be much bigger than usual this year--5.9%:

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[Virginia]

Don't spend quite all of it because Medicare payments are going (for most of us) from $148.50 to $158.50.

[agate]

I've been excused from paying the Medicare premium for a long time now but might have to start paying it again because this 5.9% increase might put my income over the limit for what they're calling QMB-BASIC here in Oregon. If you qualify as QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary), you get classified as a certain type of QMB. QMB-BAS is the best coverage because it pays that premium for you.

The system is set up so that no one using it ever has much spare cash lying around.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Okay, I am just going to say it: Our Medicare system needs a complete overhaul, as does our Social Security System. Other countries manage to provide this kind of care to elders and to entire populations regardless of age. Why is this so difficult for us?

Every time I turn on the TV, there is an ad for changing Medicare supplement providers ... or, an ad for a drug, which causes every imaginable kind of side effect, including death, but "may work" so "ask your doctor about ..." Aaaagggghhhh!

All of those smiling, gleeful Seniors, walking their dogs, playing tennis, hugging their grandchildren. They are all so HEALTHY and gorgeous!

Real life? Not even close!

And, dental, hearing and eyesight care are "additions" to our Medicare benefits, which Congress is debating currently.

Doesn't everyone, regardless of age, need dental, hearing and eyesight care? Especially if you're a Senior!

The people in power, who make these decisions, are millionaires, and as "public servants" they have a pension and lifetime medical care. This isn't their problem.

That is because we are paying for their benefits with our tax dollars.

Benefits: You know, the ones, which we don't get without dredging out more of the pittance we receive to survive.

Meanwhile, billionaires are launching space ships at $250k a seat, while not paying a cent in taxes.

Parity, anyone?

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

And for some, like me, there will be larger increases in insurance. In addition to what Medicare takes out, my part D Prescription Drug Coverage is going up to over $100.00. Then there is the supplemental policy that I have to carry to pay the difference that medicare pays. Currently this is at $262.00 and is going up, lord knows how much, in January. I don't know if I got a raise.

[Virginia]

For those of you who are paying Medicare Part B premiums, I stated above that they would be $158.50 in 2022. I think that was an estimate. I have now read that the amount we pay for Part B will $170.10 in 2022. So, what happened to the 5.9% COLA? Mine is gone.

[agate]

Didn't go far, did it?

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

The government giveth, and the government taketh away.

I was paid as my sons' careprovider through In Home Supportive Services, which didn't take Social Security or Medicare out of my paycheck, because I was related to my "recipients." If my next door neighbor took care of them, that person would have been given those "perks."

My other source of income as their careprovider required that I become self-employed. So, I paid self-employment taxes on top of personal taxes.

Both programs were government funded.

Who knows? Maybe if I didn't have to pay all of those taxes, I could have built a rocket to take people into space for 11 minutes, and charge them $250k for the ride.

Let's all hope that President Biden's Build Back Better plans will incorporate and remedy the inequities of our social services system. And, the cost of prescription medication must be addressed. We have so many problems with our current system. We are the victims of this mess. Change is needed desperately.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

Rose, change is definitely needed. I know I am not alone when I say I am so tired of stressing out over getting my medicine.