Medicare costs to reduce Social Security increase

[William769]

WASHINGTON (AP) — That didn't last long. About 55 million Social Security recipients will get their first increase in benefits next year since 2009 — a 3.6 percent raise. But higher Medicare premiums could erase part of it.

For some, higher Medicare Part B premiums could wipe out as much as a fourth of their raise from Social Security, according to projections by the trustees who oversee the programs.

Medicare is expected to announce 2012 Part B premiums as early as next week. The premiums, which cover doctor visits, are deducted automatically from monthly Social Security payments.

The Social Security Administration announced the pay increase Wednesday, offering a measure of comfort to millions of retirees and disabled people, many who have seen their retirement accounts dwindle, home values drop and out-of-pocket medical costs rise in the years since their last raise.

http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9QFKMP00%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1018

[LiberalFighter]

1. I suppose those on Social Security could refuse to take it.

Hasn't there always been increases in Medicare premiums when there has been an increase of benefits?

[William769]

2. Yes they refuse to take it and their Medicare still goes up.

People really should think their user names.

[Donnachaidh]

4. so SS recipients should just STFU and smile for the cameras, yes?

There's more of that *CHANGE we can believe in* shining through....

[Donnachaidh]

3. yup -- the shell game redux

Make a BIG photo-op announcement of the BIG thing you're doing for the great unwashed. Have all the media outlets announce how WONDROUS it is.

Then when the smoke clears, and all the noisemakers are gone -- hand over the paper work to the masses you just *gifted* - the paperwork that shows that it ain't *quite* what was being announced. And don't complain, because they did us SUCH a favor.

:snort:

:shrug:

[xchrom]

5. +1