No S.S. COLA extensions:

[Jiggers]

I brought this up several months ago but here it is.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/104667664.html

Share This

[anonyme]

The freeze on COLA for 2011 has been confirmed. This old formula needs to hit the dumpster. It does not take into consideration increased costs of food or utilities – it does, however, look at gasoline prices. That tells me a lot about where our priorities stand as a nation. Locally, our utility costs have skyrocketed, transportation costs for seniors & disabled doubled last year (with another increase scheduled) and food costs are expected to soar due to poor crops this summer. They say to expect a small COLA increase in 2012; too bad we can’t eat retroactively.

Share This

[metrognome]

The COLA calculations for a national program such as Social Security really should be regionalized so that local costs can be considered. During these Republican-sponsored tough economic times, I’m not sure that would be much help; my state pension went up less than 0.5%

As far as the increased transportation cost referenced by anonyme, the King County Council is considering a change to the approved change to increase the Regional Reduced Fare Permit cash and monthly and annual passes for seniors and persons with disabilities (I have posted the details in a separate thread.)

Share This

[JoB]

that would help

Share This

[Smitty]

“The COLA calculations for a national program such as Social Security really should be regionalized so that local costs can be considered.”

Same with minimum wage.

Share This

[JanS]

Now, Smitty, tell us..what is your problem with minimum wage? It’s not like it affects you at all…right? Unless that’s what you pay your employees, of course!

Share This

[Homer]

Just want to point out that the COLA for SS is directly tied to overall inflation %. How much did national inflation go up from last year to this year? 2009=1.10% 2010=1.15 Average from 1914 to 2010=3.38% Not really the time to be giving COLA for SS. Maybe once inflation get’s back to normal levels do we need to offset it by paying more. It doesn’t just happen every year because that’s how it used to. Based on math, not on “what always has happened”.

Share This

[Jiggers]

I agree with Smitty. It is 3-5 times higher to live in Honolulu as it is here. So, there you go. Everything has to be shipped over to them. I’m sure people working at jack-in-the box in San Francisco wouldn’t mind a higher minimum wage either. Times are very different today. Not everywhere is equal, but how can you fix this problem? Isn’t S.S. averaged out how much you put back into the system while you were working? Maybe someone can give me more in-depth knowledge how S.S. is averaged out to you.

Share This

[JoB]

jiggers..

you will have to correct me if i am wrong..

but I am pretty sure that social security disability payments are state specific.

COLA isn’t.

and your disability payment is based on your income average for the past (?) quarters you worked…. not your lifetime earnings.

so.. if you are disabled and don’t file immediately or try to work part time and fail.. your disability payments will be substantially lower than if you were working full time right up to the time of filing :(

even then.. you can count on anywhere from 6 months to several years for your claim to be processed….

and if you have to hire an atty to get benefits.. they get a hefty percentage of everything you hadn’t been paid yet.

not the best system :(

Share This

[HMC Rich]

I like Diet COLA. No use drinking any more if it isn’t necessary.

Share This

[JoB]

nice joke…

but to someone who gets the minimum social security disability in this state.. just under $800 a month.. the small change that COLA increases generate matter.

Share This

[Author]

Posts