COLA

[Dick]

I don't mean the drink! I overheard on the news today, that there will NOT be a COLA this coming year! I guess it is the pre-runner of the purging all the old folks over a certain age. I am sure I am not the only one who is BELOW the poverty level, of income, having to deal with this! It must be time to tighten the belt, (around the oldfolks neck. Cynical, you bet! I trust the current administration), like I trust an angry rattlesnake, alongside my juglar vein!
Dick

[eagames]

Article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-10-15-social-security-cola-250-seniors_N.htm

[Dick]

Ed, That was on the FOX news, and is what I am referring to.
I don't know how many of the members are on SS, but it is a case of the high costs of everything, during the year, not being caught up with until the next year, (figuratively speaking), . Then one gets a COLA increase on the SS check. That doesn't off-set the "being behind". It only lets one know that they are slowly sinking! We are in better shape than they were during the last one, because we DO get SS. They didn't have sucha thing then!. For the younger generation, My suggestion would be to save as much as possible, and go into the Military, with the idea in mind to stay as long as they are able. The retirement is not enough to get by on, by itself, but it does help. Combine it with SS, (if such a thing is still possible in their future), and they can get by. Not living high on the hog, naturally, but just being sure you can make ends meet. I am lucky, in that I have both a pension from the Navy, and SocialSecurity. Many only have one, or the other. Some have neither!
Dick

[Bob P]

Dick,
I have been thinking a lot about this since I heard the news also. It means military retiree pay, and disability will also not receive the COLA. If you get both SS and retiree pay, it's like a double whammy. They are supposed to be discussing a one time $250.00 payment to make up for it.
I guess paying more for everything including food, fuel, utilities etc. in a recession/depression means the cost of living has stayed the same huh?

[Dick]

Hi Bob! Yes, or at least thart is what they seem to think. The way it is, we retirees, and recipients of social Security, are always a year behind. all the hight priced gas, and other things, come, and last all year long, but we only get a "catch-up', to cover that, AND the current price structure. We only get a "once-a-year" adjustment. For some reason it just doesn't seem to be enough, that we can build a small hedge against the rising cost of the current year. Like I said, I wonder when thet will begin thnking, "Now if we could get rid of the cost of supporting the old folks...." Maybe you remember it, a movie on TV, many years ago, that had an age limit. Once you got there, you were "fair game", and the bounty-hunters came looking. I have read Sience fiction since the second grade, (1932), and have seen so much of the things written about, (as fiction, then), turn out to be fact, many years later. Makes you wonder!
Dick

[eagames]

[Dick]

Ed, that was niot the name, or I would have recalled it. The main reason for requireing old folks turn themselves in was to allow a child to be born. They evidently didn't know about the "pill". There was an underground group, that tried to prevent the "euthanizing" of their parents, or other family members. That will one day be a part of the "family life", in years to come. The world has too many countries that have no control whatsoever, and the p[op[ulation is becoming a problem. Incidently, that was one of the things I told the Priest, who babtized me, when I became a Chatholic. I told him right off, that I accept the religion, but not all of its teachings, and policies. JHe accepted my conditions. I don't believe in the lack of birth control. We, the general population of the qworld, will have to make this a firm practice, in order for the worlds population to grow, and be healthy. Overpopulation, no matter where, or in which country, is bad foe the people.
Dick

[garylcsr]

I not only did not get a raise this year but they lowered my check by $10.00 a month figure that one out lol
I get both retirement and SS lost 10 on mil and got nothing on SS
but they did raise the cost of medicare just like they do every year without fail.
it's ok though the wife and i are both retired and both on SS so we are not doing too bad YET lol

[Dick]

They didn't change anything on our retirement, and SS. The Medicare is unchanged. I don't understand why they would lower the military retirement, unless it is affected some way, if it is less than 20 years. We got an advisory that the medicare would not change, due to the fact that there is no COLA.

[garylcsr]

I didn't get a letter at all. but the wife's Mil Ret was put down by $9. and some change and I'm not sure what went up yet but all mine and the wife's medical went up. I could go to the VA for all my medical but most of mine is workers comp beings i broke my back at work.I am going to have to check on the medical again to see what went up.

[Dick]

Gary, I don't know what the cause might be. i'm not familiar with the WC situation, as I have never been hurt. Bumps, scratches, and cuts, but never managed to break anything, (except the bank), but that is another story. I thought you were using the VA, being retired, but i huess there are different types. I'd be up the crap street, if it weren't for the VA. I have no other source. We could go to Military bases for treatment, but they have gotten into the habit of 'referring" to some other place. Then, with the "TRI-Care" thing, I have no idea how that works, so my wife has Kaiser-Permanente, and I, the VA.

[Bob P]

The decrease in Military Retirement pay was because they re-assessed the Fedral Income Tax. Last year, they reduced the FICA by a few dollars which meant a small increase in the monthly check. This year, they took it back. No nothing for 2010.

[mikediamond]

Another perspective, from a columnist who is a moderate conservative:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/opinion/02brooks.html

[Digenes]

Bob is correct the drop in the Mil Retirement pay is because they changed the tax rate, and raised everyone by 9 dollars a month on their taxes. I guess I am lucky in one way. I get my Navy Retirement, SSD and my VA disability. But none of the the three are getting a cola raise at all this year. Also they are not raising the cost of Medicare because there is no COLA this year.
When you think about it, the COLA really does no good with SS because if they give you a 20 dollar a month raise in cola they normally raise medicare by about 15 dollars. hmmmmm wow whole 5 dollar raise when we do get it.

Dave
USN Retired and Disabled Vet

[Dick]

True, and the next question is: When is Obama going to cancel COLA??? No doubt he has already looked into it. Or, is ot true that there are some things NO ONE messes with, even him??? I forgot to mention, my wifes medicare expenses, each year "just happen" to equal the increase granted, or given by COLA., so in effect, sha hasn't had an increase in years.....
Now for a change that I would like to see:L Make military spouses eligable for VA treatment! They went thru the whole military career with 'their" service person, so why not> It would save a lot of money, that some of the "HMO's are siphoning, as tho the feed line was a mile wude! Not naming any, but "K-P"i is not the old well-known "KP".
Dick