Anyone receiving SSDI?

[Hawkeye-X]

Do you guys know if there's a COL raise again for next year? I didn't receive anything in the mail...

Hawkeye-X

[dmr]

1. Yes, 2.1%

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/2004cola-pr.htm

Thursday October 16, 2003
Jim Courtney, Press Officer

For Immediate Release
410-965-8904 FAX [phone]

SOCIAL SECURITY
News Release
Social Security Announces 2.1 Percent Benefit Increase for 2004

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 51 million Americans will increase 2.1 percent in 2004, the Social Security Administration announced today.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year. This year's increase in the CPI-W was 2.1 percent.

The 2.1 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that 47 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2004. Increased payments to 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 31.

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $87,900 from $87,000 in 2003. Of the estimated 156 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2004, about 9.2 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum in 2004.

Information about Medicare changes for 2004 can be found at www.hhs.gov – The Internet site for the Department of Health and Human Services.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Big whoop

I get $22.75 increase based on this. :eyes:

Any way I can cancel my Medicare subscription or is this forced? (I was forced to take in Medicare without me consenting and getting the deductions taken from my SSDI, since it'll save me another 50)

Hawkeye-X

[catmandu57]

3. I haven't got my notice either

last year it was here 1 dec, so far nothing. Medicare used to be that the state would pick up the premium if you fell into the income guidelines. Check with social services to see if they still pick up the tab.

[papau]

4. Medicare has no deductions - Part B medicare is by choice and you pay

Call your SS office to get rid of Part B is you are concerned about the Deductions more than you are concerned about Doctor's bills.