$250 divided by 24 months=$10.42

[lapauvre]

For those, like myself, who are dependent upon Social Security benefits, the $250 stimulus check received from Social Security this year is likely to be your COLA for the next two years.

I don't understand the economic theory (so I may be over-reacting to the dangers), but I do find it odd that this subject can be found being discussed on the internet if you know what to look for, but has remained UN-discussed on the MSNM. I haven't heard a word about it on cable news. Why not? I can't imagine AARP, or NAMI, or Americans With Disabilities remaining silent on this subject.

A two year freeze on income for those totally reliant on SS, SSI or SSDI seems kind of like a death sentence. There will have to be some kind of freeze on food, utilities and medical care, or the disappearance of the elderly, disabled and orphaned will provide the "final solution" to our need to replenish SS assets.


http://www.ss.com/2009/social-security-i....coming-in-2009/


http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/positivecola.html

[MercutioATC]

1. SS benefits are NOT being "frozen".

The CPI-W (on which COLAS are based) is flat. Based on the formula by which COLA adjustments have been done for years, the numbers simply don't justify a COLA increase.

[DJ13]

4. ........................ yet

How can anyone say they know for a fact that inflation wont increase by the end of this year.

[stray cat]

2. Anybody else not getting a raise this year?

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I'm not. State legislature must approve all 'cost of living' salary increases and they don't have

the money this year. We got 1.5% in 2008 (compared to the 5.8% for SS for 2009).

Edited because the 5.8% COLA is for this year.

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/2009cola-pr.htm

[DJ13]

3. What I find disgusting about the 2 year COLA freeze is

That the administration has already announced it only 5 months into the year, when theres no way they can know whether inflation will skyrocket in the other 7 months.

The announcement was far too premature.

[yy4me]

6. I would like to challenge those who are foisting this myth that

the cost of living is flat. Where I live, things change daily. Prices rise daily or weekly. Nothing I have to pay for is stagnant. Who makes these decisions anyway?

What are they considering when they make the statements that prices are flat? Come here you guys. Check out the costs of gas, food, my property tax,electric bill, heating oil, even the cost of a crummy haircut.

Baloney on this theory. Come with me to the doctor and see how flat things are. Wait, can't do that, I can't go to see him because all I have is Medicare and no drug coverage. I can't afford the doctors co-pays for any treatment.

Find another category. How about a trip to the grocery store or the home improvement store. I have to do things myself now, can't afford to pay for a contractor. Today it is a trip to the local Lowe's for fireproof mortar to fix some cracks in my fireplace. Certainly cannot afford to hire a brick mason. Years ago, a professional could be contracted for a fair price. Now it is out of my league. My husband and I used to do a lot of the jobs around here but I'm now alone and there is no way I can hire anyone. I also lost my job.

With all that is happening, do it yourself is the way to go if you can afford the supplies.

The only thing that is flat is the thinking of the critters in Washington who are so incredible out of touch with real America.

[javelin]

7. I haven't got my $250.00 yet , have you?

Obama sure isn't doing us seniors any favors. I voted for him and now I am sorry about it. He is showing me he clearly is against helping seniors.

A lot of seniors have savings accounts at the bank, C.D., and all are paying 3% or less. A prime example is Bank of America's saving account pays .1% now.

Obama, Pelosi, and Franks worked very hard to help the Republican Henry Paulson to steal one trillion dollars of TARP money and give it to AIG and Bank of America. What are seniors getting from that deal.

The seniors will be paying back the administration and the young people of this nation, we are poor and getting poorer, that means we will buy less and less, we are going to help this nation collapse.