How Does TSCL Project the Social Security COLA? Q:  I would like to know how, at this point, you project a Social Security COLA at 6.1%. Inflation would have to continue on an upward path through September for that to happen. — R.Q., NJ A: You make an excellent point!  The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) uses the ...

Could the Social Security COLA Be More Fairly Adjusted to Provide a Fixed Annual Dollar Amount? Q:  Could the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment be more fairly adjusted to provide a fixed annual dollar amount?  If the dollar amount of the increase were to be based on middle income, then low- and middle-income beneficiaries would be ...

My Congressman Wants A More Accurate Measure Of Inflation For COLAs.  How Would That Affect My Social Security Benefits? Q:  I received a mailing from my Representative stating that he supports a plan to save Social Security that would provide a more accurate measure of inflation to calculate annual cost-of-living adjustments.  What would this mean for ...

Would a Higher Cost-of-Living-Adjustment in Social Security Make Me Ineligible for Medicaid? Q:  I recently read that if retirees got higher cost-of-living-adjustments some low-income people would lose eligibility for Medicaid, food stamps, and other benefits.  Would using a senior consumer price index to determine the annual raise really do this? A:  It would be unlikely for the ...

How Much Did Congress Earn Last Year? Q: Can you tell me how much members of Congress earned last year after shutting down the government? Did they receive a COLA for 2014? I’ve heard conflicting stories. A: Members of Congress earned a salary of $174,000 in 2013, but they received no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2014 — ...

Most analysts believe that switching to a more – stingy measure of inflation to determine annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will form a key provision to larger government-wide deficit reduction legislation. The idea received the blessing of President Obama who offered the change last December during fiscal cliff negotiations and continues to float the idea as ...

TSCL Mounts Nationwide Effort Fighting COLA Cuts A major move is underway to reduce government spending on Social Security by cutting the growth rate in annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).  What would it cost you?  Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions: Q:  What is the “chained” CPI? A:  Through 2012, annual COLA increases have ...

Pending budget decisions over dwindling government funds will likely once again trigger a high-stakes battle over how to reduce the nation’s debt. A proposal that would reduce the rate of growth in annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), as well as COLAs paid in other federal benefit programs, including those of military retirees, remains on ...

What Is Tracked In Determining The COLA? Q: In determining the COLA what items does the government track for price changes? Why does the COLA grow so much more slowly than my costs? A: It’s not what the government tracks that causes your Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to grow so slowly. It’s what the government isn’t ...

Is Social Security A Ponzi Scheme? How Much In Social Security Income Can I Expect To Get? Q: I’ve been hearing a lot recently that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. Just how much in Social Security benefits can I expect? I just turned 62, but I’m still working and haven’t started benefits yet. A: The amount ...