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The Kitchen Table

Did You Get Yours? (Social Security Letter)

13 years ago

My DH got his- regarding the 2012 COLA- cost of living allowance. His social Security net check is going up by $56.10. Let's see, what can I spend it on? Maybe it'll pay for half our phone bill. Or a nice restaurant meal for one of us. It's the first increase Spcial security has given in three years. Wow! Did you get your letter yet?

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Comments (22)

golfergrrl
13 years ago
Yes. Nice surprise.
Kathsgrdn
13 years ago
My dad did.
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When applying for DISABILITY benefits, you agree to report income from work or self-employment and/or a medical improvement in your condition. Your friend may not have fully understood this when he first applied. However, since your friend is over age 62, he MAY be eligible for RETIREMENT (not Disability) benefits. These benefits would be reduced for age since your friend is younger than full retirement age. Have him ask Social Security for more information. If he is indeed overpaid, he has several options- pay back the full amount in one lump sum, spread out the debt by monthly refunds, or file for Reconsideration or Waiver. "Reconsideration" means he disagrees with the facts of the overpayment. If he wants to have the overpayment waived (forgiven), he will have to prove that 1. he did not cause the overpayment AND 2. that it will cause him financial hardship to pay it back. Again, contact Social Security. Visit your local office in person or call 1-800-772-1213 for information and/or an appointment.
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Sorry for your difficulty in understanding an accent on the phone. I had an aunt who spoke with a strong German/New York accent that left me baffled when young, but gifted me with being pretty good with accents. I do need time with the person and seeing them in person definitely helps. I've worked with (dental) patients who are reluctant to speak because of their accents. I tell 'em keep talking, the more I hear them, the better I get at understanding them. Usually once they realize someone is really listening, I can't shut them up! (not that I want to) Garden gal 48 I agree about speed. Slower is better. They may not understand me well either. Anglophillia-- you may have hit the nail on the head. I once worked at a resort where the maintenance man was especially interested in a sore throat I'd complained about the day before. A co-worker explained he'd been a doctor in Cuba. Couldn't practice in the US of course. Came over on a makeshift raft. Was happier being a maintenance man in the US than a Dr. in Cuba. Kind of a eye opener for me. And yet-- Your Dr. should realize your limited energy and honor your request to not have to fill out a lengthy medical history in such a exhausting way. Ask to have them mail the forms to you so you can fill them out at home and bring them with you. This is not an unusual request. You can fill it out at your leisure as time and energy allow. You will know everything is correct. The assistant can enter the data into the computer from your form and you can avoid the situation.
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lisa_fla
13 years ago
My friend had a bigger check but didn't know why. Guess thats it. She didn't get a letter.
kathyg_in_mi
13 years ago
Yep, nice little raise!
Kathy G in MI
sushipup1
13 years ago
Lisa, this increase isn't good until next year. Don't know what happened to your friend's check.
minnie_tx
13 years ago
I got an increase of $37
jemdandy
13 years ago
My official notice arrived to day. It gave the new amount and how much would be charged for Medicare. About a month ago, I got a notice that thie letter would be coming.
jannie
Original Author
13 years ago
Yeah, the Part B Medicare premium will be $99.90. Fortunately there's a law that says nobody's check will go down. And the increase is paid starting in January.
fran1523
13 years ago
Got mine yesterday. It may not be much but every little bit helps. Figure it will pay for a tank of gas each month or a couple of lunches out with my friends.
joyfulguy
13 years ago
Not me - guess I live in the wrong place.

I got a slight increase in (non-contributory, but residence requirement) Old Age Security and (contributory: employer and employee) Canada Pension Plan this year.

But when I went to get my blood test this morning ... they asked for my health card, but no money.

The various tests and treatments for the clots on the lung somewhat over a year ago, have cost me nothing directly, and I have $100.00 cost per year as I need drugs, plus about $2.00 - 6.00 or so per prescription for the rest of the year.

o j
goldy
13 years ago
Not yet.
alisande
13 years ago
I got mine early, telling me I'll be charged $200/mo. for Medicare, and my S/S check will be reduced by $103. I posted about this at the time. I'm slowly adjusting to the news. :-/
Marilyn Sue
13 years ago
No, I did not get one.

Sue in Central Indiana
linda_in_iowa
13 years ago
I got my letter yesterday. I will be happy to get the 3.6 percent increase. I see that my Medicare premium went up $11 to $99.90 but my State of CA pension will increase to cover that cost.
sue_va
13 years ago
I haven't gotten a letter yet, but there has been a lot of talk about it among the residents here at the retirement
community.

Because so many of us are in the "older generation" and our SS was based on the rates many years ago, we were making jokes about what the increase would mean for us.

We pretty much decided we should all go out to celebrate . . . maybe at the local hot dog shack!!

Laughter is good for the soul.

Sue
Pooh Bear
13 years ago
I got my letter.
My SSI check is increasing by $24.

Pooh Bear
glenda_al
13 years ago
Mine came today and after deductions is $37
chisue
13 years ago
DH and I received ours, but so far they haven't deducted for his Part D *penalty*, although they show the insurance premium amount. I'm SO sure they will get around to it!
pattico_gw
13 years ago
we got ours...

what it says we will get if there aren't any other deductions is a nice little raise...I'm waiting to see what deductions there may be.

I'll not be too excited until I see for sure.
mawheel
13 years ago
DH and I haven't gotten our letters, yet, but since so many of you have received them, I guess/hope ours will be coming soon. Even with the two of us receiving Soc. Sec., there probably won't be much of an increase, but--hey--at this point, ANY increase is welcome!
patti43
13 years ago
We haven't received ours either. Guess with all the Christmas cards they're running behind.
lindalou
13 years ago
haven't received mine, yet!! ;)

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