On a positive note, this COLA increase is welcome. Historically, there have been years without any COLA increase. That noted, at 1.5% the 2014 COLA is still less than the 1.7% COLA in 2013, which some regarded as too low.
The math, as summarized by ElderLawAnswers, works out like this:
Starting in January 2014, the average monthly Social Security retirement payment will rise from $1,275 to $1,294 a month for individuals and from $2,080 to $2,111 for couples. The 1.5 percent increase will apply to both elderly and disabled Social Security recipients, and individuals who receive both disability and retirement Social Security will see increases in both types of benefits. The maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age, which is age 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, will be $2,642 a month.
The good news is that it is not all bad news. While the SSA is seeing a lower COLA, it is worth noting that Medicare Part B will not be seeing an increase from the 2013 standard monthly premium of $104.90. In the end, then, for many beneficiaries 2014 might not be too unreasonable.
