Social Security News

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011
   

Press Office

For Immediate Release   
410-965-8904
press.office@ssa.gov

Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012.  Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.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 $110,100 from $106,800.  Of the estimated 161 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2012, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum. Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov.  For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated.  To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.  # # #


NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: A fact sheet showing the effect of the various automatic adjustments is attached. SSA Press Office  440 Altmeyer Building  6401 Security Blvd.  Baltimore, MD 21235410-965-8904  FAX 410-966-9973

Fact Sheet

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2012.pdf

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Social Security News

Effective January, 2012 there will be a raise of 3.6% out of which there will also be an increase in Medicare premiums.