More than 56 million Social Security
recipients will see their monthly payments increase by 1.7% in January… The
increase is among the lowest since automatic annual adjustments were adopted in
1975.

Did you know your Social
Security payout increase will be the lowest ever at 1.7%? It’s true, according
to official confirmation on October 16.

The COLA is the Cost
Of Living Adjustment added to Social Security annually,
based on inflation and increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI.) For some
seniors, planning for the new year means planning around the COLA and hoping
for the best. Alternatively, a reduction or a weak increase in COLA may mean
seniors will need to make up the difference out of savings. Nevertheless, the
CPI is an imperfect indicator and a debated one as well.

This matter was taken up
recently by USA Today in an article
titled “Social Security benefits to rise 1.7% in
2013
.”

Well, if you are on Social Security,
what does this mean to you? Likely it means a great deal, especially if the tax
picture changes next year. What about that payroll tax cut that’s set to
expire? To bone up on what may be coming down the pike you might want to review
a recent Forbes article titled “Social Security Benefits To Rise 1.7%;
Workers Face Up To $2425 Payroll Tax Hike
.”

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References: USA Today
(October 16, 2012) “Social Security benefits to rise 1.7% in
2013

Forbes (October 16, 2012) “Social Security Benefits To Rise 1.7%;
Workers Face Up To $2425 Payroll Tax Hike
.”