How Much Do You think You Need to Retire? What Age Will You/Spouse Retire? General Retirement Issues (Part 2)

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Holy guac!!

:flushed:

We’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop: how much our Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. Medigap) premiums will increase for 2022. It’s not going to be pretty.

“ CMS officials stressed that while the 14.5 percent Part B premium increase is a stiff one, the Social Securityï»ż cost-of-living adjustment (COLAï»ż) — ï»żat 5.9 percent, the largest in 30 years - is estimated to average $71.40 per recipientï»ż. ï»żSo even after the increase in the Medicare Part B premium, most Social Security recipientsï»ż, whose Part B premiums are typically deducted from their Social Security benefits, will still see aï»ż nï»żet increase in their monthly check. ï»żThe COLA goes into effect in January.”

Some of these clowns need to be fired! Seriously? That is the lamest explanation I have heard. The “L” in COLA is supposed to mean “living” not just Medicare premiums.

“ The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation.”

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I noted in the Forbes article you posted that the Medicare Part B deductible is also increasing-- by $30 per year, to $233.

Even with the SS increase I think our net buying power will decrease in 2022.

Robbing from Peter to give to Paul.

My SS benefit is probably not going to cover my Medicare part B and my IRRMA part D. Great


My marketplace health insurance premiums actually are going down for 2022 (NJ). So a big increase like this seems out of line.

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Federal subsidies for marketplace premiums increased. That has nothing to do with Medicare.

Yes, they are unrelated, but they are related. The Federal government is subsidizing marketplace premiums better than Medicare?

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just to clarify, the “clowns” of which you speak are members of Congress, since they write the complex (and convoluted?) laws. The folks at CMS just administer/enforce them. If Congress passes a law that says little/no increase this year but will catch it all up next year, that’s what they do. And of course, covid hit seniors/Medicare hard.

But this is a perfect example of why inflation is so bad. IMO, Fed Chairman Powell’s idea that today’s inflation is just “transitory” defies common sense. Once reappointed and reconfirmed, I’m sure he’ll change his tune quickly.

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The Marketplace subsidy increases are part of the American Rescue Plan Act, pandemic relief passed last spring.

COLA, by its own definition, is going to be lagging in an accelerating inflationary environment.

All that about the COLA covering the increase is fine marketing talk, but I immediately jump to pick the flaws in that argument. What about someone who turns 65 in 2022, they may or may not be claiming SS$ (wait until 70?) but even if they do, there won’t be any COLA. So, stop trying to pretend it’s no big deal and just admit it sucks, but it is what it is and we will all have to deal with it.

I read Bogleheads a lot and there area great many early retirees managing their income to retain ACA subsidies, I think some of them will be paying way more for Medicare than ACA coverage, especially if they don’t take SS$ until 70 so actually see those premiums for 5 years.

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I did not realize that. My rates went down earlier this year due to the Rescue Plan, so I was surprised to see them go down again for January 2022.

I also read Bogleheads, and I have been amazed at the number of early retirees who manage things in a way that allows them to qualify for subsidies. Worth checking into the strategies they use if you are in a similar situation.

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Subsidies are based on income, so it’s all about income minimization for subsidies. If you have enuf cash in the bank to live on, there is no need to sell IRA’s or equities, both of which are taxable income, to pay daily bills. Delay pensions. Delay SS.

"What about someone who turns 65 in 2022, they may or may not be claiming SS$ (wait until 70?) but even if they do, there won’t be any COLA. "

Incorrect. The annual COLA increases (nearly*) everyone’s retirement benefit amount (at FRA), regardless of whether they are claiming SS today or later.

*haven’t the faintest idea how it works for those subject to WEP or other public pensions where they did not pay into SS.

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I am subject to the offset and windfall provisions for SS. I do get a COLA when everyone else does. But it is on my already very reduced SS benefit (I worked for more than 10 years in places where SS was taken out of my pay
but a long time ago so pay was very low). My SS benefit without offset and windfall would be about $600 a month or so. With those provisions, my benefit is about $240 a month
maybe a tad more now
which basically covers my Medicare bill and one cup of Starbucks fancy coffee a month.

A 5% increase on $240 isnt much!

I’m not sure I can get the Washington Nationals on anything other than MASN, thanks to the ongoing lawsuits with Peter Angelos. Can’t even stream it to my computer via Comcast.

I don’t get the NHL or NFL Network, so am not sure what I can get through Sling. I can stream a fair bit to my computer (great when I’m upstairs sewing) via Comcast or Amazon Prime. Will have to investigate!

Your son is an idiot.