Are you celebrating? Just got notice of an increase in SS benefits.......

[Paper Roses]

But, the same notice tells me that my Medicare will go up many dollars.
Geeze, I might be able to buy a loaf of bread with the difference.
Sure glad I paid into the system since the '60's. Paid off, didn't it.

[dmallind]

1. Did it pay off? Depends on how long you live. Nothing else matters.

It probably will if you live a reasonable lifespan at about the average or above, yes. Do you expect to get less out than you put in?

[marybourg]

2. In the 26 years my DH has been getting S.S. his monthly payments have

nearly doubled. His pension hasn't changed at all. We could almost live on his monthly S.S.check and mine, which is largely due to his, not my, work record, and if we had to, we could. So qwitcha complaining; it's probably the best investment you ever made.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I have had several friends die before even beginning to collect the SS they paid into

from for 4 or 5 decades. Best friend, single guy, died in 2005 7 days before he turned 65.

[jwirr]

4. Not only did Medicare go up, food stamps decreased. For me the Cola has never been a raise.

[RebelOne]

5. Yes, the COLA has only covered the increase in Medicare. n/t