Most Senior Citizens Struggling with Smaller Social
Security Checks, Cutting Medical Care
Higher Medicare costs combined with no
cost-of-living hike in Social Security hits seniors hard; TSCL Still
Pushing for Emergency COLA
Feb. 16, 2010 - A majority of seniors are receiving
a smaller Social Security check this year than in 2009, according to an annual survey of elderly Americans, released earlier today
by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). This is not a big
surprise, however, since there was no cost-of-living increase in Social Security,
while Medicare costs did increase for 2010.
The old twister joins Social Security in announcing
new twist in law making it easier to qualify for Extra Help with
Medicare prescription drug plan costs
The Social Security check is negatively impacted
because many seniors have their Medicare Part D (drug program) or
Medicare Advantage premiums automatically deducted, rather than writing
a check. Then, too, Medicare Part B costs, significantly higher in 2010,
are also deducted from Social Security.
But those deductions do not typically lower overall
Social Security checks for most seniors since they receive an annual
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Seniors failed to receive a Cost of
Living Adjustment in 2010 for the first time since the Automatic COLA
was introduced in 1975 due to the slumping economy in the final months
of the Bush Administration.
Of seniors receiving smaller checks, one-in-three
report receiving at least $31 less per month, and one-in-nine report
decreases of $70 or more each month.
In addition, the survey found:
● Almost two-in-three seniors (65 percent)
estimate their expenses increased by at least $80 per month in 2009
● 45 percent of seniors cut back on visits to
the doctor or hospital outpatient services
● 38 percent postponed filling a prescription or
took less than prescribed
● 47 percent had trouble covering their heating,
cooling, or electric bills
"Although the economic downturn has been tough for
many Americans, few groups have been as hurt as our nation's seniors,"
said Daniel O'Connell, chairman of The Senior Citizens League. "Too many
seniors are no longer living on a fixed income, but rather a shrinking
income."
Almost 70 percent of beneficiaries depend on Social
Security for 50 percent or more of their income. Social Security is the
sole source of income for 15 percent of beneficiaries.
TSCL Still Pushing for Emergency COLA
TSCL supports the Emergency COLA Bill (H.R. 3557),
introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC). The bill would provide a COLA
for 2010 equal to the average of the COLA over the past ten years. That
average is roughly three percent.
The survey was conducted through print and
electronic surveys over a two-month period from December 15, 2009
through February 12, 2010. The survey had 2,086 respondents aged 65 and
over. Full survey results are available at
http://www.seniorsleague.org/.
With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens
League, claims it is one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors
groups. Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to
educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as
U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens
have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is an affiliate of
The Retired Enlisted Association.
Feb. 16, 2010 - A majority of seniors are receiving
a smaller Social Security check this year than in 2009, according to an annual survey of elderly Americans, released earlier today
by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). This is not a big
surprise, however, since there was no cost-of-living increase in Social Security,
while Medicare costs did increase for 2010.
Action stops insurance increase for about 27% of
senior citizens, others protected already; Seniors wont see COLA for
2010
