Sure, the news about the economy has been bleak to say the least, but there is some good news for seniors. In January 2009 more than 50 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits will get the largest raise since 1982 -- a 5.8 percent increase.

This Cost of Living (COLA) increase for 2009 is the largest in 25 years. An added piece of good news is that Medicare has announced that the Part B premium for doctor and outpatient services will not go up in 2009.

What does this mean? It means the average Social Security check for individuals, which was $1,090 in 2008, will increase about $63 to $1,153 in 2009. Couples can expect their combined benefits to increase to $1,876, from an average of $1,773. The federal SSI monthly payment for individuals will go from $637 to $674 a month, and payments for couples will go from $956 to $1,011. The disabled worker’s benefit will increase from $1,006 to $1,064 per month.

This is first time since 2000 that the Medicare Part B premium has not increased. The Part B premium will remain at the 2008 level of $96.40 per month for 2009. For the 5 percent of seniors on Medicare who have incomes of $85,000 or more, their Medicare premiums will be increased based on their income level. The Part B deductible will remain at $135 in 2009, but the Part A annual deductible goes up $44 to $1,068 for hospital stays of up to 60 days.

For more information on the Social Security COLA increases, go online to: www.socialsecurity.gov or call (800) 772-1213. For more information about Medicare 2009, call (800) 633-4227, or go online to: www.cms.hhs.gov.

Gloria T. Nye, PhD
St. Landry Parish Extension Agent
LSU AgCenter
1065 Highway 749, Suite A
Opelousas, LA 70570
337-948-0561 (O) 337-948-0564 (F)
Gnye@agcenter.lsu.edu
www.lsuagcenter.com