President Regan’s “…nine most terrifying words in the English language – I’m from the government and I’m here to help” quote is still true.
From October 15 to December 7 every year is the Annual Enrollment Period, where you can change certain things about your Medicare. The deluge from “agents” (read: sharks) has the one upside that you can’t say you didn’t know about it.
The attempts to shock or scare people into changing things that may not be to their benefit can be overwhelming.
This is also when the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment for the next year is announced.
I just looked at the damage.
The Cost of Living Adjustment this year is a paltry 3.2 percent, when my real world cost of living has gone up by at least 10 percent on groceries, and 30 percent on gasoline. Neither of which are included in the official figures.
The premium for Medicare part B has a $10 / month increase. My agent tells me that part G generally goes up 3 to 7 percent yearly. I don’t know what the part D premium increase will be yet. I expect that my COLA will be swallowed up by increased Medicare costs.
A third of my social security income goes right back out to pay for my Medicare. I can’t do anything about it, but at least I have the coverage.