As Social Security Administration Announces No Social Security Cost-of-Living-Adjustment for Next Year

Today, the Department of Labor announced that Social Security recipients will not receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2011. The COLA is automatically calculated using data on inflation published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke will move forward with House Democrats to push legislation that will provide Social Security recipients with a one-time $250 payment.

“The lingering effects of the worst economy since the Great Depression means that Americans who need Social Security to survive can’t afford to tread water,” said Rep. Clarke. “That is why I am proud to join my congressional colleagues in working to quickly enacting H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act, to provide a $250 one-time payment to about 54 million Americans in lieu of no increase in their monthly income.”

Seniors should also be aware that current law protects most beneficiaries from any increase in their Part B Medicare premium if there is no cost of living increase. Since there will be no cost of living increase next year, most beneficiaries will not experience an increase in their Part B Medicare premium for the upcoming year.

“The President has already budgeted for this and we can do this in a fiscally responsible way. We can’t leave seniors on Main Street behind as we begin this recovery. Instead of helping seniors, Republicans, backed by their allies on Wall Street, are threatening to privatize and cut Social Security, just as they tried to do under President Bush,” added Congresswoman Clarke.

“I will continue to fight on behalf of our senior citizens who depend on social security to survive, particularly during these rough economic times,” concluded Rep. Yvette D. Clarke.

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