Category: Social Security
Dec. 5, 2024 - The mail arrived this week and there were our Social Security benefit statements, right when promised. With a modest COLA for 2026 in the offing, we expected to see a small increase in our 2026 benefit.
Not everyone's situation will be the same
The cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is 2.8%. That's about $56 on the average monthly Social Security benefit of just over $2,000. People who have higher earning records would see more dollars from that COLA - someone with a $4000 monthly benefit would get a $112 bump.
The standard Part B Medicare premium goes from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026. That is a $17.90 increase (9.6%). So someone with the average monthly benefit nets $38.10/month more in 2026 than in 2025, which reduces the net COLA to a 1.9% increase. Sadly, about half the rate of inflation in the U.S.
The problem for some taxpayers (a happy one in the big picture) is that their Modified Adjusted Gross Income might go over the married filing jointly threshold of $218,000. That triggers bigger IRMAA supplements for Parts B and D., or $202.90 in additional Medicare premiums. If someone goes from being under the MAGI threshold one year to over the next, that will more than wipe out any net gain from the SS COLA. Their net 2026 SS benefit will be less than in 2025. People with even higher MAGI will pay even more extra.
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Published on December 4, 2025
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Category: Uncategorized
December 8, 2025 -- In my 19 years of writing these Topretirements Blogs there have been so many great questions and comments from our Members. So I have had plenty of time to think about the best ways to plan for retirement, and the worst ways. Tackling the negative side, here are my two worst retirement mistakes. In the grand scheme of things, they are not so bad, compared to many worse ones I could have made.
Not contributing enough to Roths.
At the time it seemed like a no brainer - contribute to my IRA or 401(k) plan so that I always got the maximum match, or put in the most I could afford if there wasn't a match. Put in $10,000, get a $10,000 deduction on our income tax. But, as I am finding out in my late 70's, that bird comes home to roost in the form of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
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Published on December 8, 2025
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Category: General Retirement Issues
December 17, 2025– I am sad to report that the last issue of our Best Places newsletter was sent out this morning. Unfortunately, and for a lot of reasons, visits to our site have slowed down dramatically in the past few years. That means that it is no longer economically…
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Published on December 16, 2025
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Category: Uncategorized
Dec. 25, 2025 — Hoping that you and yours are enjoying a wonderful and peaceful holiday today and through the season. Let’s all try to remember why we are celebrating these days, and work to keep that wonderful spirit alive in our daily dealings. Loved this quote from Heather Cox…
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Published on December 25, 2025
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Category: Medicare
December 28, 2025 — Medicare Part B premiums are going up in 2026 – the increase is just under 10%, from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026. That increase is well over the Social Security COLA of 2.6%. Another part of the premium outlook for 2026 is how much…
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Published on December 28, 2025
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