social security benefits to up by 1.5%

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SOCIAL_SECURITY_COLA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-10-30-08-59-32

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Social Security benefits for nearly 58 million people will increase by 1.5 percent next year, the government announced Wednesday.

The increase is among the smallest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. It is small because consumer prices haven't gone up much in the past year.

The annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is based on a government measure of inflation that was released Wednesday morning.

The COLA affects benefits for more than one-fifth of the country. In addition to Social Security payments, it affects benefits for millions of disabled veterans, federal retirees and people who get Supplemental Security Income, the disability program for the poor.

[brer cat]

1. The government measure of inflation

doesn't look like my "breadbasket." Maybe cat food hasn't increased as much as the groceries I usually purchase.

[Glitterati]

2. Or electricty for my home, or natural gas to heat my home

or the prescription meds I take.

The list of necessities excluded from this "breadbasket" is longer than what IS included.

[liberal_at_heart]

5. The way they calculate inflation is ridiculous. Congress lives in a bubble.

[marmar]

3. k/r

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. That gallon of milk I buy every three days sure as heck went up "much" in the past year.