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Rising Medicare premiums will soon consume the entire Social Security COLA that seniors receive each year, warns one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups.
According to a new analysis performed for TREA Senior Citizens League, Medicare Part B premium increases will consume the entire amount of the COLA in as little as five years. But that doesn't include Part D premiums.
Seniors who have Part D premiums automatically deducted from their Social Security benefits could see the amount they receive in Social Security in 2007 reduced if their drug plan premiums increase.
Social Security recipients would receive a more fair and adequate COLA if it were based on a "seniors" Consumer Price Index that more accurately reflects the portion of income that seniors spend on health care costs.
By: Stacey Moore
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