Social Security Benefit Cuts in 2004

[Amy6627]

My parents are in their late 70's and they have had their monthly check cut by $75 each ($150 per month). We can not get a straight answer from anyone as to why this happened. This has not happened to any of their friends. They live in California. Has anyone heard about this happening to anyone else? Or was this an isolated incident?

[juajen]

1. They should have received a notification of change in benefits in Nov.

When we got ours, it showed a cost of living increase. Of course, my husband's medicare payment went up, but we still had an increase, certainly not a decrease.

[Lugnut]

2. Medicare premium

The monthly Medicare premium was increased to $78.00. I'm just guessing because my mother's benefit reflected the change. Your parents should have each received a folder from SS detailing their 2005 monthly benefit amount less the Medicare premium.

[Amy6627]

3. Thank you so much for the info! n/t