David Lerner Associates: 2015 Social Security and Medicare Figures

New figures announced

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that Social Security and SSI beneficiaries will get a 1.7 % cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2015. According to the SSA's announcement, after the COLA, the approximated average monthly retirement benefit payable in January 2015 will be $1,328.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has also announced next year's Medicare costs. The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium will be $104.90 in 2015, the same as in 2014. However, beneficiaries with greater incomes (individuals with taxable incomes of over $85,000 and couples with taxable incomes of over $170,000) will pay more than $104.90 per month because they must pay an income-related surcharge.

Other important Social Security and Medicare figures are listed below.

2015 Social Security figures

• The amount of taxable earnings subject to the Social Security tax (called the maximum taxable earnings limit) will increase to $118,500 from $117,000 in 2014.
• The annual retirement earnings test exempt amount for beneficiaries under full retirement age will increase to $15,720 from $15,480 in 2014. If a beneficiary has earnings that exceed the exempt amount, $1 in benefits will be withheld for each $2 in earnings above the exempt amount.
• The annual retirement earnings test exempt amount that applies during the year a beneficiary reaches full retirement age will increase to $41,880 from $41,400 in 2014. If a beneficiary has earnings that exceed this amount, $1 in benefits will be withheld for each $3 in earnings above the exempt amount.
• The amount of earnings required to earn one Social Security credit will increase to $1,220 from $1,200 in 2014.

2015 Medicare figures

• The Medicare Part B deductible will be $147, the same as in 2014.
• The monthly Medicare Part A premium for those who need to buy coverage will cost up to $407, down from $426 in 2014. However, most people don't pay a premium for Medicare Part A.
• The Medicare Part A deductible for inpatient hospitalization will be $1,260, up from $1,216 in 2014. Beneficiaries will pay an additional daily co-insurance amount of $315 for days 61 through 90, up from $304 in 2014, and $630 for stays beyond 90 days, up from $608 in 2014.
• Beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities will pay a daily co-insurance amount of $157.50 for days 21 through 100 in a benefit period, up from $152 in 2014.

For more information on costs and benefits related to these programs, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and www.medicare.gov.

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