Lawyer Tells Seniors: WARNING - Medicare Took It

Did you get excited about your 2.8% Social Security raise?

Were you expecting $56 more per month starting January 2026?

I have bad news.

Medicare just took $18 of it back. You are only getting $38.

💰 THE SHOCKING MATH:

WHAT THEY TOLD YOU:
2.8% COLA increase
+$56 per month average
$672 more per year
"Help with inflation!"

WHAT THEY DID NOT TELL YOU:
Medicare Part B went up 9.7% (THREE TIMES FASTER than COLA!)
+$17.90 per month premium increase
Automatically deducted from your Social Security
32% of your COLA = STOLEN

WHAT YOU ACTUALLY GET:
+$38.10 per month (NOT $56!)
Only 68% of promised raise
$456 per year (NOT $672!)
Lost $216 to Medicare

🚨 70 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED:

This is not a mistake. This is not rare. This happens EVERY YEAR.

Medicare costs rise faster than inflation → Medicare premiums jump → Your COLA disappears

2023: Medicare ate portion of 8.7% COLA
2024: Rare year - Medicare decreased slightly
2025: Medicare ate MORE than entire COLA for some seniors
2026: Medicare eating 32% of your 2.8% COLA

⚠️ IT GETS WORSE:

Medicare Part B deductible also went up:
2025: $257 per year
2026: $283 per year
Extra $26 you must pay before coverage starts

You are paying MORE and getting LESS coverage upfront.

❌ WHO IS NOT AFFECTED:

□ Medicaid recipients (state pays Medicare premium)
□ Some Medicare Advantage plans (zero premium)
□ High-income seniors (but you pay EVEN MORE in IRMAA surcharges!)
□ Not on Social Security yet (you pay Medicare separately)

For everyone else: 70 million seniors on both Social Security and Medicare with standard Part B = 32% of COLA STOLEN.

✅ WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. UNDERSTAND IT - Budget for $38, not $56 (reality check)
2. MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS - State may pay your premiums if income qualifies
3. SWITCH TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE - Some have $0 premiums (check networks!)
4. EXTRA HELP PROGRAMS - Help with Part D drug costs
5. ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE - Call your representatives (cap premium increases!)

📋 MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS:

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays ALL Medicare costs
Income limit 2026: ~$13,600 single / $18,300 couple

SLMB: Pays Part B premium only
Income limit: Slightly higher than QMB

QI: Pays Part B premium (limited funding, first come first serve)

QDWI: For disabled workers under 65

Apply through state Medicaid office. If approved, premiums paid retroactively and you keep FULL COLA!

🔥 REAL EXAMPLE:

Margaret, age 72, Ohio:
Expected: +$58 from COLA
Medicare increase: -$18
Part D increase: -$2
Net gain: +$38
Rent increase: -$50
RESULT: She is WORSE OFF despite "raise"

📞 NEED HELP?

Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-677-1116 (free help, program connections)
State Medicaid Office: Apply for Medicare Savings Programs
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213

💬 DROP YOUR STATUS:

□ I did not know Medicare was eating my COLA
□ I got $38, not $56 - angry!
□ I qualify for Medicare Savings Programs?
□ This happens every year?!

SHARE with every senior on Social Security and Medicare! 70 million people need to know their COLA is being stolen.

#SocialSecurity #Medicare #COLA #SeniorLawDesk #PartB #COLAIncrease #MedicarePremiums #SeniorsScammed #Retirement #FixedIncome

⚖️ DISCLAIMER: Educational only. Not financial or legal advice. Amounts shown are 2026 standard rates. High-income seniors pay IRMAA surcharges. Medicare Savings Programs have state-specific income and asset limits. Information current Jan 2026.