New estimates suggest that Social Security recipients will receive an additional $60 per month next year to assist with the increasing cost of living.
Social Security Income to Experience $60 Monthly Boost
The benefits, distributed to 71 million Americans, increase annually in accordance with inflation, which has proven to be persistently resistant to change.
The average retirement benefit of $1,907 per month would be increased to $1,968, providing an additional $61.
According to Daily Mail, Social Security benefits recipients have already experienced a 3.2 percent boost to their payments from 2023 to 2024. In the previous year, they experienced a significant increase of 8.7 percent, primarily due to high levels of inflation.
For the past 20 years, there has been an annual increase called the "cost-of-living adjustment" (COLA), which has averaged a 2.6 percent rise each year.
The COLA calculation is tied to fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
New data released yesterday reveals a slight decrease in the annual inflation rate, which dropped from 3.5 percent in March to 3.4 percent in April.
Nevertheless, the rate still exceeds the Federal Reserve's target of 2 percent, which must be met before any interest rate cuts are implemented.
What Are the Potential Savings on SSI?
Due to the government's assistance, there are certain limitations on the amount of assets a person receiving SSI can retain, including a savings account.
Starting from 2024, individuals receiving SSI benefits must ensure that their assets do not exceed $2,000, while couples must keep their assets below $3,000, as per Go Banking Rates.
There are certain exceptions that are not factored into your asset value, such as:
Your home and the land it's on, as long as you live there
Each household is limited to one vehicle.
The majority of your personal belongings and household goods
Any property that is not sellable or usable
Information on state SSI supplement payments
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps
Assistance for affordable housing
Claiming rent rebates or property tax refunds
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Additional costs related to disability or visual impairment.
Join the Conversation