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Mrs. Goofy and I received our annual statement from the Social Security Administration yesterday, telling us what the inflation increase would be and what next years checks would look like.

We’re both getting less.

The inflation increase is small, but the Medicare premium increase to be deducted is large, large enough to swamp the inflation increase. I have a Humana plan (not Gold), and the Mrs. has straight Medicare, and we’re both getting less.

For us it doesn’t matter, that income is a small part of how we live these days, but I suspect there are going to be a LOT of people for whom this will come as a shock - and I note that these statements were sent out before the Senate rejection of ACA subsidies, so for an increasingly large segment of the populace there’s about to be an eye opener. (I am somewhat surprised that they managed to get the statements out at all, DOGE and all.)

Anyway, let’s watch that “approval rating” notch down a couple more points; couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

I'm like you, the check will be less, but it doesn't affect day to day life(yet).

From a bigger picture view, really having trouble envisioning how the earnings of
both small and large companies are going to grow in 2026. The American consumer is
getting hit from all sides. Less disposable income for purchases due to increased
healthcare premiums. Prices still rising due to an inept tariff policy. Consumer
spending makes up approximately 70% of GDP, that is a big number. Are there enough
of the wealthy in America to pick up the spending slack that almost has to be coming,
from the middle and lower class bloc of spenders ?

Wall St hates uncertainty, and we have uncertainty in spades.
Wall St loves growth, but the engine of growth ( the consumer ) is getting
throttled.

Oh well, I guess we can just keep on piling into AI tech companies, what can go
wrong ???

My non-ACA HD plan, solo, also offered on the exchange went up over 15% to $720/mo. With a $7500 deductible and a cool $10K annual OOP max. We are slightly over the limit for a subsidy because I have to cover our living expenses with SS and a moderate pension. Only used pre-tax 401Ks and traditional IRAs for retirement savings, so no opportunity to use intercst's long-noted coool approach.

Medicare charge for DW up 9.7% to $203. Like Goofy said, a 2.8% inflation increase in the face of that, doesn't work.

Our dental insurance is going up to $110/mo for the two of us for a cleanings-only plan with 50% xray.

Oil still priced at $3.70 a gallon despite prices at the barrel down 23% YOY.

Grocery prices... hahahaha.

But wait, we can COMPLETELY BELIEVE the posted TTM inflation number of what is it, 3%?

We should be running FIRESim calculations with twice the inflation rate.

It's distressing to think after 40 years of saving and living slightly below our means with good salaries, it's not SORR or a "significantly below market average rate of return" that's going to keep us working into our 70s, it's our broken system.

FC

Connecticut has 4 or 5 billion in surplus. We are using 70 million to offset the federal aca cut.

My non-ACA HD plan, solo, also offered on the exchange went up over 15% to $720/mo. With a $7500 deductible and a cool $10K annual OOP max.

Word of warning, check to make sure what the max expenditure is on your non-ACA plan. My first year off corporate health care I too went non-ACA, with what looked like a reasonable max OOP for me. What was hidden in the fine details was the max financial responsibility on the part of the insurer of $150K/year. I went ACA the following year after finding that out, knowing that there were minimum coverage requirements for any ACA plan and fewer surprises.

My ACA Bronze HD plan went from about $660/mo to over $880. No subsidy for me and that's my preference. I certainly realize I never fully appreciated the corporate provided health care we used to have before having to deal with this on my own. Once again in 2025 I went for my annual check up, mammogram, and covid shot, no meds. I am expecting more in 2026, having screwed up my knee and facing possible surgery. Looking to see if I can cancel renewal in the Bronze and maybe go for a lower deductible plan, given MRIs and possible surgery.

But the point of my post is that healthcare premiums, courtesy of the subsidies, are going the way higher education costs responded to Federal Student Loan programs. Many years ago, the president of Harvard was asked why they increased their tuition costs so much, to which he responded, "Because we can," explaining further that the loans allowed them to charge more for their desirable service. In some ways, it may be a blessing in disguise that the subsidies are being terminated. Not for those who depend on them, clearly, but because by getting rid of the enablement of covering up the root cause of the problem by providing subsidies, perhaps we can actually focus on the root causes of the healthcare affordability problem. If we don't nip the escalating health care problem in the ever expanding bud, we are in for bigger trouble than we have now.

IP,
not a believer in for profit health care on a basic level

Both of our net Social Security went down when our Medicare is deducted. While we take vanilla Medicare A & B & D with a high deductible medigap plan G+, we get additionally pinged on the Medicare payments due to income level.

True I give up free eyeglasses and subsidized dental work, but we can see any doctor or specialist we want (no networks required) and don't have a cap on expenditures. Why high deductible medigap? Simple - in round numbers it has a $2,700 deductible in return for a $2,500 lower premium. So my maximum incremental loss is $200, but we haven't spent $1,000 out of pocket per year, so far. So, in return for the periodic angst of continually paying out of pocket, we garner substantial savings.

The guys running the show right now could care less about Social Security and likely only keep it around because they can't figure out how to kill it without losing too many votes. The same is true when it comes to the accuracy of the formula we are using to calculate inflation.

Jeff

Oh they've figured out how to ditch all of it and blame the Democrats.

Default and say we warned you we couldn't afford it.

Our dental insurance is going up to $110/mo for the two of us for a cleanings-only plan with 50% xray.

Why would you pay $110/month for a cleaning only plan???? I bet if you went directly to your dentist, they would take under 100/month for cleanings plus discounts on other work excluding complex stuff like crowns. Or you can just negotiate cash pay for each time you go to the dentist for a cleaning and periodic X-rays.

I also found over the years that a dental hygienist does a MUCH better job cleaning my teeth than the dentist did. Nowadays, the dentist pops in after my cleaning for a quick peek after the hygienist is done. I see the dentist two or three times a year for 2-3 minutes each time. But the hygienist spends 45 minutes doing a good cleaning. Also, every few years I have a deep cleaning (they go deeper under the gums) that takes 2 hours spread across 2 sessions. Though ever since starting to use an electric vibrating toothbrush, I may not need the deep cleanings anymore, or certainly not as often, because the areas just under the gumline are kept much cleaner now.

Why would you pay $110/month for a cleaning only plan???? I bet if you went directly to your dentist, they would take under 100/month for cleanings plus discounts on other work excluding complex stuff like crowns. Or you can just negotiate cash pay for each time you go to the dentist for a cleaning and periodic X-rays.

Mark,

I'm not buying dental insurance, but my dentist retired. The couple who took over the practice want over $500 per visit for a cleaning and dentist's exam, with X rays.

That would be over $1000 per year. The $110/month is $1220, you get something of a discount on other procedures.

I may not need the deep cleanings anymore, or certainly not as often, because the areas just under the gumline are kept much cleaner now.

Have you considered using a "water pik"?

Steve

I'm not buying dental insurance, but my dentist retired.

I lucked out on that score. My dentist is only a few years younger than me. But, his son graduated from dental school a few years ago, and joined the practice. I have already been handed off to the son.

Steve

Also, every few years I have a deep cleaning (they go deeper under the gums) that takes 2 hours spread across 2 sessions. Though ever since starting to use an electric vibrating toothbrush, I may not need the deep cleanings anymore, or certainly not as often, because the areas just under the gumline are kept much cleaner now.

Add a waterpik to your nightly routine. It's crazy how much it can get out from between your teeth, even after a swish-n-spit and brushing.

IP

I hadn't checked the marketplace plans yet. Oops! as low as $30/month!
I've been paying for 4 months for Delta's plan from my last job on COBRA. No wonder.
I'll have to ask them how much they extort / charge for each cleaning and a once a year xray. It may be an option, as long as we continue to have healthy teeth.

my dentist retired. The couple who took over the practice want over $500 per visit for a cleaning and dentist's exam, with X rays.

That's a ripoff. Find a different dentist. Around here, there are plenty of dentists that advertise $75 for first cleaning, probably $150 or so for second cleaning. And for gods sake, don't get an X-ray every time! As an adult, an X-ray every 2 to 5 years is sufficient.

Have you considered using a "water pik"?

Yes. I purchased one of those handheld water pik things. I use it every few days, and I use floss the other days. It works pretty well.

Mark,

I know. The wish for $500 is to pay for buying out the last dentist, who was far less expensive.

I have an appointment elsewhere. The next dentist is the reasonable for CT $286 for the exam and cleaning. No Xray.

CT is expensive. Any cheap dentist, well, you get what you pay for.

I have already been handed off to the son.

Dad, being a doctor, saw a dentist for free for years. Then saw his son at half price for years. The son retired last year. Dad had thousands of dollars of work done as a one-off before the son retired from the dental practice.

Dad had bad teeth. I have very good teeth and need no work at all.

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