Look for a 2019 Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) to be between 2.8 and 3 percent, calculates Grumpy Editor.
That compares with 2 percent for 2018.
The official tally will be released Oct.11.
A big question is: Will there be a boost in Medicare Part B premiums, as in 2018, that bites into a COLA increase. Part B covers doctors' visits and outpatient services.
Seniors faced with higher costs in vital areas such as health care, utilities, car insurance, groceries and travel will welcome a boost.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics averages consumer price indexes from July, August and September to determine next year’s COLA for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients.
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...
GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS GETS SCANT COVERAGE. The consumer confidence index reaches an 18-year high, climbing to 138.4 in September from 134.7 in August. That’s the highest since September, 2000. Meanwhile, U.S. economy racks up the best performance in nearly four years, with gross domestic product (GDP) growing at a robust annual rate of 4.2 percent in the second quarter.
MISINFORMATION IS "CANCER." New owner of the Los Angeles Times, billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, advocates for a change in how people consume news on social media, calling misinformation and how it's spread the "cancer of our time."
CADDIE HQ BACK TO DETROIT. General Motors’ is moving its Cadillac headquarters back to Detroit after four years in New York. Triggering the move is management wants Cadillac leaders to be closer to vehicle design and engineering.
D.C.'s SHUTDOWN SAGA CONTINUES. Latest periodic cry of government shutdown ends when Congress last Wednesday approves a $854 billion bill to keep government open through Dec. 7. So look for more talk about government shutdown in late October.
HALF OF TOP 10 TV SHOWS INVOLVE FOOTBALL. What moves Americans to TV viewing? Football. With the top 10 shows in the Sept. 10-16 period, five spotlighted football, grabbing first, third, fifth, seventh and eighth spots. Always high-ranking “60 Minutes” comes in at No. 2.
'DONUTS' DISAPPEARS. Dunkin’ Donuts is dropping Donuts from its name because of the chain’s increased focus on beverages. The shorter name takes effect in January.
CHINESE BLOCK U.S. SHIP TO HONG KONG. While Hong Kong has been a traditional port of call for U.S. Navy ships, the Chinese government denies the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp a visit, causing a fresh U.S.-China chill.
TED TURNER SAYS CURB POLITICS ON CNN. Ted Turner, CNN founder, says he still occasionally watches the network he started nearly four decades ago, although he thinks it's a little heavy on politics.
