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Retiree checks to rise modestly amid push to expand benefits

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZAL-
DIVAR
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mil- WELL
lions of retirees will get a
modest 1.6% cost-of-living
increase from Social Secu-
rity in 2020, an uptick with
potential political conse-
quences in an election ADJUSTED
year when Democrats are
pushing more generous in-
flation protection.
The increase amounts to
$24 a month for the aver-
age retired worker, ac-
cording to estimates re-
leased Thursday by the
Social Security Administra-
tion. Following a significant
boost this year, the cost-of-
living adjustment, or COLA,
for 2020 reverts to its pat-
tern of moderate gains.
But seniors and advocates
complain that the inflation
yardstick used to deter-
mine the annual adjust-
ment doesn't adequately
reflect their costs, mainly
for health care. In this Oct. 9, 2019 photo, Joe Schiavone, 81, is seen in his yard in West Melbourne, Fla.
The COLA affects house- Associated Press
hold budgets for about 1
in 5 Americans, nearly 70 mula has been amplified near-exclusive concern the discussion about Social retirement policy expert
million people, and that by Democratic presidential with the program’s solven- Security is about how can Charles Blahous, who as a
includes Social Security re- candidates and congres- cy to a focus on expand- we promise more rather former public trustee of So-
cipients, disabled veterans sional Democrats. That’s ing benefits, including but than how can we keep cial Security once helped
and federal retirees. helped to shift the Social not limited to the cost-of- the promises we’re already oversee its finances.
Criticism of the COLA for- Security debate from a living adjustment. ”Most of making,” said conservative Continued on Next Page