I can't believe inflation is that low. Social Security recipients don't buy many TVs and smart phones but they eat. And food costs keep going up.

Personally I prefer that everyone give up something even if it is $1/month while the fund runs a deficit.

But that is only my preference, it is not what the law says. So the SSA should either make an honest COLA or Congress should change the law. Fake figures will only keep destroying faith in anything the government says.

We are from the government and are here to help you . . . that is, after we manipulate the inflation numbers to fit our needs, and we have big needs.

This will not be the lowest COLA since 1975. The first 2 years of the idiot's regime claimed it zero. We did not get any increase. Us old farts do buy gas. Where do they get these numbers? Don't answer, I know where they get them. From that smelly orifice on their backsides.

They need to have enough money for all those food stamp and cell phone users.

Well, with gasoline, food, electricity, and [natural] gas sharply down thanks to Obama's policies, 1 to 2% is plenty fair.

#1: With due respect, cutting benefits makes no sense at all. The problem is politicians who have turned the program into a piggy bank, made it into a political football, and obstructed every practical, rational, and responsible step to address the long-known structural issues in the program. They need to be held to account, certainly not given yet another pass, much less a pass that takes even a dime from the long-ill-served SS recipients.

Hurry up and give it to me so my supplemental insurance can take it away. I'm peddling backwards.
No the lowest was no COLA with the economic genius Barry Soetoro for two years. You can't get lower than that.

Don't discount the fact that this is an election year and the increase could be quite a bit larger to get the senior vote.

I would gladly give my share to our Iraq and or Afghan vets.

Cola was zero in 2009 and 2010 according to my S/S payment.. Is there no inflation? Check your next trip to the grocery store or gas station!Why don't we have Galvaston TX plan it pays twice what S/S does with ownership!

No more borrowing from the trust funds.

Military pay raises have been below inflation these last four years. My AD USAF husband was asking how come we are having such belt tightening by me- I told him that 4 years of below inflation pay raises really add up and his salary is not what it was four years ago.

You can bet congress padded their retirement package.

Years ago, many of us realized that Social Security was only going to meet a portion of our retirement income needs, and prepared accordingly.

It's just one of the "three pillars." (social security, company pension, private savings)

A small SS increase isn't going to do much to influence many voters.

#5 I find your response perfectly in tune with America thought.

People say they want spending cut but when someone actually says "cut that" they object:

"Oh don't cut that, cut something else. The problem is elsewhere."

I say balance SS receipts and disbursements. Then fix another problem. Then another. Don't worry, you won't run out of problems.

SS and COLA was the topic, that is why I only discussed it. Cuts elsewhere would delight me.

I draw SS. Fortunately I can give it away and do so. And I keep the receipts because I have dealt with the IRS before. I probably still end up paying more income tax for receiving it - haven't run those exact numbers.