2016 Social Security Changes

Social Security Changes in 2016

Here s what to look for in your benefits check and your paycheck deductions

No Raise

Social Security beneficiaries won't get a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) because of low inflation. This will be the third time since 2010 that beneficiaries won't get a raise.

Average Monthly Social Security Benefit

The maximum monthly benefit for workers retiring at full retirement age is $2,639. The average monthly benefit for all retired workers is $1,341.

Goodbye Claiming Strategies

Some popular "file and suspend" claiming strategies that allow married couples to claim larger Social Security benefits than Congress intended will be eliminated. Couples who are eligible now have until the end of April 2016 to enter into a claiming strategy before the loopholes are closed.

AARP Offer Discover Yourself Through Your Work

Discover tools and resources to achieve successful next steps for
today for great job information and discounts

Medicare Premiums Go Up – for Some

With no COLA, 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries won't see an increase in Medicare Part B premiums. For the rest, though, base premiums are going up from $104.90 to $121.80 per month.

Disability Benefits Secured

The trust fund that pays disability benefits was set to run out of reserves in 2016, triggering a 20 percent cut for the nearly 11 million beneficiaries. Instead, over the next three years, more payroll tax money will be diverted to the disability fund, securing full benefits through 2022.

View More Slideshows

— Continue your AARP benefits, discounts, magazine & more Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.