Social Security Announces COLA for 2009

The Social Security Administration announced a 5.9% Cost of Living Adjustment ("COLA") for the coming year. This increase is the largest COLA since 1982. This is contrasted with the 2.8% increase Social Security adopted last year.

Other changes include the following:

• It will take $1,090 in earnings to earn one Quarter of Coverage in the Social Security System;
• If a non-blind person claiming disability earns $980 per month in 2009, they will be presumed to be engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (i.e. earning too much to qualify for disability that month). A blind person may earn up to $1,640 per month.
• Trial work period caps are being raised to $700 per month.
  

SSI monthly benefits will increase from $637 per month to $674 per month for an individual.

The full list of changes can be found at ssa.gov or at 73 Fed.Reg. 64651 (Oct. 30, 2008).



Copyright (c) 2008 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.