What Could the New Social Security Cost of Living Rate and the Medicare Part B Premiums Increase Mean to You?

By Donald Lyons, CFP®, NSSA® | Published: October 2023

Social Security’s 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was one for the record books at 8.7% marking the biggest adjustment in more than 40 years. It provided many retirees with a much-needed reprieve from the impact of decades of high inflation. Social Security’s COLA will not be as generous for 2024 at 3.2%. While this increase is larger than the historical average over the past 20 years, it comes from lower inflation and the Fed’s aggressive interest rate increases. Additionally, 2024 Medicare Part B premiums will increase by $9.80 from $164.90 to $174.70.¹

With more than 71 million Americans receiving social security benefits, most are seniors who will see the increase in benefits come January 2024. With the average Social Security benefit at $1,848, a 3.2% COLA means that beneficiaries will see an increase of more than $50 per month, and in some cases possibly more. The COLA applies even for seniors who aren’t yet collecting benefits, as anyone age 62 and older will automatically receive a boost.²

Maximum Wage Base
The Social Security tax rate of 7.65% (6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare) paid by both employer and employee for a total of 15.3% remains the same. However, the maximum earnings subject to taxes will increase from $160,200 in 2023 to $168,600 in 2024. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to individuals or married couples filing jointly with earned income of more than $200,000 and $250,000, respectively.³

Earnings Limits
The earnings limits for 2024 have also increased. For those collecting Social Security before full retirement age, Social Security will withhold $1.00 in benefits for every $2.00 above $22,320 in earnings or earned income. The previous limit was $21,240. The year an individual reaches full retirement age (specifically the months prior), $1.00 in benefits will be withheld for every $3.00 in earnings above $59,520. Previously, the limit was $56,520.⁴

Medicare Part B Premiums
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid announced that 2024 Medicare Part B Premiums, which are automatically deducted from social security benefits, will increase by $9.80 or 5.9% from $164.90 to $174.70. This is in contrast with last year's decrease of $5.20, meaning the average Social Security beneficiary will see a net increase in monthly benefits of $50.00 or less. The thresholds for Income Related Adjustment Account or IRMAA, which applies to high-income beneficiaries, also increased from $97,000 and $203,000 for single and married couples respectively to $103,000 and $206,000. Medicare open enrollment started October 15, 2023, and ends December 7, 2023.⁵

From a financial planning standpoint, careful consideration should be given to any potential tax implications as it relates to COLA with a keen focus on tax reduction strategies, including but not limited to, charitable giving, especially for those at Retirement Minimum Distribution (RMD) age 73 paying down debt or reinvestment of surplus funds.

To understand more about your social security benefits, and other important details, log on to your own account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

---

^1,3,4 https://www.ssa.gov/cola/
² https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2024.pdf
⁵ https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2024-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles?mod=anlink

---

About the Author – Donald Lyons
Donald Lyons is a Senior Wealth Strategist with Bryn Mawr Trust. With 20 years of experience in wealth management, he provides high-net-worth clients with fiduciary and investment management services. Donald provides comprehensive financial planning focused on income replacement, asset management, incapacity, and estate planning.  He also has experience working with endowments, foundations, and other nonprofit institutions.

Donald is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

---

This communication is provided by Bryn Mawr Trust for informational purposes only. Investing involves the risk of loss and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results and may have been impacted by events and economic conditions that will not prevail in the future. No portion of this commentary is to be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell a security or the provision of personalized investment, tax or legal advice. Certain information contained in this report is derived from sources that Bryn Mawr Trust believes to be reliable; however, Bryn Mawr Trust does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and assumes no liability for any resulting damages.