CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The new year is bringing new changes for those living on Social Security, including an increase to those payments.
These changes are good news for many.
Not only for those who survive on their checks but for those who use the money for extras in their life.
Two retirees at the Lindale Senior Center think an increase in Social Security checks is coming just in time.
"Yeah, there's a lot of people that are glad that they're getting their raise," one retiree said.
Wanda Gonzales also gets social security and says it's good.
"Because I have 14 prescriptions I take," she said. "And that takes all my check."
Corpus Christi Social Security and disability attorney Kathleen Day that the raise amounts to a $59 increase in monthly benefits for the average retired worker starting this month.
"They are going to go up, 3.2 percent I believe is the number," Day said. "Not as much as last year but anything is better than nothing."
She said it is less than the 8.7 percent increase from last year.
Benefits for people such as widows, widowers and the disabled will be increased.
How much depends on each case.
"If you receive the maximum amount you're going to get almost $5,000 a month, Day said. "So that's one thing we're looking at is how nice. For some of the inflationary things that have been going on, price raises, the cost of living. We're going to get a little bump in 2024."
In 2023, the maximum earnings subject to Social Security taxes was $160,200.
In 2024, the maximum earnings will increase to $168,600, meaning more of a worker's income will be subject to the tax.
The best advice from Gonzales and Day is the same.
"What they should do is call the Social Security office and speak to a manager and all the information they need on that," said Gonzales
There is a question and answer tool you can use at the AARP website.
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