Seniors call Social Security raise deceiving

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - It came as good news to seniors across the country. Social Security recipients will be getting a raise beginning January 1. But for some Fort Wayne seniors, the announcement isn't exactly the entire story.

Social Security benefits will go up 3.6 percent in 2012. On average, Social Security recipients get $1,082 a month. The increase means they'll get about $39 more every month.

It was the topic of conversation at Coventry Meadows, a senior housing community in Fort Wayne. Two social security recipients there expect much of the increase to be eaten up by rising Medicare costs.

“We're already paying like $98.50 a month out of our Social Security for our Medicare,” said Neva Downie, an 88-year-old Social Security recipient. “Now if it goes up…we'll be lucky if we get $20 a month.”

The last Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was in 2009. Payments went up 5.8 percent back then.