Social Security recently announced a 1.7 percent cost of living adjustment increase in benefits, effective in January.

Most recipients of Social Security won’t say no to an increase of any size, but the 1.7 percent increase will not amount to much since the annual Medicare increase usually takes the total amount – and sometimes more. Medicare announces its changes after the Social Security Administration.

The press release from Social Security states the average person will have about a $21 monthly increase. That is based on $1,240 a month in Social Security. Do you know many who receive that? I certainly don’t.

According to the latest figures for Maine, the average Social Security benefit is around $940 a month. Applying the cost-of-living increase, these folks will be getting about $16 a month “raise” for next year.

A couple of weeks ago, this column was about a variety of benefit programs that affect senior citizens. Sometimes a long list like this is very confusing and many of us are not familiar with some of the ways we can save. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging provides workshops to help explain and inform those who are interested. This advocacy is what they do best, I think, as I’ve had occasion to use their services in the past. I was overwhelmed at the amount of information provided – and their expertise in sorting through it.

This is Medicare open enrollment time and SMAA is offering two-hour seminars especially on this topic, at several places. These include Scarborough, at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging headquarters; Sanford, at Goodall Hospital; Windham, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and Bridgton at the Bridgton Community Center and Bridgton Hospital.

If you want to find out about your options on Medicare, this is an easy place to start. I’m sure your mailbox, like mine, is full of envelopes from every insurance company that is licensed to do business in Maine. All of them want our income.

In addition to the Medicare seminar, SMAA offers one-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates to help you sort through your Medicare options, review your drug or other plans, answer questions and to help you enroll.

Counseling and information on tax and rent rebate, food stamps, and fuel assistance can be arranged. Call 800-427-7411 or in greater Portland, 396-6500, to register for seminars or make one-on-one appointments with Medicare advocates. If you have access to the Internet (perhaps at your local library), visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.

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