This brief examines how Medicare Part B premiums for many beneficiaries are affected by the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits.  Based on the most recent projections from the Medicare and Social Security Trustees, the brief examines the interactions between the two programs that resulted in some Medicare beneficiaries paying significantly higher Part B premiums in 2010 and 2011 when there was no Social Security COLA, followed by a drop in premiums in 2012. 

Issue Brief (.pdf)

Previous Versions:

December 2010 (.pdf)

October 2009 (.pdf)

 May 2009 (.pdf)