Buying power of seniors down 32 percent since 2000

I look for positive things to post, I really do, but these are difficult times in a difficult economy. A recently released annual survey reveals that the buying power of seniors has declined 32 percent since the year 2000. From Reuters: WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Seniors have lost almost one-third of their buying power since 2000, according to the Annual Survey of Senior Costs, released today by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). TSCL is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors advocacy groups. To view the multimedia assets associated with
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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seniors-have-lost-32-percent-of-their-buying-power-since-2000-122205249.html In most years, seniors receive a small increase in their Social Security checks, intended to help them keep up with the costs of inflation. But since 2000, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has increased just 31 percent, while typical senior expenses have jumped 73 percent, more than twice as fast. In 2011, for the second consecutive year, seniors received no COLA. Prior to 2010, seniors had received a COLA every year since 1975, when the automatic COLA was introduced. Seniors are forecast to receive a very small COLA next year.]]>