The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
October 20, 2011

Social Security Rises, But Medicare Premium Hike Could Negate Gains 
--------------------------------------------------------------------



The U.S. government has announced around 55 million Americans will see
increased social benefits next year. Payments will rise 3.6 percent, the
first such hike since 2009. But the increase could be wiped out by a
parallel hike in Medicare Part B premiums expected to be unveiled next
week.



.