Social Security Benefits To Increase in 2019

December 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Social Security benefits will increase 2.8 percent in 2019, the largest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in seven years.

The COLA will increase the average Social Security retirement benefit by $39 a month or roughly $468 a year. The average single retired Social Security recipient is expected to receive $1,422 in December 2018 before increasing to $1,461 a month later. The COLA affects household budgets for about 1 in 5 Americans, including Social Security beneficiaries, disabled veterans and federal retirees.

AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins said, “The 2.8 percent COLA brings needed income security to those Social Security beneficiaries and their families who depend on their earned, modest benefits. The COLA is particularly important for the tens of millions of families who depend on Social Security for all or most of their income. Unfortunately, the cost of living increase may not adequately cover their expenses that rise faster than inflation including health, prescription drug, utility and housing costs.”

Meanwhile premiums and deductibles for Parts A and B will increase slightly in 2019.. Standard monthly premiums will cost $1.50 more: $135.50, up from $134 in 2018.

Because premiums are based on income, beneficiaries with annual incomes greater than $85,000 will pay more ($189.60 for individuals with incomes between $85,000 and $107,000, for instance).

Annual deductibles will rise $2 next year to $185, up from this year’s $183.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient care and doctor visits; Part A covers hospitalization and some nursing home and home health care services. The inpatient deductible for hospital stays will increase by $24, to $1,364, next year.

Social Security is financed by a tax on workers’ wages. Next year, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase from $128,400 to $132,900.

December 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

After winning their first game of the Smokey Mountain Classic at Gatlinburg last week the DCHS Lady Tigers lost two straight and finished 1-2 in the tournament .

The Lady Tigers defeated Clay County, Kentucky 51 to 42 on Thursday but lost to Station Camp on Friday 43 to 36 and to Gatlinburg Pittman 53 to 48 on Saturday.

DeKalb County is now 11-4 on the season.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Friday, January 4: White County-Home 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 8: Upperman*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, January 11: Macon County*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 15: Smith County*-Away 6 p.m.
Friday, January 18: York Institute*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22: Livingston Academy*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, January 25: Watertown*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29: Cannon County*-Home 6 p.m.

Friday, February 1: Upperman*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5: Macon County*-Home 6 p.m.
Thursday, February 7: Smith County*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, February 8: Monterey-Home 6 p.m.

December 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A 20 year old Smithville man was injured in a pickup truck crash Friday night at 6:43 p.m. on Highway 56 south.

Trooper Robert Melching of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Benito Drew Castorena was driving south on Highway 56 in a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado and attempting to pass another vehicle in a no passing zone when he lost control. The truck ran off the roadway to the left, struck a utility pole and tree, and then overturned before coming to final rest off the roadway upright facing north.

Castorena was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was cited for violation of the seat belt law, improper passing, and failure to exercise due care.

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