Q: Has the government considered raising the earnings limit, given the financial strain many seniors are facing? Why does COLA have to be tied to the earnings limit?
A: The method used to determine the Social Security earnings limit and cost-of-living adjustments are governed by the same law, and are based on the CPI-W. Because the CPI-W has stayed in negative territory, no adjustments were made in 2010, and none will be made in 2011.
