Upcoming activities
• Annual Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 3, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Kapaa
• Veterans Day Observance, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Veterans Cemetery
• Veterans Museum Fundraiser, Nov. 12, 5:30-9p.m., Kauai Veterans Center
For more information and questions, call 246-1135.
Medicare/TriCare costs in 2019
Adjustments are made annually to both the Social Security benefit and Medicare premiums.
These adjustments are indexed to different inflation measures.
The Social Security COLA is based on the CPI-W index, which measures inflation.
Medicare premiums are based on how much the Medicare program itself grows through its spending on medical services.
The new standard premiums for 2019:
• Part B premium: $135.50 (was $134)
• Part B deductible: $185 (was $183)
• Part A deductible (inpatient) $1,364 (was $1,340)
Premiums for higher-income beneficiaries ($85,000 and above) are:
• Individuals with annual incomes between $85,000 and $107,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $170,000 and $214,000 will pay a monthly premium of $189.60.
• Individuals with annual incomes between $107,000 and $133,500 and married couples with annual incomes between $214,000 and $267,000 will pay a monthly premium of $270.90.
• Individuals with annual incomes between $133,500 and $160,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $267,000 and $320,000 will pay a monthly premium of $352.20.
• Individuals with annual incomes between $160,000 and less than $500,000 and married couples with annual incomes above $320,000 and less than $750,000 will pay a monthly premium of $433.40.
• Individuals with annual incomes above $500,000 and married couples with annual incomes above $750,000 will pay a monthly premium of $460.50.
(SOURCE: http://www.moaa.org/Content/Publications-and-Media/News-Articles/2018-News-Articles/Advocacy/What-You-Will-Pay-in-2019-for-Medicare/TRICARE.aspx)
2019 COLA Increase
It’s official: The 2019 COLA for Military Retired Pay, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuities, Social Security and VA Disability and Survivor Benefits will be 2.8 percent.
It will first appear in the January 2019 checks.
Veterans Day Parade returns to Kapaa
The Kauai Veterans Council invites the public to join them as they honor Kauai’s veterans on Nov. 3 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Beginning at the All Saints Church in Kapaa, the parade will proceed through downtown Kapaa and finish at the Kapaa Beach Park.
Following the parade there will be a brief ceremony to recognize our veterans and enjoy an afternoon of local live entertainment with food and craft vendors.
Veterans Museum fundraiser
The Kauai Veterans Council invites the Kauai community to a “A Night at the Museum” fundraiser scheduled for Nov. 12.
Free admission.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the original “M*A*S*H” movie will be shown starting at 6:30 a.m. Outside food or drinks are not allowed but will be available for purchase. Bring your own lounge chairs (low back please) and/or blankets.
There will also be an encore performance from the Broadway Salute cast, performing songs from “Hamilton,” “South Pacific” and “Miss Saigon.”
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Tony Elliott, Kauai Office of Veterans’ Services, can be reached at 241-3348.
