Stories Related to Social Security Increase Will Be 1.7 Percent Next Year

WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of older Americans who rely on federal benefits will get a 1.7 percent increase in their monthly payments next year, the government announced Wednesday.It's the third year in a row the increase will be less than 2 percent.The annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, affects payments to more than 70 million Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees.