Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today.  On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.

More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2024.  Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 29, 2023.  (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits).  

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $168,600 from $160,200.

Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.  Individuals who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail.  People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message–such as their COLA notice–waiting for them in my Social Security.

People will need to have a my Social Security account by November 14 to see their COLA notice online.  To get started, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Information about Medicare changes for 2024 will be available at www.medicare.gov.  For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new 2024 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated.  The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

North Brunswick honored United States Army veteran Frederick F. Battaglia by dedicating Oakwood Place and Glenridge Avenue as Battaglia Way on Monday, October 2.

Frederick was born in Glenwood, New Jersey in 1920 to Italian immigrants, and later moved to the Bronx, New York. Fred was the youngest of six children, four sisters and one brother.

 Frederick enlisted in the US Army during World War II in 1942, along with his cousins. Fred attended service training at the school of Mechanic Aviation. Fred received medals for Good Conduct, the World War II Victory Medal and the American Theatre.  During his service, Fred was a Maintenance and Crew chief on P-51, P-38, P-39, P- 63, P- 40 and AT. – 6 and AT. – 61. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Fred began working for the Boy Scouts of America which was located in New York City.

The Boy Scouts of America relocated to North Brunswick, New Jersey in 1956, Fred followed and relocated his family. Fred lived in North Brunswick until his passing in 1995 where he and his wife Mary raised their seven children. Fred worked for the Boy Scouts as a data processing manager until 1978 when the Boy Scouts again relocated to Fort Worth, Texas. After the Boy Scouts moved, Fidelity Bank purchased the property and moved their headquarters to this location. Fred was hired by Fidelity and worked there as a computer operator until he retired in 1990.

Fred’s hobbies included wood working and making clocks. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Senior Center. Fred was kind and caring, a religious family man who was always the first to help someone in need.

Fred was extremely proud of his seven children, Mary Boyer,(daughter) Frederick Battaglia, (son) Laura Hansen, (daughter) deceased, Palma Rask, (daughter) Carolyn Battaglia, (daughter) Guy Battaglia, and Joseph Battaglia, (son) who all went on to have successful and productive lives. Fred was blessed to see twelve of his thirteen grandchildren born and sadly he would not see any of the nine great grandchildren born.

We thank and honor Frederick F. Battaglia for his service to our country and community!

For more information on the North Brunswick Veteran Street Sign Program, please visit https://northbrunswicknj.gov/programs_and_service/veteran-street-sign-program-information/.

North Brunswick honored United States Navy veteran Matthew T. Rodakis by dedicating Cherokee Road and Cherokee Place as Rodakis Way and United States Army veteran Charles Piparo and United States Marine Corps veteran Harry J. Rossmann by dedicating Oak Road as Piparo Way and Rossmann Way on Monday, July 24.

Please click on the links below for photo galleries and proclamations.

Rodakis Way

Piparo Way

Rossmann Way

For more information on the North Brunswick Veteran Street Sign Program, please visit https://northbrunswicknj.gov/programs_and_service/veteran-street-sign-program-information/.

Mayor Francis ‘Mac’ Womack, First Lady Carol Womack, Council President Rajesh Mehta, former Mayor Paul Matacera, colleagues and friends gathered at Boyd Ponds on Sunday, June 18 in memory of Bob Hermes, known to all as “Mr. Bob”.

The Annual Township Fishing Derby had an official resolution read by Mayor Womack to rename the Fishing Derby as the Bob Hermes Father’s Day Fishing Derby. Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services Lou Ann Benson shared Bob’s initiative of creating the event decades ago, his love for fishing and sharing his passion with participants.

Bob’s wife, Cathy and sons Robbie and Darren Hermes were in attendance.

Please click on the link below for the event photo gallery.

North Brunswick Township Youth Municipal Alliance students gathered for a culminating event celebrating their community service projects conducted throughout the year on Tuesday, June 13. The students are ranging in grades 6th – 12th. There are approximately 100 students involved in the program.

The students were joined by Council President Rajesh Metha, Detective Seeta Jones, North Brunswick Municipal Alliance member Laura Pelszynski, Youth Alliance Coordinator Heather Tedesco Pasquale and Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services /Municipal Alliance Coordinator LouAnn Benson.

Grant Funds are provided through the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and supporting funding from Mayor Francis Mac Womack III and the North Brunswick Township Council.

North Brunswick honored United States Marine Corps veteran Richard De La Cruz by dedicating Victory Avenue as De La Cruz Way on Monday, June 12.

Richard was born in Peru on October 13, 1982 and lived there for the first five years of his life.

He received his service training in the Infantry Machinegunner Section Leader and Machinegun  Expert Marksman. Richard served the military from November 2000 through November 2008.

He served in armed conflict in Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, Operation Iraqi Freedom combat in March 2003 and Operation Rapid Guardian Kosovo.

Richard’s achievements include Combat Action Ribbon Presidential Unit Citation, Kosovo NATO medal, Kosovo Campaign medal Selective Marine Corps Reserve medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal and Iraqi campaign medal.

Richard obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource, along with Training and Development from Seton Hall University.

He proudly serves the Department of Public Safety for fourteen years, the last six as a detective and has found great reward serving the residents of North Brunswick.

We thank and honor Richard De La Cruz for his service to our country and community!

For more information on the North Brunswick Veteran Street Sign Program, please visit https://northbrunswicknj.gov/programs_and_service/veteran-street-sign-program-information/.