RETIREES EAGER FOR INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Staff Writer

For San Fernando Valley retirees struggling to get by on fixed incomes, the announcement Tuesday that Social Security checks will be increasing by 2.4 percent in January was good news.

But, for many, the biggest increase in three years won't go far enough.

``What raise?'' asked Walter Bryant, 79, a retired truck driver who lives in Pacoima. ``Every time I get a raise, the doctor gets it.''

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average monthly check for retirees will rise by $19 from $785 to $804.

At the Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center in Pacoima, many retirees said the extra dollars will help them pay their rent, groceries and other bills. But others said the adjustment won't be enough to help them meet their daily needs, especially skyrocketing health-care costs.

Ralph P. Martinez, 75, a retired truck driver for the city Department of Water and Power, dismissed the raise.

``It's not a biggie; $19 a month is nothing for a cost-of-living increase,'' said Martinez, who lives in the city of San Fernando. ``Eighty, ninety dollars more a month, then you're talking business. But $19 a month is a drop in the bucket. What can you get for that?''

Helen C. Rosas, 77, a retired nurses' aide who cuts down food bills by eating free meals at the Pacoima senior center, said any additional money will help.

``I could use it in so many ways,'' said Rosas, a widow who receives $454 a month in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks. ``I scrounge for this. I scrounge for that. That would come in so handy.''

Maria R. Williamson, a retired clerk, also said she could use the extra $19 a month.

``I have to stretch my money,'' said Williamson, a widow who receives a $725 monthly Social Security check. ``I'll add it to my rent, telephone bill or groceries or pay for my high blood pressure pills.''

Along with retirees, disabled workers and families whose breadwinners have died will see increases in their Social Security benefits.

The maximum monthly payment for 6.6 million low-income individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income, known as SSI, also will rise by 2.4 percent. That will boost the maximum monthly SSI check by $12 to $512. For a couple, the SSI maximum will go up $18 to $769.

The government also declared that the monthly Medicare premium, deducted from most elderly and disabled Americans' Social Security checks for their coverage, will stay unchanged at $45.50 in 2000.

Since 1975, COLA increases have been automatic, requiring no vote by Congress. It is calculated based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index, the government's inflation yardstick, from the third quarter of one year to the corresponding quarter of the next.

As Ruth D. Sanchez sees it, she can finally get something nice for herself with $19 more in her monthly Social Security check.

``It would be a big help,'' said Sanchez, 79, a retired electronics assembly worker who lives in the city of San Fernando and receives about $700 from Social Security each month.

``I'm on a fixed income, and I haven't bought anything nice for myself in two years.''