Captain and kwami !

once again another poster had to run for his life

The government says there will be no benefit increase next year for millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans, and federal retirees. It's just the third time in 40 years that payments will remain flat, with all three times occurring since 2010. And there's more bad news: The lack of a benefit increase means that many older people could face higher Medicare costs, an issue that has advocates lobbying Congress. By law, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is based on a government measure of inflation. This inflation gauge—which measures price changes for food, housing, clothing, transportation, energy, medical care, recreation, and education—came out Thursday, and the main reason for no benefits increase next year is low gas prices. As of Wednesday, AAA said the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.30, about 90 cents less than a year ago.

Oscar Pistorius will leave prison after serving about a year for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. A South African parole board has ruled that the athlete should be moved to house arrest on Tuesday, reports the BBC. Sentenced to five years for culpable homicide, or manslaughter, Pistorius was initially scheduled for release this past summer before that decision was blocked by the country's justice minister, who said it was made "prematurely." Pistorius will now serve the remainder of his sentence under "correctional supervision," the board says.

Granger backs pay  hikes for ministers

Extras aren't just exclusive to full-time positions anymore. With a part-time job with one of these big companies, you're in for some pretty awesome benefits. Wisebread, via Christian Science Monitor, identifies nine companies; here are six standouts:

    Starbucks: Workers who log at least 20 hours a week enjoy health-care coverage that typically covers things like hospitalization, lab tests, emergency care, prescriptions, and mental health treatment, plus dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage. There's even adoption assistance.
    Whole Foods: On top of the killer 20% employee discount, part-time workers are eligible for "significant" health benefits, per Wisebread. Under the company's "Personal Wellness" program, workers can also earn $1,800 a year to cover health expenses.

    UPS: "Amazing benefits," declares Wisebread. Indeed, here, all part-time workers get the same benefits slate as their full-time counterparts, which includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. The company also has a tuition assistance program.
    Costco: Once you hit 600 hours or 180 days of work, you're eligible for health, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage, plus childcare assistance and life insurance. Spouses and children can be enrolled, too.
    REI: Part-time workers under the REI Flex Plan pay just 15% of the premium for medical and dental coverage; that's if you work 20 hours. Work only 15, and you'll still pay only 40% of the premium. REI also offers prizes and discounts to employees who complete "health and stewardship activities."
    Lowe's: On your first day at Lowe's, you're eligible for medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, life insurance, critical illness, 401K, and an employee stock purchase plan.

Didn't these guys know the pay

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