Inflation tends to eat away at Social Security benefits. That’s why recipients can receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2026 COLA is 2.8%.
According to an article by The Motley Fool, the COLA is calculated based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). In December, the CPI-W increased 2.6% on an annual basis, so it appears this year’s COLA is outpacing inflation.
But it’s still early in the year. There is concern that tariffs will “drive prices upward as 2026 progresses.” If that happens, “this year’s Social Security COLA could easily be outpaced by inflation, leaving beneficiaries in the lurch.”
Council of Seniors Wants to Give Retirees More Money
We don’t want to see seniors suffer as they have in the past. Those of us here at the Council of Seniors want retirees to receive the money they should have gotten years ago. We are working hard to get Congress to passThe SAVE Benefits Act. This crucial bill will put $581 back in seniors’ pockets to make up for Social Security cost-of-living adjustments that were far too low for years.
Please take a moment and sign our petition today to show your support.