Seniors Expect More: Social Security Boost Falls Short

Social Security Set to Increase by 2.8% in 2026

The Social Security Administration has announced that the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will rise by 2.8% in 2026, which equates to an average monthly increase of over $56 for retirees, officials confirmed on Friday.

This adjustment will benefit approximately 71 million Social Security recipients starting in January, while around 7.5 million individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income will see their increased payments beginning on December 31.

Originally scheduled for announcement last week, the update was postponed due to the recent federal government shutdown.

Understanding the Cost-of-Living Adjustment

The COLA is funded through payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers, up to a specified annual salary. For 2026, this cap is set to rise to $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025.

In 2025, recipients enjoyed a 2.5% increase, while in 2024, they received a more substantial 3.2% boost after a notable 8.7% adjustment in 2023, prompted by the highest inflation rates seen in four decades.

The modest increase for 2026 suggests a trend of moderating inflation. The Social Security Administration will inform beneficiaries of their new payment amounts via mail in early December.

Concerns Among Seniors About Rising Costs

Many seniors feel that the upcoming COLA adjustment is insufficient to meet their everyday expenses. Linda Deas, an 80-year-old resident of Florence, South Carolina, expressed her concerns, stating, "It does not match the affordability crisis we are having right now."

Deas, a former information systems network operations specialist who relocated to South Carolina from New York in 2022 to be near family, reported a $400 increase in her monthly rent over the past two years.

She also mentioned that other everyday costs, such as auto insurance and grocery prices, have surged. "If you have been into the supermarkets lately, you will notice how prices are going up, not down," she remarked.

Linda's sentiments echo a broader trend among older Americans, as highlighted by recent polling from AARP. The survey revealed that only 22% of individuals aged 50 and above believe that a 3% COLA for Social Security recipients is adequate to cope with rising living costs, while a significant 77% disagree. This feeling transcends political party lines, according to AARP's findings.

For Deas, the MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that an individual living alone in Florence would incur annual expenses of approximately $10,184 for housing, $3,053 for healthcare, and $3,839 for food.

AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan emphasized that the COLA serves as "a lifeline of independence and dignity for tens of millions of older Americans," yet acknowledged that even with this annual inflation-adjusted increase, older adults continue to face difficulties in covering basic expenses.

Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano commented on the situation, stating that the upcoming adjustments aim to provide support, but the ongoing economic pressures are still a significant concern for many beneficiaries.

Conclusion

As Social Security payments are set to rise by 2.8% next year, many seniors remain apprehensive about whether this increase is sufficient to keep pace with the escalating costs of living. With a significant majority of older adults indicating that the current COLA does not adequately address their financial challenges, it is clear that the conversation about social security and inflation remains a pressing issue.