A majority (54%) of retirees called the COLA insufficient, and only 25% thought that benefits increased by an appropriate amount. What's more, 81% of survey respondents said that the COLA won't help them keep up with essential living expenses. When we look at the types of inflation that impact seniors the most, it isn't hard to see why.

Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment is expected to shrink in 2026 and could be the lowest increase seen in a decade.

Key Takeaways For 2026, the Senior Citizens League predicts a smaller cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits compared to last year.They estimate that the COLA will be 2.1% in 2026, which is down from 2.

Anyone who has been collecting Social Security benefits for a few years knows that the 2025 COLA is smaller than what they have grown accustomed to receiving. The 2.5% increase is well below the 3.2% bump received last year and only a fraction of the 2023 COLA of 8.7%. However, this isn't the big problem.

Key Points Social Security benefits got a 2.5% COLA in 2025. That raise is already trailing inflation. If you’re struggling, it may be time to rethink your spending, downsize, relocate, or go back to work.