📋 Survey - 2026 Social Security COLA Likely Fails to Offset Rising Prices (AARP Article)

[Fall2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

By Bryan Miller, AARP Research .
Published October 21, 2025.

Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) typically provides retirees with an annual increase in their retirement payment based on a national measure of inflation. In recent years, COLAs have varied significantly: a record 8.7% increase in 2023, followed by more modest adjustments of 3.2% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025.

The goal of the COLA is to help offset rising prices. However, research conducted by AARP in September 2025 shows that older adults feel the projected COLA for 2026 of around 3% is insufficient to do that job. Only 22% of Americans age 50-plus agree that “a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of right around 3% for Social Security recipients is enough to keep up with rising prices,” while 77% disagree. This sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with large majorities of Republicans (75%), Independents (82%) and Democrats (79%) expressing disagreement.

USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/social-security/social-security-cola-2026/

[Fall2025VA]

[10/22/25]

Lol, I guess I should be grateful when we get one!!!

But they seem to be pennies in the end as my bills like rent go up every year.

It really does NOT matter to me if we get one for next year 2026.

At age 67 I have learnt to live BELOW my means & save something EVERY MONTH. Did this ALL MY LIFE.