Tens of millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits for a substantial portion of their retirement income. Not only is Social Security a valuable source of retirement income, with the average retired worker receiving about $1,975 per month, but it is also the only inflation-protected source of income many retirees have.

It's far too early to know what next year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment might be. However, based on several inflation estimates, it's possible to make an educated prediction. In this video, Certified Financial Planner® Matt Frankel discusses what he foresees for Social Security recipients in 2026.

Data from TSCL’s 2024 Senior Survey shows 62% of older Americans worry their retirement income won’t even cover essentials such as groceries and medical bills. Will 2026's COLA increase help?

This is intended to help seniors and other Social Security recipients keep up with inflation and is based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the third quarter of 2024. While the 2.5% COLA isn't exactly news at this point,

Social Security benefits received a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025, but for many retirees, this is not enough to keep up with rising prices. Their monthly checks don't go as far as they used to,

Losing a spouse is likely one of the hardest experiences someone can go through. Having to deal with financial matters during this time only adds to the stress. Yet it is essential for your own security that this be accomplished.

In order to ensure that benefits keep up with inflation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) typically makes a cost of living adjustment (COLA) each year. For 2025, the SSA has delivered a 2.5% COLA -- and the benefit increase appears to be getting mixed reviews from retirees.