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.

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

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.