Learn why the 2026 Social Security benefits increase might not be enough and what’s really behind the 2025 COLA estimate. Discover how inflation, data issues, and policy choices affect your monthly check.
In today’s update, learn what the new Social Security increase estimate means for you, how the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is calculated, and why it might not match what you’re really spending on groceries, housing, and healthcare. Understand how inflation, CPI-W data, and government cuts affect your benefits, and what you can do if your check isn’t keeping up. This guide covers the 2026 COLA estimate, what drives the number, how it’s impacting retirees, and why many seniors feel the official numbers don’t reflect reality. This impacts retirees including SSI (Supplemental Security Income), SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), survivors, VA, and spousal benefits. Get clarity on how your benefits are set and what changes could be coming.
How Much Will Social Security Go Up? New COLA Estimate & What it Means
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Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
