Every year, the Social Security Administration, or SSA, examines inflation data and adjusts Social Security benefits accordingly. In short, the annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is designed to help retirees keep up with the rising cost of goods and services.

When you are on  Social Security, you can expect your retirement benefits to increase during most years. That’s because Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) typically happen automatically from year to year.

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

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to Social Security payments in any given year is based on CPI-W inflation from the third quarter of the previous year. In that sense, COLAs are a reimbursement mechanism to compensate retirees for the buying power benefits lost in the previous year.

Social Security beneficiaries have relied on annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to maintain their purchasing power.

Key Points In 2025, Social Security benefits got a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. Initial estimates are calling for a similar COLA in 2026. At this point, it’s premature to nail down a COLA, as it will depend on economic conditions in the next 12

Are you a retiree who would also be considered part of the baby boomer generation? If so, you might be concerned about the 2025 Social Security change to the cost of living adjustment -- or COLA,