It’s more challenging than ever to make ends meet, and no one knows this better than middle-class retirees. Prices are going up, and those on a fixed income are feeling the pinch.
Social Security benefits do go up each year, but they may not keep up with inflation. In 2024, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment was 2.5%. The annual inflation rate for that year was 2.9%, according to the U.S. Inflation Calculator, and the same rate is projected for 2025. The Social Security Administration announced the 2026 COLA at 2.8%.
