If your Social Security benefit rises in 2026, it can feel like a welcome breath of room in your budget. The catch is that healthcare costs don’t wait politely for inflation to cooperate. A 2.8% COLA can help, but what matters is how much of that increase you actually keep after premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs. The good news is you can estimate the impact in a few minutes and make smarter choices before surprises hit. Here’s how to tell whether the bump will cover your healthcare reality this year.
