The financial gains from the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be significantly diminished for millions of retirees following a sharp increase in Medicare Part B premiums confirmed by federal regulators. The Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 9.7 per cent rise in monthly healthcare costs, a surge that threatens to neutralise the purchasing power protection intended by the 2.8 per cent benefit increase.
