Social Security's 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Should Be Historic -- but It's Not Great News for Retirees
A history-making moment for Social Security's 2026 COLA is likely to be overshadowed by other challenges.
For most aging Americans, Social Security income isn't something they can make do without. Based on 23 years of annual surveys from national pollster Gallup, 80% to 90% of retirees rely on their monthly Social Security check to cover some portion of their expenses.
Taking into account how vital this income is to the financial well-being of our nation's retired workers, perhaps it's no surprise that many wait on pins and needles for the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) reveal from the Social Security Administration (SSA) during the second week of October.
While early forecasts for the 2026 COLA point to history being made, it's not necessarily good news for retirees.
