Thankfully, Social Security benefits are raised automatically nearly every year to help them compensate for inflation. Without those cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), recipients would practically be guaranteed to see their financial situations worsen from year to year as inflation gradually erodes the value of a dollar.

By now, all seniors on Social Security should have gotten their first checks for 2025. With the latest 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in effect, the average benefit has climbed to $1,976 per month.

The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonpartisan senior group, recently released their monthly COLA estimate, predicting that it would moderate to 2.1% in 2026.

Social Security benefits received a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025, but for many retirees, this is not enough to keep up with rising prices. Their monthly checks don't go as far as they used to,

What's more, surveys have shown that Social Security checks are necessary for seniors to make ends meet. A poll from nonpartisan senior advocacy group The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) found that 67% of seniors rely on Social Security for more than half of their annual income.

If you receive Social Security benefits, you are getting a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) this year. This means your retirement benefits check is going to be bigger than it was before. That's the good news.