Social Security COLAs are supposed to help your checks maintain their buying power. Higher COLAs mean higher inflation. Despite COLAs, Social Security's buying power has declined over time. If you're struggling to stretch your Social Security checks far enough already,

Every year, Social Security is eligible for a COLA. When inflation remains flat, Social Security benefits remain flat. When there's a decrease in inflation from one year to the next, Social Security benefits also remain flat.

As summer winds down, retirees and Social Security recipients shift their focus toward 2026—especially the upcoming Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Although the official announcement won’t arrive until October 2025,