COLA
Understanding Cost-of-Living Adjustments
The annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process is a component of the program generally understood by most current and future beneficiaries. The premise that COLA reflects inflation is part of this general understanding, of course, but the mechanics may…
Good news and bad news for retirees
What will the 2025 COLA be? We will not know until mid-October when the Social Security Administration releases the amount based on this year’s third-quarter inflation figures compared to the previous year’s. However, that has not stopped experts from estimating…
Increased COLA Percentages in the Future?
There is a possibility of changing the way Cost of Living Adjustments are calculated in the future. It would depend on lawmakers agreeing to use a different method – relying on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) instead…
2025 COLA Situation
Since inflation is currently lower the COLA increase can be expected to be lower. It may be the lowest we have seen in the last few years. The only way this could change is if inflation suddenly increases in the…
The Harsh Realities of Living on Social Security
It’s common knowledge that the average monthly Social Security benefit these days is slightly over $1,900, and there’s also a fairly common understanding that the program’s retirement benefits are intended to replace about 40% of a retiree’s average career earnings.…
COLA Watch–2025 Edition
Continuation of the recent trend in CPI numbers has led forecasters to suggest that the 2025 Social Security COLA could fall into the 2.57% to 3% range, according to a post by Ted Godbout on the National Association of Plan…
The Rumor Mill in Action…No, you’re not getting a bonus Social Security Check in June
Several less-than-reputable sources have been trumpeting the rumor that Social Security recipients will be getting a $600–or $638–increase in their benefits this month. Here’s a piece of advice…don’t spend it in advance! In many cases, these types of rumors result…
Another Push for CPI-E
The potential for use of a measurement more reflective of senior spending patterns has been under investigation for some time, and is the subject of pending legislation to adopt this senior-friendly tool. A recent post on planadvisor.com by Paul Mulholland…
A Perspective on Social Security COLA Increases
Let’s face it. We all like to get a large raise. This includes seniors receiving Social Security benefits. The only problem is, when we get a large COLA increase, that means inflation is out of control. Please read this article…
Ask Rusty – About Social Security’s “guaranteed” annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)
Dear Rusty: I’ve been reading a lot lately about speculation on what next year’s benefit increase will be, and it seems like most of the experts are suggesting a range of 2.5% to 3%. My neighbor says don’t worry about…