You're not alone if you were disappointed by Social Security's 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The 2.5% benefit increase added just $49 to the average monthly check while many retirees saw their expenses rise by more than this over the last year.

Retirees who count on Social Security should prepare for a relatively meager cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to their benefits in 2026. Learn More: 3 Changes That Could Be Coming to Social

According to non-partisan group, The Senior Citizens League, 2026's cost of living adjustment increases will not likely keep up with inflation. Here's what the prediction shows.

Although retired-worker benefits are set to make history in 2026, the latest COLA forecast is anything but reassuring.

The actual cost-of-living-adjustment won't be announced until October, but early predictions say the increase will be a smaller percentage than the 2025 increase.

Social Security beneficiaries receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to keep the purchasing power of benefits aligned with rising prices across the economy. The official 2026 COLA will not be determined until October 2025 because it depends on inflation data from the third quarter,

Starting in January, Social Security recipients saw a 2.5% increase in their monthly payments as the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) took effect. Benefits for February were sent out Wednesday. Social Security payments are sent on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on the recipient's birth date.