Social Security up 2.8%, Medicare up 11.6%, and 31% of Americans want a 10% COLA to keep up with inflation

Social Security beneficiaries will get a 2.8 percent increase in their monthly payments next year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Oct. 24.

The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is slightly higher than last year’s 2.5 percent increase, reflecting a recent uptick in inflation.

The 2.8 percent COLA will boost the average monthly benefit for a retired worker by about $56, from $2,015 to $2,071, according to SSA estimates. The average monthly survivor benefit would inch up by about $52, and the average payment for a worker collecting Social Security Disability Insurance would go up by $44.
https://www.aarp.org/social-security/2026-cola-increase-announcement/

54% of Social Security beneficiaries say the 2026 2.8% Social Security COLA isn’t enough and won’t keep up with rising costs.

More than half have either returned to work or are considering it because of low Social Security benefits.

31% believe a Social Security COLA adjustment of 10% is needed to keep up with inflation.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/most-social-security-recipients-2-173507042.html