In previous years, the Social Security Administration’s stance on Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) took into account cooling inflation. For example, in 2025, then-Commissioner Martin O’Malley made this comment:
“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool.”
An increase AND cooling inflation. It’s a win-win, right? No, it’s not!
Cooling inflation doesn’t mean lower prices. It merely means prices are rising at a slower pace, or remaining high. Seniors have experienced the same issue throughout 2026. Prices remain high, so a higher COLA is vital this October.
Don’t buy that a low COLA is justified based on any formal economic analysis. The best way to analyze this topic is to consider the financial struggles seniors are facing. And remember, we paid into Social Security, and therefore, we deserve to be paid back in full.
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