Although Social Security retirement benefits began in 1940, the annual COLA wasn't a thing until 1975. Since then, the average annual COLA has been 3.4%, but the amounts have varied widely. The ...

Social Security is a major source of income for 74M Americans — but how far does the average check go? See average benefits ...

A potentially history-making COLA is on track to be dwarfed by a rapidly climbing expense for select retirees.

A new analysis by The Senior Citizens League found the Social Security COLA for 2026 could be 2.5%, higher than previously projected after inflation ticked higher in May.

Key Points One historical trend points to a higher Social Security COLA in 2026. However, the Trump administration's tariffs are a big wild card.

Although Social Security retirement benefits began in 1940, the annual COLA wasn't a thing until 1975. Since then, the average annual COLA has been 3.4%, but the amounts have varied widely.

As we near the official 2026 COLA announcement from the Social Security administration, recipients are wondering how much more they will receive in their monthly payments next year. We're still a ...

COLA historical trends Americans have had two back-to-back years of lower Social Security COLAs after the sky-high increase of 8.7% in 2023.

This October, the SSA will determine the new cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) by comparing the CPI-W data from July, August, and September of 2025 to the same data from 2024.

Although Social Security retirement benefits began in 1940, the annual COLA wasn't a thing until 1975. Since then, the average annual COLA has been 3.4%, but the amounts have varied widely.