The 2025 Social Security COLA of 2.5 percent raises questions. This is especially true when some argue that a low adjustment is necessary due to concerns over the program’s long-term financial health. But even with the looming insolvency threat, a lower cost-of-living adjustment isn’t justified.

Retirees rely on these adjustments to keep up with inflation and maintain their standard of living. Cutting corners on the COLA hurts those who need it most.

The COLA exists to ensure that Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation. It is not to serve as a tool for managing the program’s financial solvency. Reducing or limiting the COLA doesn’t fix the underlying funding issues. Instead, it places a greater burden on retirees.

Social Security’s solvency challenges can and should be addressed through other means, such as adjusting the tax cap or exploring new funding mechanisms. Sacrificing the COLA, which is crucial for seniors to maintain basic financial security, is a short-term approach that creates long-term harm for millions of retirees. Social Security’s promise was to provide stability, and a reduced COLA undermines that commitment.

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