With predictions for the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) already coming out, seniors are right to be concerned about the news.

The 2025 Social Security COLA of 2.5 percent raised a lot of concern due to how low it was. And with 2026’s boost predicted to be about the same, debates are already starting on both sides of the issue.

Some economists and pundits 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 COLA isn’t justified.

Why the 2026 COLA Should Be Higher, Not Lower

Retirees rely on benefit 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.

And remember, seniors have fairly earned their benefits! COLAs are not raises made out of generosity. They’re necessary changes made to bring benefits to the level they should be, in line with inflation.

Help us ensure COLAs are raised in the future by signing our petition. Through collective action, we can compel Congress to raise the 2026 COLA, and also compensate seniors for years where COLAs were skipped. For more news like this, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.