2026 Social Security COLA Falls Short of Inflation Rate
The 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8% is insufficient to offset the 3.3% inflation rate recorded in March 2026, creating a 0.5% gap. Rising energy prices, particularly due to the war in the Middle East, have driven inflation higher, impacting the purchasing power of fixed Social Security payments.
Topics: cost-of-living adjustment energy prices inflation Social Security