AARP Hearing Center
Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) typically provides retirees with an annual increase in their retirement payment based on a national measure of inflation. In recent years, COLAs have varied significantly: a record 8.7% increase in 2023, followed by more modest adjustments of 3.2% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025.
The goal of the COLA is to help offset rising prices. However, research conducted by AARP in September 2025 shows that older adults feel the projected COLA for 2026 of around 3% is insufficient to do that job. Only 22% of Americans age 50-plus agree that “a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of right around 3% for Social Security recipients is enough to keep up with rising prices,” while 77% disagree. This sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with large majorities of Republicans (75%), Independents (82%) and Democrats (79%) expressing disagreement.
A follow up question asked what level of increase would be sufficient to help Social Security recipients afford everyday living expenses. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of older Americans selected 5% or higher, with one quarter (26%) indicating that an 8% increase would be necessary to keep pace with rising costs. Responses to this question were consistent across political party affiliations.
Methodology
Interviews were conducted between September 18 and 23, 2025, among 1,001 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.
For more information, contact Bryan Miller at bmmiller@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
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