Protect Your Social Security Benefits

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Sadie Shattuck,

AARP Michigan

Published April 20, 2026

Social Security is a cornerstone of retirement security for millions of Michiganders. Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, understanding how Social Security works and how to protect the benefits you’ve earned is essential for financial peace of mind.

How Social Security Works

Social Security isn’t just a retirement program. It also provides benefits to spouses, survivors and people with disabilities. Your monthly benefit is based on your earnings history and the age at which you begin claiming benefits. Waiting beyond your full retirement age can result in higher monthly payments through delayed retirement credits, while claiming earlier may reduce your benefit.

Social Security in Michigan

Social Security plays a vital role in Michigan’s economy and in the lives of older residents across the state. Many Michiganders rely on Social Security as a primary source of retirement income, and the program provides a significant economic benefit to local communities. More than one in five Michigan residents, or 2.2 million people, receive Social Security benefits. These payments inject more than $40.2 billion into the state’s economy every year.

Social Security COLA

Each year, Social Security benefits may be adjusted through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to reflect changes in inflation. While the size of the adjustment can vary from year to year, COLAs are intended to help beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power as the cost of everyday expenses changes over time. COLA announcements are typically made annually, and AARP provides timely updates and clear explanations about what each year’s adjustment means for beneficiaries.

You Earned It

Social Security is your money, earned through years of hard work and contributions from every paycheck. Without action, future benefit cuts of up to 20% are possible, which could result in an average annual loss of $4,000. AARP is working to protect and strengthen Social Security so that it remains a reliable source of income for generations to come, but we can’t do it alone. Add your name and sign the pledge to help AARP protect the Social Security benefits you’ve earned!