The latest cost-of-living projection for 2026 shows that seniors could see less of an increase than last year, according to the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League

Social Security beneficiaries receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to keep the purchasing power of benefits aligned with rising prices across the economy. The official 2026 COLA will not be determined until October 2025 because it depends on inflation data from the third quarter, which is collected between July and September.

According to non-partisan group, The Senior Citizens League, 2026's cost of living adjustment increases will not likely keep up with inflation. Here's what the prediction shows.

Retirees who count on Social Security should prepare for a relatively meager cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to their benefits in 2026. Learn More: 3 Changes That Could Be Coming to Social

People who collect Social Security, or who are gearing up to retire, tend to pay attention to one key aspect of the program -- cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs. Those tend to be all over the news because they have a direct impact on seniors' buying power from year to year.

COLA beneftis are often not enough for retirees to maintain a comfortable living standard, and the forecast for 2026 likely won't shift that.