CREDIT GETIMAGE
CREDIT GETIMAGE
Despite a 5.9% COLA in 2023, Social Security benefits fell short of the 8.5% increase in the CPI-W.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
Retirees experienced a decline in purchasing power of $1,054 in 2021 and 2022 due to rising costs of goods.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
In 2023, Social Security benefits saw an 8.7% increase, the largest COLA since 1982, providing relief for retirees.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
Cooling inflation suggests a smaller COLA of around 2.7% is expected in 2024.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
The official 2024 COLA for retired workers will be determined by the third-quarter CPI-W data, available in October.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
May's CPI-W reading suggests a 2.2% increase, indicating a potentially higher COLA for 2024.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
Despite the 8.7% increase in Social Security payments in 2023, the CPI-W rose by only 3.6% in May, making a full recovery of purchasing power unlikely this year.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
The Social Security COLA system aims to counteract inflation, but it may take time for the effects to balance out.
CREDIT GETIMAGE
Next steps