IMHO, This is Not cause for celebration — just relief
If inflation stays flat in August and September, then the resulting average inflation reading for the three summer months in 2022 would be 8.9% higher than the corresponding average in 2021. It would take 1% monthly increases in both August and September to get the COLA for 2023 close to the 10% mark, and increases of that size just don’t look particularly probable.
That said, Social Security recipients don’t have to worry about seeing their projected COLA fall much further. Even if the Consumer Price Index fell 1% month-over-month in August and September, it would still leave the summer average up 7.8% from 2021 levels. That would still be enough to make the 2023 COLA the biggest in decades.
The key point to remember is that Social Security’s COLA isn’t a raise in the traditional sense. It’s meant only to help recipients keep up with the pace of inflation and avoid a loss of purchasing power. So regardless of whether it comes in around 9%, higher, or lower, it will only reflect the fact that it’s costing more for retirees to buy the things they need.
Nevertheless, for those who rely largely on Social Security for the bulk of their income in retirement, getting a COLA will be a critical element of their financial survival. Having to wait until January isn’t ideal, but when higher checks come, they’ll provide a valuable lifeline for those struggling to make ends meet.
Those planning to retire shortly might need to delay a few more years.
“for those who rely largely on Social Security for the bulk of their income in retirement, getting a COLA will be a critical element of their financial survival”
Why is it labeled being on a fixed income when there are increases every year?
Unlike people’s savings, which are getting pitiful interest rates if in a bank.