Posted on 10/06/2025 7:31:26 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Tens of millions of seniors may have to wait longer to find out how much their Social Security checks will rise next year.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expected to announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on Oct. 15, the same day the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) planned to release September's inflation data. But with most BLS employees furloughed amid the government shutdown, economic reports — including the inflation update — could be delayed, USA Today reported.
The SSA cannot calculate the annual COLA without the inflation report, according to USA Today.
Although the COLA announcement may be delayed, Social Security payments will continue as usual, since its funding is not tied to Congress’ annual budget process, according to USA Today.
"A government shutdown could potentially delay an announcement of the COLA, but remember, the data is for September and that has already been collected," Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, told USA Today.
The only time a COLA announcement has been delayed was in October 2013, according to USA Today.
Last month, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimated that the Social Security COLA would be 2.7% when it is unveiled in mid-October. That would raise the average monthly benefit for retired workers by $54 from $2,008 to $2,062.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxbusiness.com ...
Social Security’s COLA is used to adjust the amounts paid to beneficiaries to account for inflation pushing prices higher. The COLA for 2025 was 2.5% and took effect at the start of the year.
BUT I bet it doesn’t delay the congressional cost of living increases!
SSA should just guess. Their guess would be better than the BLS statistics.
I can hear it now “ The Trump shutdown is cutting SS.”
It never really matters to me. Any increase just gets eaten up by an increase in Medicare premiums.
MSM h3adlines wull be “Trump wants the elderly to die”
“Trump endangering the lives of the elderly, disabled, and veterans”
“Trump kicks a puppy and laughs while the nation’s most vulnerable citizens starve to death”
They’ve already predicted 2.7 or 2.8 and it’s not effective until January. So why even bring it up?
Heck, I could probably calculate it myself. Unfortunately, I’m out of adding machine paper.
To panic the plebes.
It’s just the announcement that is delayed. Whoop-di-do. But it will make big headlines and consume the majority of major network news anchor time.
I notice a bunch of the deMS-13 bigwigs reacting online to the Schumer Shutdown by calling it the Republican shutdown. A little late to the party, aren’t they?
Chucky could end this and save the lives of millions of elderly by voting YES on the CR.
EC
It doesn’t matter.
Whatever they giveth in SS COLA, the Medicare taketh away.............
Big deal, so I won’t know right away what my COLA will be. Fox, et al, just hoping this will rile up seniors.
MSM headlines : Trump knows elderly people die and does nothing but blame Natural Causes.
I can do without the $5 for now.
The COLA estimates are for what will be for the following year. So guessing what 2026 will be is only important for curiosity since a number of SS recipients are going to die before they get a different amount.
Maths is hard. There’s a computer based somewhere that can figure out the estimate in minutes. 😱😱😱😱 More fear porn.
Can bearly wait to watch talking heads set their own hair on fire, and call it news. film at 11.
The COLA is mostly absorbed by the Medicare Part B increase.
Practically speaking the actual monthly increase is about 1/2 of the COLA.
Whatever it is, it won’t be enough.
As long as I keep on getting the SS checks, I don’t lose a wink of sleep, speculating how much more the amount will increase. I’m just thankful for what I’ve got.
Then again, it may not.
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