Social Security monthly benefits will increase 2.8% in 2026

[AnnaLee]

4. The COLA increase in my income does not cover.

I compared the expected increase in my income due to the COLA to the known increase in my medical premiums and it doesn't come close. Next year I will pay $700 more than the COLA increase in my income for health insurance if I don't switch to a cheaper insurance policy. The risk is that the cheaper policies have higher out-of-pocket everything.

COLA increase in income = 2026 income - 2025 income
Increase in medical premiums = 2026 medical premiums- 2025 medical premiums
Increase in medical premiums - COLA increase in income = $700.54.

This should be as a percent a lot less than many others with less ex-employer subsidy but there is no COLA for retirees that helps cover increased prices for anything as long as medical premium increases consume more than the COLA.