Social Security benefits and cost-of-living adjustments for retired workers are indirectly influenced by state of residence.

The Social Security program undergoes several changes each year, but none so important to retirees as the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Annual COLAs keep benefits aligned with inflation, which helps beneficiaries keep up with rising prices across the economy.

The Social Security Administration will announce the 2026 COLA on Oct. 15, shortly after the Labor Department publishes inflation data for September. The Senior Citizens League currently expects benefits to increase 2.7% next year, but the nonprofit group has raised its forecast for five consecutive months, so that figure is subject to change.

Importantly, while all Social Security recipients will see t

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