According to a recent Social Security COLA survey by The Motley Fool that asked 2,000 retirees about the COLA, 81% of retirees say that the 2025 COLA will not help them keep up with their essential living expenses. And it isn't hard to see why.

More than half of working adults say they expect to rely on Social Security when they retire, but nearly 3 out of 4 are concerned they will not receive them. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Bankrate about ways to save for retirement.

When you are on  Social Security, you can expect your retirement benefits to increase during most years. That’s because Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) typically happen automatically from year to year.

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to Social Security payments in any given year is based on CPI-W inflation from the third quarter of the previous year. In that sense, COLAs are a reimbursement mechanism to compensate retirees for the buying power benefits lost in the previous year.

Social Security beneficiaries have relied on annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to maintain their purchasing power.

Key Points In 2025, Social Security benefits got a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. Initial estimates are calling for a similar COLA in 2026. At this point, it’s premature to nail down a COLA, as it will depend on economic conditions in the next 12

The bad news is that you'll lose spousal benefits once you're no longer married, but you could be entitled to a different type of benefit. You'll only qualify for spousal benefits if you're currently married to someone who is entitled to either retirement or disability benefits.

Are you a retiree who would also be considered part of the baby boomer generation? If so, you might be concerned about the 2025 Social Security change to the cost of living adjustment -- or COLA,