Social Security Benefits in 2025 Forecast to Rise, But Inflation Now Outpaces Estimates

• Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment) for 2025 estimated at 2.6%, higher than previous 1.75% estimate • Would represent about $45 more per month for average beneficiary • Problem is beneficiaries paying inflated prices now, 2025 increase not felt until January 2025 • COLA estimates change monthly based on Consumer Price Index data • Final 2025 COLA amount will likely differ from current estimates