The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 319.422 (1982-84=100). For the month, of February the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal
adjustment.
0.5 is an annual increase of 6%. Of course, the future CPI is anyone’s guess.
If the CPI-W were to stay at the 2.2% level, that would be the 2027 Social Security COLA. That is unlikely 😡
If the CPI is at the 6% level or higher, it’s a dilemma. A higher COLA, but higher prices to go with it.
I’ll take the 2.2%.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Al Lindquist
if taking the 2.2% because of the lower prices it’s an interesting thought–I would take the 6% as that builds the increase into my benefit and future COLA’s would increase my total dollar amount–
I see gas prices fluctuating with events like the Russian invasion and the war in Iran. With so much crude floating around we had lower gas prices in 2024 and even lower not too long ago. Same with eggs as prices crested in ’24 or early ’25. In other words prices move based on transitory events. Egg prices escalated because of a bird flu but right leaning politicians would not tell you that.
I could be wrong but building in a 6% rise in my benefit based on a transitory event (hopefully) and building off that for say 12-15 years for either me or my wife seems to make sense to me.
Interesting topic–maybe a cap on my COLA based on my income might help save money and future benefit.
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It’s not the total dollar amount to be concerned with it’s the spending power of those dollars.
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7 most impt. words of a retiree; “every year everything I buy costs more”.
the above is why bonds and annuities didn’t work too well for retirees–in a retirement of 25 years or more your spending power is diminished by rising costs–the key to growing your spending power is equities–
if you can see yourself through the brown underwear periods this is where you have the best chance to grow your spending power.
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My money is on a higher than 2.2% cola. It will help although ordinary recipients have spending costs that vary from the make up of the CPI.
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Spending varies for sure with more or less on certain items, but the CPI-W includes virtually everything seniors would spend money on.
I can’t see it staying at 2.2% either.
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