In June 2025, the Social Security Administration has adjusted its payment schedule to ensure timely disbursements following delays in May. Beneficiaries should be aware of the specific dates and exceptions to avoid any confusion regarding their payments.

So rather than hope for a larger COLA in 2026, what retirees should actually hope for is a change to the way those raises are calculated. Using a more senior-specific index that measures changes in retiree costs like healthcare could lead to more generous COLAs in future years without requiring a scenario where everyone struggles due to inflation.