Here's the Largest COLA Social Security Has Ever Paid. 2025's Won't Be Anywhere Close

Social Security benefits are crucial for seniors, especially those with limited savings, adjusting annually with cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to match inflation. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2%, a decrease from 2023's 8.7%, which was a response to high inflation in 2022. Historically, the largest COLA was 14.3% in 1981, during a period of significant inflation. Projections for 2025 suggest a further decrease to a 2.6% COLA, prompting recipients to potentially adjust their retirement budgets or explore additional income opportunities to maintain financial stability.