FG Trade Latin/Getty Images A 2.8% COLA provides some relief, but it won't erase the underlying worry. Key Takeaways Despite a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, 39% of middle-class Americans fear Social Security benefits will be cut in the coming years, according to a recent report. Many retirees say the annual COLAs haven’t kept up with real-world costs, and polling shows broad skepticism that the raise is “enough.” Inflation, policy uncertainty, and longer life spans could steadily er ...