Inflation may be cooling, but Americans are still feeling the pinch — the December 2025 Consumer Price Index showed prices rose 0.3% month-over-month and 2.7% year-over-year. Niladri “Neel” Mukherjee, chief investment officer at TIAA Wealth Management, warns that 2026 won’t bring major relief for consumers. Here’s what he predicts for inflation and affordability in the year ahead — and what it means for your wallet. 2026 Inflation Outlook: Why Prices Will Likely Stay High Mukherjee expects inflation to ...