Drozd Irina / Shutterstock.com Quick Read Social Security benefits have lost around 20% of buying power since 2010. COLAs are calculated using a price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers instead of retiree spending patterns. Seniors spend more on healthcare and housing where inflation outpaces the overall rate used for COLA calculations. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier ...