Name: Social Security benefits get a 2.8% boost
Uploaded: 2026-01-12T16:35:02.611Z
Duration: 2 min 19 s
Description: Monthly benefits are increasing by 2.8%, which works out to an average of about $56 more per month. The boost is meant to help seniors keep up with rising costs, but with prices still squeezing household budgets, many retirees are wondering how far that extra money will really go.

Monthly benefits are increasing by 2.8%, which works out to an average of about $56 more per month. The boost is meant to help seniors keep up with rising costs, but with prices still squeezing household budgets, many retirees are wondering how far that extra money will really go.

Las Vegas

Social Security beneficiaries are set to receive a 2.8% increase in their monthly payments, which amounts to an average of $56 extra per month. This cost-of-living adjustment is designed to keep pace with inflation, which currently stands at 2.7% year-over-year.

Despite the increase, some seniors continue to struggle with rising costs for essentials such as groceries and gas. Financial experts advise recipients to verify their earning histories, consider the timing of claiming benefits, and review medical and Medicare expenses to maximize their income.

Social Security benefits get a 2.8% boost

IF YOU RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, THERE'S A LITTLE GOOD NEWS COMING YOUR WAY. RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE A 2.8 PERCENT BOOST IN THEIR CHECKS. THAT WORKS OUT TO AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 56 EXTRA DOLLARS A MONTH. IT'S MEANT TO HELP KEEP UP WITH RISING COSTS. BUT WITH PRICES STILL STRETCHING HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS, MANY SENIORS ARE ASKING, IS IT ENOUGH? CONSUMER REPORTER SHAKIRA HAWKINS BREAKS IT DOWN. Things like groceries and gas are hitting our budgets hard. But the good news is you may see a little bit more money on your social security check. But how far is that money actually going? I spoke to an expert about if the increase is actually keeping up with inflation. Anything works, you know? 80-year-old Lola Pablo receives about $2,300 a month in social security. That's the only income that I'm getting other than my part-time job. She says she's grateful for the boost, but still works part-time just to make ends meet. So to find out whether the 2.8 percent increase is really helping seniors, I took her concerns to a local financial expert. Right now we're looking at year-over-year inflation growth of about 2.7. Social security COLA is at 2.8 percent. So yes, it's keeping up right in those inflation numbers. Zucker says the numbers are doing what they're designed to do, but he stresses social security was never meant to be your only source of permanent income. It's meant to replace about 40 percent of your pre-retirement income. So if money is tight, he says the first step is making sure your earning history is accurate. You only have a certain number of years to go back. If you find that they did not credit you correctly and it's beyond the limit of years, there's nothing you can do about it. So you need to verify your income. He also says timing matters. Claiming benefits at 62 can mean a permanently smaller check. And if you wait until full retirement age, you'll be in a much better position. And one quick way to save right now? Take a close look at medical costs, because they can quickly eat into your check. For Pablo, she says she's thankful to be living somewhere where she can still get by. I mean, living here in Nevada, it meets pretty much my needs. I can't afford to live anywhere else. Zucker also recommends reviewing your Medicare plans. Different ones could cost you hundreds of dollars, and the right ones could put money back in your pocket. For Good Morning Las Vegas, I'm Shakira Hawkins.

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