Social Security’s 2026 COLA: What It Means for Your Retirement Income

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introduct... This October, the Social Security Administration is expected to announce a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. Now that sounds like good news, until you see what it really means in dollars and cents. Today, Scott breaks down what the new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) really means for you, and why rising Medicare premiums, taxes, and inflation can easily cancel out your “raise.” Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💵 The Real Raise: average benefit increase is only about $54 a month 🏥 Medicare Impact: higher premiums can erase much of that gain 💰 Smart Retirees Plan Ahead: strategies for what you can do right now 🧾 Check Your Estimate: review benefits on SSA.gov and update your plan 🤝 Take a Team Approach: financial + tax + healthcare planning under one roof 0:00 – Intro 0:43 – Understanding the 2026 COLA 1:15 – What this mean in real dollars 2:21 – Why it matters 3:01 – What smart retirees should do now 📞 Call us: 913-393-4724 🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/ 📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-r... 📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scot... 📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips!   / elevatedretirementgroupkc   #retirement #retirementplanning __________________________________________________ This video/podcast has been prepared for educational and marketing purposes only. The information in this video is general in nature, does not constitute personalized investment advice, and does not provide a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All investments involve risk, and different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. There can be no assurance that any specific investment strategy will be profitable or suitable to you. Additionally, although information presented in this video is believed to be factual and up to date, we do not guarantee its accuracy. You should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation and should consult a professional adviser before implementing any of the strategies mentioned in this video. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Elevated Capital Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser affiliated with Elevated Retirement Group, LLC. Registration as an investment adviser does not constitute an endorsement of Elevated Capital Advisors, LLC by securities regulators, nor does it indicate that the firm has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance advice and products may be offered by a third-party insurance producer, which may be affiliated with Elevated Retirement Group, LLC and Elevated Capital Advisors, LLC. Walter Storholt and Third Wheel Media, LLC are not clients of Elevated Capital Advisers. They receive cash compensation for their assistance in preparing and hosting this podcast, and for providing the endorsement contained in this podcast. Because Walter and Third Wheel Media are compensated in connection with this podcast, they have a material conflict of interest in providing their endorsement.