AARP Pennsylvania says the newly announced 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027 is failing to keep up with higher grocery, utility, health care and prescription drug costs.
The increase adds about $900 a year for the average recipient, but 76% of adults 50 and older surveyed by AARP said the adjustment does not match rising prices.
In Pennsylvania, more than 3 million residents—about 1 in 5—receive Social Security, with an average benefit of $2,142 a month or $25,707 a year.
Those payments pump $71.8 billion into the state economy annually, underscoring AARP's warning that weaker COLA proposals in Washington would hit both retirees and local communities.
The group urged Congress to protect and strengthen Social Security, noting half of recipients rely on it as their main source of income.