Social Security COLAs are supposed to help your checks maintain their buying power. Higher COLAs mean higher inflation. Despite COLAs, Social Security's buying power has declined over time. If you're struggling to stretch your Social Security checks far enough already,

Every year, Social Security is eligible for a COLA. When inflation remains flat, Social Security benefits remain flat. When there's a decrease in inflation from one year to the next, Social Security benefits also remain flat.

Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment could rise 2.7%. But Medicare Part B premiums are set to rise even more, eating most of the COLA.