Social Security will see a 2.8% increase in 2026. This means a senior who collects the monthly average of nearly $2,000 will see an additional $56 come January. My clients rarely rely on Social Security alone. One of the tools I use to help my clients estimate their retirement paycheck takes into account Social Security as a lifetime income floor, including a cost-of-living increase each year. Before he met me, David was stressed, afraid he'd mess up his pension choices when he retired from the government. The goal of our last meeting was to get him feeling confident in his selection. After reviewing the projections of his pension, his investments, and social security, he sat up taller, and his anxiety dissipated. I'm a good referral for the government civil engineer planning to work his last day on November 21st. He wants to know what his new routine is going to be. Ask him if he always drives the same way to get to the office.