Inflation – The Simply Retirement Podcast

The Truth Behind Social Security Increases and What They Mean for Your Retirement (Ep. 87)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | January 14, 2026

That annual Social Security increase announcement can be confusing.

Is it a bonus? Will it cover your rising costs? More importantly, how does it really affect your decisions about when to retire and when to claim your benefits?

In this episode, I unpack the new 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. We explore how Social Security benefits grow differently before and after age 62, why the inflation measure might not match your personal expenses, and how your early work years still count. We provide clarity on how delaying your claim and continuing to work can increase your lifetime benefits, especially important for married couples planning for survivor income.

Key Points Covered:

The meaning behind the 2026 2.8% COLA and why personal inflation may be higher
How Social Security uses CPI-W, an inflation index for workers, which can undervalue senior expenses like healthcare
The role of wage indexing in growing your pre-retirement benefits and the “gap” from age 60 to 62
The powerful impact of delaying your filing age on your monthly benefit and future COLA dollar amounts
How working in your 50s, 60s, or 70s can replace low-earning years and permanently increase your benefit
And more!

Resources:

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Investing in Retirement – Part 2: Changing the Way You Think About Retirement (Ep. 81)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | December 3, 2025

What if the way you’ve been told to protect your money in retirement is actually putting your future at risk?

In this episode, I continue our series on the seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement. We tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement planning, defining the real purpose of your portfolio and reframing how you think about risk. This conversation is designed to shift your perspective from fear and preservation to growth and resilience.

Key takeaways include:

Why “not running out of money” and “preserving principal” are often conflicting goals
The impact of inflation and longevity on retirement income needs
A real-life story about my grandmother’s retirement and long-term care costs
How the financial crisis illustrates the value of having a retirement “war chest”
Risk in retirement as “years of income” rather than portfolio percentages
And more!

Resources:

Data References:

Average Life Expectancy at Birth (U.S.)

Across all demographics, the average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. is in the late 70s.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Vital Statistics Reports

Inflation & Purchasing Power
- Historical U.S. inflation has averaged around 3% over the long term.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator
2008 Portfolio Decline (70/30 Portfolio)
- A 70% stock / 30% bond portfolio declined approximately 24% during the Great Financial Crisis (calendar year 2008).
- Source: Can Your Retirement Portfolio Survive a Stock Market Crash? Here’s How to Tell
Great Financial Crisis Recovery Timeline
- Source: The S&P 500 at Your Fingertips

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Q&A: Living Trusts, Social Security, and Protecting Your Retirement (Ep. 53)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | May 21, 2025

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with difficult questions about protecting your assets, Social Security benefits, and market uncertainties.

In this episode, I answer listener questions about whether to choose a living trust or a will, explain how Social Security benefits work for widows and divorced women, and discuss how to prepare your retirement income for market ups and downs. I also share practical tips on building a financial safety net and touch on the importance of tax planning through retirement stages.

Key points:

The considerations involved in deciding between a will and a living trust, emphasizing the importance of privacy
How divorce can affect Social Security benefits, and whether it’s possible to receive higher benefits based on a former spouse’s record
The Social Security Fairness Act and how it impacts individuals, specifically teachers, receiving both a pension and Social Security
Strategies to preserve your retirement income
The conditions under which children can receive Social Security retirement benefits, a topic that is not frequently discussed
And more!

Resources:

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