Seattle's Rising Costs: Is Social Security Keeping Up?

Seattle's living costs are higher than most places in the U. S. This is a big deal for people who rely on Social Security. The Social Security Administration just announced a 2. 8% increase in benefits for 2026. But will this be enough to cover the rising costs in Seattle? The cost of living in Seattle is about 13. 5% higher than the national average. This means that everyday things like food, rent, and transportation cost more. The Social Security increase might not make a big difference for people living in expensive areas like Seattle. Inflation in Seattle is also higher than the national average. In 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage workers rose by 2. 8% nationally. But in Seattle, it rose by 2. 9%. In 2023, the difference was even bigger. The CPI increased by 3. 3% nationally, but by 4. 3% in Seattle. The 2. 8% increase in Social Security benefits translates to about $56 more per month. But for many older adults in Seattle, this extra money won't cover the higher costs of necessities like food, rent, transportation, and medical supplies. It also won't cover the rising Medicare premiums. Beyond immediate concerns, many older adults are worried about the future of Social Security. The program has been paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes for years. Recent changes under the Trump and Biden administrations have brought the insolvency date closer. According to the latest report, Social Security reserves are projected to be depleted by 2034. After that, the program will only be able to pay out 81% of benefits. Policymakers are discussing various solutions to address the program's shortfall. These include adjusting benefit levels, raising the retirement age, and modifying payroll tax rates. Ensuring the future of Social Security is critical because so many older adults depend on it to make ends meet.