Seniors Feel Abandoned by Social Security

For millions of older Americans, Social Security is more than just a check in the mail. It’s a primary source of income. 

In fact, nearly 73% of seniors rely on it for over half their earnings and, for 39%, it’s their only source of retirement income. That makes it all the more concerning that many retirees say their benefits just aren’t cutting it.

This growing Social Security dissatisfaction isn’t about ungratefulness, either. It’s about rising costs that are making fixed incomes harder to live on. 

With food, rent, and transportation prices climbing, a monthly benefit averaging just over $2,000 no longer stretches as far as it once did. And, while cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are supposed to keep up with inflation, many seniors feel like they’re still falling behind when it comes to retirees’ finances.

Why Nearly Two‑Thirds of Seniors Are Unhappy With Their Social Security Checks

Retirement today looks very different from what it did a generation ago. Fewer companies offer pensions, and many Americans haven’t been able to save enough on their own. 

This level of senior income reliance means any gap in benefits hits hard. A small rent hike, higher heating bills, or an unexpected prescription cost can easily throw off a retiree’s entire monthly budget. 

For many, it’s not about living comfortably anymore; it’s about getting by without having to choose between essentials.

A Cost of Living Gap That Keeps Growing

One of the most frustrating issues for seniors is the cost-of-living gap. Social Security benefits include an annual COLA, which is supposed to protect against inflation. 

But, many retirees say the numbers just don’t add up. In 2025, the COLA was 2.5%, but most seniors believe their real expenses rose by more than that.

Part of the problem is how COLA is calculated. It’s based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which doesn’t always reflect the spending patterns of retirees. 

Categories like housing, medical care, and transportation – areas where seniors tend to spend more – often increase faster than inflation overall.

The Reality of Retirement Income Struggles

Living on a fixed income is never easy, but today’s seniors face unique challenges. When benefit adequacy doesn’t keep pace with inflation, retirees are forced to stretch every dollar. 

The retirement income struggles can show up in subtle but serious ways: smaller grocery runs, skipped medical appointments, or delayed home repairs.

Some older adults try to supplement their income with part-time work, while others turn to savings – if they have any left. 

For many, retirement is no longer the relaxing chapter it once was imagined to be. Instead, it’s a balancing act that demands constant trade-offs.

A System Under Pressure

Social Security was built to support Americans in their later years and, for decades, it has done just that. But, as the cost of essentials keeps climbing and benefit adjustments lag behind, people are beginning to lose faith in the system. 

And the growing Social Security dissatisfaction reflects more than just economic strain. It reflects a fear that the promise of retirement security is slipping away.

Unless the system is adjusted to better reflect the realities seniors face, these disappointments are likely to continue. And, with more people entering retirement every year, the need for practical solutions has never been more urgent. 

For now, many older Americans are left hoping that the next cost-of-living adjustment will do more than just look good on paper.