#social-security-benefits

#social-security-benefits

Social Security benefits rose by 2.8% in January 2026, adding roughly $56 per month to the average retiree's check. Year-over-year inflation is running at 2.2%, which means the COLA is actually outpacing current price increases by a small margin. The catch is Medicare. Medicare Part B premiums increased in 2026, and since those premiums are deducted directly from your Social Security payment, some of that $56 gain disappears before it reaches your bank account.

According to a Realtor.com® analysis of median Social Security benefits by state and the Elder Economic Security Standard Index,, the average retiree in Alabama ends up with an annual surplus of $576, or about $48 a month, after paying for essential living costs. While it may not seem like a lot, the extra funds are more than homeowners have in most of the country, and can be put to good use in future-proofing a home.