Social Security benefits are at risk of losing buying power due to the way COLAs are determined, with experts warning that the situation could worsen next year. Recent data shows that the 2024 COLA failed to cover increased household expenses for many seniors, raising concerns about the impact of inflation on retirees. The 2025 COLA forecast suggests a 2.6% increase in benefits, but experts argue that this adjustment may not accurately reflect the spending habits of Social Security recipients. The current method of using the CPI-W to measure inflation may not adequately capture the rising costs of housing and medical care for retirees. If the trend continues, benefits could lose even more buying power in 2025. Advocates recommend using the CPI-E, which better reflects the expenses of older adults, to calculate COLAs and ensure that retirees are adequately compensated for inflation. It remains to be seen whether policymakers will take action to address this issue and protect the financial security of Social Security recipients.