Every dollar of Social Security matters

A trip to the grocery store, gas station or a monthly utility bill shows how quickly everyday expenses add up.

The newly announced 3.6% Social Security cost of living adjustment will provide some relief beginning in January 2027. Seniors recognize that every additional dollar matters. But that adjustment won’t be enough to meet the needs of many older Americans as groceries, gas, housing and health care challenge their ability to balance their budgets.

As an AARP volunteer in Alaska I want our members of Congress to keep those everyday pressures in mind. We paid into Social Security through years of work and contributions into Social Security. We earned our monthly checks and we deserve to have our purchasing power protected.

Some in Washington are pushing proposals to reduce the annual Social Security COLA. When people are already struggling to keep up, cutting protection against rising prices makes no sense.

Congress has a responsibility to protect and strengthen Social Security for people receiving payments today and for younger generations who are paying into it now.

I’m proud to stand with AARP in this fight. I hope our members of Congress will stand with us in support of better lives for seniors by protecting and strengthening  Social Security and the COLA.

Linda Kruger

Juneau