Social Security checks are getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 — but don’t get too excited. That’s only about $56 more per month for the average retiree. The problem? Healthcare costs are climbing faster than inflation, and Medicare premiums are expected to jump 11.6%, eating away nearly half of that “raise.” In this week’s Fastest Four Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman explains why your Social Security increase won’t go as far as you think — and what you can do to keep your retirement income ahead of rising costs. Why COLA increases aren’t keeping up with real expenses How Medicare and inflation erode your buying power Smart strategies to protect and grow your income in retirement