For millions of Social Security beneficiaries, there’s both good news and bad news for next year.
The good news is that payments could be on course for a big hike in 2027. The bad news is that this hike is a result of the surge in inflation caused by President Donald Trump’s economic policies and war in the Middle East.
In other words, older Americans and retirees are due for a “Trump Bump” in 2027 just to offset the loss in purchasing power they’re experiencing in 2026.
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Priority Gold
Diversify your retirement fund with a precious metals IRA
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Get an annuity with up to 10.5% a year Combating inflation
Since the mid-1970s, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has automatically adjusted benefits each year through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), designed to prevent inflation from eroding their purchasing power.
The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, but independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson has forecast a 4.7% COLA for 2027, which would be the fourth-largest in the last 25 years.
If that forecast holds, it would be the fourth-largest COLA in the past 25 years. But it’s still only a forecast, and the official figure won’t be announced until October.
But here’s the catch. A higher COLA isn’t really a bonus. It’s designed to help Social Security benefits keep up with rising prices.
And Social Security isn't the only place where inflation can eat into your wealth. Whether you're retired or still working, you may want to consider assets that can help preserve purchasing power.
Gold, for instance, has long been viewed as a hedge against inflation. Unlike fiat currencies, it can't be printed at will by central banks, and its value isn't tied to any single country or economy.
That scarcity, combined with its history as a store of value, is why investors often flock to the metal during periods of inflation, economic turmoil or geopolitical instability.
This chart shows the price of gold over the past five years. If you want to see whether opening a precious metals IRA is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, download a free info guide.
Gold prices have more than doubled over the past five years, hitting multiple record highs along the way and outpacing the S&P 500 over the same period.
A gold IRA allows you to directly invest in physical gold or gold-related assets within your retirement portfolio, pairing the tax advantages of an IRA with gold’s track record as a long-term store of value.
There are specific rules around gold IRAs, and some states have different tax structures for the sale of gold and silver. It’s important to choose the right dealer and custodian to help you navigate regulatory and taxation hurdles.
Some companies also offer incentives, such as free IRA rollovers or free precious metals. With Priority Gold, for instance, you can get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.
If you’re curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download a free gold IRA information guide.
Priority Gold
Diversify your retirement fund with a precious metals IRA Hedge your portfolio with real estate
Real estate can offer a similar hedge against inflation — but with some added cash flow from rental income.
Mogul, for instance, is a real estate investment platform that offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits without the need for a $250,000 down payment or 3 A.M. tenant calls.
Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.
These are a few examples of properties from Mogul. Browse available properties on their website.
Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10-12% annually.
Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios.
With numbers like that, it's no wonder that offerings sell out in under three hours — with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.
Mogul
Build your real estate portfolio with ease starting from $250 Another option for investors
For risk-averse investors, a robust Certificate of Deposit (CD) could also be worth seeking out. CDs offer a chance to lock in interest rates for multiple years, so that you can reliably grow your wealth regardless of what’s happening in the rest of the economy.
However, CD rates can move lower when interest rates fall, and renewing at a lower rate can mean earning less on your savings.
If you won't need the money for a few years, one option you may want to consider is locking in a fixed rate for a set period.
A multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) through Ethos lets you lock in a fixed rate for a set term. Unlike a CD, a MYGA's guarantees are backed by the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability rather than FDIC insurance, and early withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges rather than the smaller early-withdrawal penalty typical of CDs.
Your savings can also benefit from tax-deferred growth that becomes your future income. And because your rate is fixed, you can protect your savings from market downturns, though the guarantee is backed by the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability rather than a government guarantee. Accessing funds before the term ends may trigger surrender charges and — before age 59½ — an IRS early withdrawal penalty.
If you're considering a MYGA, book a free consultation with a licensed Ethos insurance agent to explore your options. No purchase is required.
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Get an annuity with up to 10.5% a year Not available for residents of New York.²
Getting some help
Picking the right investments and balancing tax implications isn’t easy, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. Hiring a professional financial advisor could be the savviest money move you make, especially if your nest egg is worth $250,000 or more.
Managing withdrawals, minimizing tax exposure and ensuring long-term sustainability often requires greater coordination and strategic planning. In these cases, working with a financial advisor can help reduce costly mistakes.
If you have a portfolio of $250,000 or more, platforms like WiserAdvisor can connect you with vetted professionals who specialize in this kind of planning.
Simply answer a few questions about your savings, retirement timeline and overall investment portfolio. From there, WiserAdvisor reviews its network to match you — for free — with up to three vetted, reputable advisors aligned with your specific needs.
You can then schedule no-obligation consultations with your matches to determine who is the best fit for your long-term goals.
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Get matched with 2 or 3 experts based on your needs WiserAdvisor is a matching service and does not provide financial advice directly. All matched advisors are third parties, and specific financial results are not guaranteed.
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