Several retiree advocacies are critical of the use of the CPI-W to assess COLA adjustments, arguing that the index does not accurately reflect seniors' cost of living, which is overweighed by medical costs. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Social Security's more than 67 million beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent increase in monthly checks beginning in January of 2019.

The cost of living adjustment was announced after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released inflation data for September, which was considerably lower than previous projections.

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Nick Thornton

Nick Thornton is a financial writer covering retirement and health care issues for BenefitsPRO and ALM Media. He greatly enjoys learning from the vast minds in the legal, academic, advisory and money management communities when covering the retirement space. He's also written on international marketing trends, financial institution risk management, defense and energy issues, the restaurant industry in New York City, surfing, cigars, rum, travel, and fishing. When not writing, he's pushing into some land or water.