Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has hired three researchers from OpenAI to bolster his company’s work on artificial intelligence. This strategic move aims to guide Meta Platforms through its current AI challenges. The social-media corporation brought aboard Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai, all of whom previously held positions at OpenAI’s branch in Zurich, as per sources privy to this information. These individuals established OpenAI’s location in Zurich towards the end of last year. Prior to their time at OpenAI, they collaborated closely within Google DeepMind, which is the organization’s artificial intelligence division. A representative from OpenAI verified that the three scientists have departed from the organization. Zuckerberg has been on an intense recruiting drive To correct the company’s AI initiatives following the underwhelming reception of its most recent model, he has sometimes proposed giving researchers up to $100 million to become part o...
The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) For Social Security, there is an annual modification to benefits designed to counteract the effect of inflation on consumer prices. This adjustment helps ensure that retirees, individuals with disabilities, and their dependents retain their capacity to purchase goods and services. Through this yearly benefit update, COLA assists you in managing increasing expenses, making sure your benefits align with today’s financial conditions.
2026 COLA Projections
Recent projections suggest the 2026 COLA It could amount to 2.5%, as stated by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), which is a nonpartisan organization for seniors. This represents a consistent rise from previous forecasts of 2.3% in March and 2.4% in April. Additionally, Mary Johnson, an independent social security policy analyst, anticipated the same increase. 2.4% COLA for May 2025, aligning with TSCL's estimates.
2025 COLA Overview
The 2025 COLA It was established at 2.5%, marking the smallest yearly increase since 2021, when inflation started climbing. This modification mirrors the economic climate and inflationary stresses of recent years. Grasping these patterns may assist you in forecasting upcoming alterations in your benefits.
If the 2026 COLA If this matches the 2025 rate, it will mark the first occasion in 41 years where Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are exactly the same for two successive years. This last happened in 1983 and 1984 when both years saw a 3.5% increase. Although comparable rates occurred in different years before, repeating such an adjustment highlights the distinct economic climate of our current situation.
How COLA is calculated
The annual COLA is based on the comparison of third-quarter inflation figures from this year with those from last year. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Is utilized to gauge inflation with an emphasis on urban blue-collar employees. Should the CPI-W indicate no rise, the cost-of-living adjustment might amount to zero, impacting your benefits accordingly.
Multiple elements might influence the outcome. 2026 COLA , encompassing factors like inflation, tariffs, and prescription drug costs. Inflation has seen a minor uptick, with a A 2.4% increase in May Tariffs have the potential to increase inflation, which may impact Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) projections. Furthermore, doubts regarding the dependability of inflation figures, stemming from difficulties encountered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, might also affect the precision of these assessments. COLA calculations.
A higher COLA Isn't always advantageous for retirees due to rising inflation. According to the TSCL, there’s a gap between the official inflation statistics and what elderly individuals actually experience. Should the Consumer Price Index (CPI) be flawed, you could end up with a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that falls short of true inflation rates, which might cost you significantly throughout your retirement years.