India, Aug. 22 -- The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is an important index, revised annually, which adjusts social security benefits as per increased survival costs. However, experts fear that even though the COLA is projected to be 2.7% next year (a 0.2% hike from this year), senior citizens may still find it difficult to make ends meet.

"The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2025 are $967 for an eligible individual, $1,450 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $484 for an essential person," reads the official SSA website. "In general, monthly amounts for the next year are determined by increasing the unrounded annual amounts for the current year by the COLA effective for January of the next year. The new unrounded...