New Delhi, May 14 -- New inflation figures released by the government have raised expectations for a higher Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase in 2027.

Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, said, as reported by CNBC, the Social Security COLA may increase to 4.2% amid "sharply rising" gasoline, energy and fresh produce prices. This is up from the 3.2% COLA estimate for 2027 that Johnson had forecasted last month.

The prediction is based on April consumer price index data that was released May 13. The data shows the broad consumer price index rose 3.8% over the past 12 months, the highest increase since May 2023, amid a faster-than-expected increase in prices for certain goods and...