HAVE A QUESTION? CALL US AT (872) 266-3015
Storm-Proofing Your Retirement, the Income Puzzle, and What 2026’s COLA Might (Not) Cover
If retirement were a house, this week’s stories were a stress test: extreme weather shaking the walls of “age in place” dreams, the tricky math of turning savings into a steady paycheck, a fresh reminder that many Boomers are working longer, shifting political winds in the polls, and early tea leaves on Social Security’s 2026 COLA. Here’s what mattered—and what to do about it.
By RetirementRedFlags.com
August 29th, 2025
This week’s stories paint a picture of how quickly the retirement landscape can shift—and why staying prepared matters more than ever.
1. “Aging in place” has a new wildcard—extreme weather
Aging at home is still the dream for most Americans 65+, but bigger, hotter, windier storms are turning that dream into a logistics plan. Kiplinger’s feature flags what many families overlook: resilience. Think power (backup batteries), cooling, caregiver access, evacuation routes—and the hard conversation about when “home” stops being safe.
Action Steps:
✔ Run a hazard audit. Heat, wildfire, flood, hurricane, winter storm—rank your top two local risks and plan specific responses for each (power, meds, mobility, communications).
✔ Price a whole-home battery or generator sized for HVAC + medical devices; store extra filters, meds, and water.
✔ Identify at least two nearby helpers plus one out-of-area contact; arrange a caregiver back-up.
✔ If you need mobility aids or oxygen, practice a timed evacuation. Pre-pack documents and a 72-hour supply list.
2. From nest egg to paycheck: the step most retirees struggle with
Investopedia reminds us that saving for retirement is only half the job—the harder half is figuring out how to live on it. The article breaks down the essentials of “decumulation,” or turning your nest egg into a sustainable paycheck. First, build an income floor (Social Security, private bonds, pensions, or annuities), then layer a “bucket strategy” for the next 2–10 years, and use tax-smart withdrawal sequencing (taxable → tax-deferred → Roth) so your money lasts. No wonder a recent TIAA/Nuveen survey shows 93% of workers now want lifetime income options built right into their 401(k)s—a sign that retirees crave predictability as much as growth.
Action Steps:
✔ Define essentials vs. lifestyle and cover essentials with guaranteed income where possible.
✔ Set your buckets: 1–3 years of cash/bonds for spending; 3–7 in quality fixed income; long-term growth for years 7+. Refill annually.
✔ Withdraw with taxes in mind: Usually taxable first, then traditional IRA/401(k), Roth last (often your longevity/legacy bucket).
3. Baby boomers are working longer—by choice and necessity
A column making the rounds this week argues Boomers are delaying retirement in growing numbers. That squares with recent data: about 1 in 5 Americans 65+ were employed in 2023–2024, nearly double the share from the late 1980s; BLS pegs 2024 labor-force participation for 65+ at 19.5%. Reasons range from higher longevity and education to gaps in savings and the shift away from pensions.
Action Steps:
✔ Mind the earnings test before Full Retirement Age (FRA) and coordinate with Medicare enrollment rules.
✔ Use extra work years strategically to replace “zero” or low-earning years in your 35-year Social Security record.
4. Poll watch: Retirees’ view of the President has been moving
Newsweek reports baby-boomer approval of President Trump has recently rebounded modestly after earlier dips this year, even as overall approval remains contested across polls. (Other Newsweek snapshots this summer highlight swings by age cohort in both directions.) For retirees, the investment takeaway isn’t who’s up or down this week—it’s that policy expectations (taxes, Medicare, tariffs, markets) can shift quickly.
Action Steps:
✔ Stress-test your budget for higher healthcare costs and price shocks (e.g. from tariffs).
✔ Keep a tax-diversified mix (taxable/traditional/Roth) so you can adapt to policy changes without blowing up your withdrawal plan.
5. Social Security’s 2026 COLA is tracking around 2.7% (for now)
Early estimates suggest the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 could be around 2.7%, slightly higher than the 2.5% increase for 2025. The official number will be announced in October 2025 once inflation data is finalized. But here’s the catch: higher Medicare premiums could eat up much of that raise. In other words, retirees may see only a small increase in their monthly checks—so it’s best not to count on extra income when planning your 2026 budget.
Action Steps:
✔ Use 2.5–2.7% as a planning placeholder for January checks until the October announcement.
✔ Build a Medicare buffer: Several outlets warn that 2026 Part B/D premiums could absorb much of the raise—don’t pre-spend the COLA.
✔ Update your 2026 withdrawal plan in November after COLA and Part B premiums are final.
If you have any questions about the headlines that hit the news this week, we are answering questions in our free Facebook group The Retirement Red Flags Community. Click below and we will make sure you get added.
The content provided on this website and in any affiliated print or digital materials is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. Any affiliated or partner entity of RetirementRedFlags.com may offer securities only through formal offering documents and only to verified accredited investors in accordance with Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933. Any references to retirement income or financial strategies are illustrative and should not be interpreted as guarantees of future performance or income. No material presented herein constitutes legal, tax, or investment advice. All potential investors should consult with their own legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decision.
Copyright 2025 © RetirementRedFlags.com. All Rights Reserved.