Retirement Social Security

5 Clever Ways to Make Your Social Security Check Go Further in 2026

Practical tips to stretch your 2026 Social Security raise further.

By David Maina

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Dec. 11, 2025

With Social Security rising about 2.8% in 2026, your monthly check will get a small lift. But that raise may not keep up with the higher prices you face for housing, health care, food, and other basics.

The good news is that you can make the right moves to stretch each dollar and steady your budget. Below are simple, realistic ways to help your Social Security check go further in 2026 and keep your spending under control.

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Revisit your budget and track every dollar

Start by reviewing your income and expenses. Check your 2026 Social Security statement to see your exact take-home amount after taxes and Medicare premiums.

From there, compare what you bring in each month with what you must spend on housing, utilities, groceries, prescriptions, and insurance. These fixed costs usually claim the biggest share of a retiree's budget, so identify them first.

Next, look at flexible spending like dining out, entertainment, and subscription services. Once you separate your essentials from your "nice-to-haves," you can see exactly where your money goes, and which areas offer the most room to adjust.

Many retirees find that this simple review uncovers dollars they can redirect toward rising costs or savings.

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Review your Medicare and health coverage

Health care is one of the biggest expenses you face in retirement, so it helps to check your Medicare choices each year. Premiums, deductibles, and copays change regularly, and 2026 is no exception.

The standard Part B premium will be $202.90 per month, up from $185 in 2025, and the deductible rises to $283. Since these costs are taken directly from your Social Security check, they reduce what you keep each month.

Programs such as the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) can cover Part B premiums, deductibles, or copays. The Extra Help program can also reduce or even eliminate Part D premiums and out-of-pocket drug costs.

It also makes sense to check whether Original Medicare with a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan suits your needs better. Your medical usage and medication list can change from year to year, and so can plan prices.

A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that many older couples overpay by about $690 a year simply because they stay in plans that no longer fit their needs.

Even if you've had the same plan for years, re-shopping for 2026 could make a meaningful difference to your budget.

Use food and nutrition programs to lower grocery bills

Groceries take a big share of most retirement budgets, and rising prices make that even harder to manage. One tool many seniors overlook is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP has special rules for older adults, and eligibility often depends on net income after certain deductions, and not just your gross income. That means more fixed-income seniors qualify than you might expect.

If you meet the requirements, SNAP can add a monthly grocery benefit to your budget, and applying online or in person is typically easy.

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Take advantage of discounts and credits

Many pharmacies, grocery chains, and big-box stores offer senior discount days or loyalty programs that lower everyday costs, even if they don't advertise them.

The National Council on Aging even notes that retirees can access deals on travel, entertainment, groceries, insurance, and utilities.

Most places likely won't advertise them, so it pays to ask. A simple question at the register can save you 10-20% on routine bills.

Utility companies in many states also offer rate-relief programs, payment assistance, or even temporary bill forgiveness for low-income seniors.

Programs like LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) can help with heating and cooling costs, and several states offer property-tax freezes for homeowners over 65.

If you're not sure where to look, call your local Area Agency on Aging or use the eldercare.acl.gov locator. A few minutes of outreach can uncover benefits that ease your monthly pressure and keep more of your Social Security check available for essentials.

Plan your savings and withdrawals

If you have retirement accounts alongside Social Security, manage them with a steady plan rather than pulling money out only when things feel tight.

Start by keeping one to three months of essential expenses in a checking or savings account. Then set a schedule for small, regular withdrawals from your IRA, 401(k), or brokerage account to cover the rest of your needs.

This approach offers two major benefits:

It prevents a single large withdrawal from pushing you into a higher tax bracket.
It keeps your long-term savings intact so you're not scrambling to replace money you pulled out under stress.

Consider a brief check-in with a retirement advisor if you're unsure how much to withdraw or when. They can help you match your withdrawal schedule to your actual spending needs.

Bottom line

A 2.8% COLA won't fully cover rising costs, but small, practical steps can still stretch your check. You can start with one or two easy changes, like cancelling an unused service, re-shopping your Medicare plan, or seeing if you qualify for an assistance program. And as prices shift throughout the year, you can review your budget again and add new adjustments when needed.

Over time, you build more room in your budget and move toward a stress-free retirement where your essentials are covered and your money feels easier to manage.

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