Retirement Social Security

6 Ways to Stretch Your Social Security Check in 2026

Here are some practical moves to make every dollar of your Social Security check count.

By Katy Willis

Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Nov. 25, 2025

Even with a new cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), a lot of retirees will still feel squeezed in 2026. Social Security is rising by 2.8% in 2026, taking the average retiree's monthly gross benefit from $2,015 to about $2,071, before any deductions or withholding.

It's definitely a welcome increase, if a modest one. However, the cost of everyday goods and services continues to rise, so your COLA raise might not fully offset your increased essential spending. There are, however, some practical smart money moves every senior can make to help stretch their Social Security check.

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Revisit your budget

Start by checking your gross and net 2026 benefit amount, which you'll find in your COLA notice posted in your "my Social Security" account. That net figure is what will actually end up in your bank account after Medicare premiums, drug plans, or tax withholding.

Compare that net figure, plus any other work or retirement income, to establish whether it meets your must-pay expenses. What you have left over is how much you'll have for everything else, including your emergency fund.

This is a good time to cancel recurring bills that aren't essential or don't bring you value. If you still need more wiggle room in your budget, look at downgrading anything that's nice to have but not essential to a "lite" plan. It's also worth calling internet service providers, cell phone companies, and other utility providers and asking about lower-cost plans.

Even trimming $10 to $20 from a few recurring bills and cutting a few "empty" subscriptions can free up $100 or more per month without causing you hardship or a major lifestyle change.

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Make smarter Medicare choices to reduce premiums

Health costs are one of the biggest threats to a fixed income, so it's worth making Medicare work as efficiently as possible. For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month, and the deductible is $283. And they typically come straight out of your Social Security check.

During Medicare's open enrollment period, which is October 15 to December 7, you can use their online comparison tool to see whether a different Part D or Medicare Advantage plan would lower your total yearly costs. It's also worth checking if you qualify for the Extra Help program for drug costs or a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay Part B premiums and other expenses.

Use food and nutrition programs to ease grocery pressure

For many people, groceries add up to a significant portion of their budget. So, if you're on a low income and need to stretch your Social Security check, see if you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program has special rules for households with seniors, including easier qualification with a focus on net income, not gross income, for eligibility.

On top of that, federally funded senior meal programs offer communal lunches at community sites and home-delivered meals for older adults. These nutrition services are part of the Older Americans Act and are designed to support seniors with low or moderate incomes, helping you spend less on food.

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Use retirement savings with a simple plan

If you have savings in IRAs or 401(k)s alongside Social Security, the way you use those accounts can change how far your check goes. Instead of taking irregular withdrawals whenever a big expense hits, build a basic plan for the year instead. It's also worth consulting a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning.

One approach is to keep one to three months of essential expenses in a checking or savings account, then schedule predictable withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts so you're not constantly reaching for credit cards. Some experts advise that instead of taking a large lump sum in one year, it's often smarter to space withdrawals over time so you're less likely to jump into a higher Medicare premium bracket.

Add a small, flexible income stream if you can

Obviously, not everyone wants, or is able, to work into retirement. However, if you need to make your dollars stretch and you're able, a modest part-time income can relieve a lot of pressure.

Under the 2026 earnings test rules, you can earn up to $24,480 per year without triggering withholding, or up to $65,160 in the year you reach full retirement age (FRA). Withholding in the years before you reach FRA is set at $1 for every $2 you earn above the threshold, and $1 for every $3 in the year you reach FRA, stopping at the start of the month you reach full retirement age.

Look for help with utilities and housing costs

Heating, cooling, and property taxes can eat away at your COLA raise alarmingly quickly. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a long-running federal program that helps income-qualified households manage heating and cooling bills. They generally provide one-time grants or crisis assistance.

Many states and localities also offer property tax relief programs for income-qualified homeowners, including senior exemptions and credits that give back part of your property tax bill when it eats too much of your income. They're not available everywhere, and eligibility criteria and assistance vary widely, but it's still worth checking if you're struggling with property tax costs.

There are several other assistance programs and exemptions specifically for seniors that are worth looking into.

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Bottom line

A 2.8% COLA is helpful, but won't magically solve the squeeze many retirees feel when housing, food, and health care costs all continue to climb. For many Americans who rely on Social Security as a significant part of their income, thriving in 2026 will mean finding ways to make their senior benefits stretch as much as possible without having to sacrifice necessities or make major lifestyle changes.

These changes can be small, such as trimming recurring bills, reviewing your budget and Medicare choices, and making use of food and utility assistance programs. Make small, sustainable adjustments that don't cause you hardship to make sure every penny of your retirement check goes toward helping you have a comfortable, stress-free retirement.

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