Washington, D.C. – As government go-operate shutdown enter new level, millions of American retirees dem dey face wahala as dem go wait gree for their Social Security payments increase for next year. This shutdown don delay the crucial inflation data where dem dey use calculate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for more than 72 million people. E no sweet at all!
You know say every October, Social Security Administration dey drop the COLA announcement, this one na something wey people dey look forward to, like free chinchin on a party day. The data wey usually dey come from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for September been suppose land on October 15, but because Congress dey play politics, everything don scatter. E resemble say dem no fit find common ground to reopen government.
Experts – wey dem sabi like KFC – don talk say if dem no fit release this inflation data on time, e fit really affect how much retirees go dey collect for 2026. Imagine you plan your waka, and suddenly dem tell you say your pocket no go bulge as you dey expect! (E go pain person, abeg).
The last time wey COLA increase for 2025, dem give everybody wey dey receive money just 2.5 percent increase. This time, Senior Citizens League don talk say dem dey expect 2.7 percent increase, wey go take average payment wey retirees dey collect from $2,008 to $2,062. Na small money but every kobo count o!
But with government shutdown dey on ground, BLS dey slow down, and only one person dey work full-time for the bureau for now. If abeg e go last for long, na so way bad thing go happen. If your budget don dey tight, as e dey for many seniors, you sabi say every delay fit cause ampa for your plans.
Some financial experts dey talk say if government no reopen fast-fast, dem fit see delay for new benefit applications and appeals as well. But don’t vex too much, your regular checks still dey land like clock! “E no fit stop the sun from shining, even if Congress dey play their game,” one expert talk.
Financial literacy instructors dey warn say this COLA delay fit cause wahala for many people wey dey plan for 2026. With inflation dey rise, if dem push COLA announcement back, e fit create more headache for beneficiaries to adjust their budget. But na only God fit stop una from receiving your payment on time!
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump dey try settle matter with the Democrats, but negotiation no easy like jollof rice o! He don’t make am clear say healthcare na the main issue wey they dey sharp their teeth on. As dem dey talk, you go think say we dey watch Nollywood film!
So, my padi, make we dey follow this matter as e dey happen, and hope say our senior citizens go catch the increase wey dem deserve soon before e turn another big wahala!
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