Here's Why Your 2026 COLA Adjustment "Feels Wrong"

COLAs need to go up by an equal dollar amount - the same average amount that goes to Urban Workers. The minimum wage also needs to increase (which will raise the wages and spending of the latter). This needs to be back dated to the last time the minimum wage went up. The 25,000 tax cap also needs to go up - but on a percentage basis - since it was enacted. Social Security benefits should be financed by a 6.5% VAT to replace to Employer Contribution and with an employee contribution equal to 30 hours a week at the minimum wage and capped at the median wage.