The latest inflation report shows costs rising due to the Iran war, which should raise Social Security payouts next year.

The Senior Citizens League expects the Social Security COLA to rise to 3.9% in 2027 from 2.8% current year. That would raise retired workers’ average benefits check by $81.17, from $2,081.16 to $2,162.33.

The Consumer Price Index grew 3.8% in April, compared to 3.7% expected and 3.3% in March. 40% of the rise was due to energy prices, although shelter and food expenses also increased.Senior Citizens League executive director Shannon Benton told Yahoo Finance that escalating expenses have forced many seniors to forgo medical care. “Even if the COLA comes in as projected, seniors will feel squeezed.”

Benton and other experts argue the present methodology does not appropriately account senior inflation or expenses. COLA is derived using CPI-W statistics for working Americans. Advocates want the COLA to utilize the government’s CPI-E for the elderly.

Due to rising gasoline, energy, and produce prices, Social Security expert researcher Mary Johnson predicted a 4.2% 2027 COLA on Tuesday.

“These sorts of price spikes are every retiree’s worst nightmare,” Johnson told Yahoo Finance. “We feel robbed. The goods and services we never considered a few years ago have grown so pricey that many may do without.”

Official COLA is expected from the Social Security Administration in mid-October.