Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 24, 2025
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025.
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some recipients receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security,” said Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $184,500 from $176,100.
Social Security begins notifying recipients about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Those who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. You can set up text or email alerts when a new message–such as your COLA notice–is available in your my Social Security account.
You will need to have a personal my Social Security account by November 19 to see your COLA notice online. To get started, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Information about Medicare changes for 2026 will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2026 benefit amount will be available via my Social Security’s Message Center starting in late November. Those who do not have an online my Social Security account will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can find more information about the 2026 COLA here.
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Rusty
Screwed again. This won’t even cover the Medicare premium increase. Thanks Congress. 🤬
Ricky
Does anyone know that cost of Medicare for 2026 has increased?
Leonard C.
The truly unfortunate fact is that over 38 percent of that increase will be taken because of the increase in the Supplement B portion of Medicare. For some of us that won’t be an issue however if you fall in the average portion or this is your only income than you see the problem.
Rick
An increase of 2.8 percent will evaporate with the increase in medicare and supplemental insurance.
Joe
Part B up 11.5%
Medicare R.
And the Medicare part be is projected to be $206.50 up $21.50 from 2025.. in one hand and out the other, and the other hand takes more
than is given.
Anna K.
What will the new cost of Medicare be in 2026?
Mary
Cola doesn’t even cover the increase in insurance let alone groceries, medicine, doctor visits or any other increase. 2.8 is a joke.
Sherry K.
You are absolutely correct.
No
A 2.8 increase will not cover the cost of increase in food, energy, gas and oh yeah the Part B medicare increase that will hit seniors. Yet the Executive Branch wastes taxpayers money on renovations for the White House; releasing criminals from jail and raising the prices for all via tariffs (which is simply a tax increase we all pay). shame, shame, shame all this while the President, Senate and Congress collect a big fat pay check during the gov’t stoppage…again SHAME, SHAME, SHAME
Greg
THE COST OF RENOVATION ARE COMING FROM DONORS NOT TAX PAYERS- WAKE UP YOU TDS! DID YOU COMPLAIN WHEN BIDEN GAVE US 2.5% LAST YEAR AND A 6% PART B INCREASE??????
Margaret C.
are you for real , cola in one hand and they take the increase with higher medicare premiums and insurance on the other hand
Peter
good news