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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Laura M.
This raise does not keep up with current inflation. Period.
Tony
Is the Trump administration going to claim the illegal immigrants get this too.
There is 22 states experiencing a recession but the increase in inflation and cost of living raise to 3%. These 22 states are worse off than before and are experiencing stagflation.
The government shutdown probably won’t end today, so some seniors, disabled, and children will go without food stamps on November 1.
Some people won’t be able to sign up for open enrollment in the ACA Healthcare Marketplace on November 1. Their healthcare tax credit to lower the healthcare plan premium will be taken away by the Republicans.
Ken J.
Still isn’t going to make any difference. I don’t know where these people get their information.
Getting $1,000 a month when you can’t find a place to rent for less than $1,200 a month provides “security”?
Their COLA doesn’t even cover the cost of minimum rent, let alone provide recipients with a way to survive. I’d like to understand how $56 is going to help make up a $200 difference in rent alone. Let alone provide anything to obtain a minimal existence.
Liz F.
Why is the COLA amount so low?
The cost of living skyrockets every year more and more. Yet we get this piddling amount according to COLA records that are at their lowest by the years end.
This 2.8 % will not even cover the taxes on our outrageous cost of living. This is a sad country that doesn’t help the disabled or the elderly.
We never see our Loved one’s that’s deceased money paid. Why not?
Glad I’m old and on my way out. Amen
Tania E.
I believe the head Person running Social Security our senators our congresses they all need to go food shopping, needs to try to buy meet and vegetable weekly. They may need to have few tests done at hospital, blood work labs and paid all copays, even pharmacy co-pays monthly if needed or every three month. On top of that realize how much a person that has work more than 65 years and never ever use gov help for nothing is trying to survive now days. Add to all this car insurance, electricity bill, water, soap plus other personal needs. Do citizens need to sell their homes?
Is our home part of our American Dream?
Really COLA 2.8% believe me and others when we talk about our retirement. We plan for retirement; we did our part however our country keeps sinking us and don’t care about their old citizens. Do you really think your data took all real facts and I mean REAL citizen daily estragole to survive?
Have you asked yourself why a 79-year-old person still works parttime at Publix even if he/she can hardly talk well or walk?
I don’t believe any of your CARE. Shame.
I still work in healthcare and i see and hear every day everywhere our old citizen sadness, tiredness of trying get to the end with at least dignity. They count and trust our government long time ago and now their retirement is not even covering basic needs neither healthy food.
Alba
Hello, it would be good at least 5% increase for those of us who earn very low wages and that’s why today we are poor…thanks to God I receive an extra but work a lot and others never worked in the US and also receive that benefit ? is it unfair
Karen
The raise would be nice if Medicare wouldn’t raise their prices by that much & then some. Also the supplemental will raise their prices. So basically us seniors are getting less & the increase isn’t helping at all. We’re still struggling with day to day expenses
Cat B.
But – what will be the cost of Part B? $52 dollars is all well and good but the cost of part b which is outrageous is important and not a mention of that here. No this will be sprung on us last minute sealing our fate and throwing caution to the wind. Many people depend on their social security & even though our government is closed, we will still get our money. The money we put into with our work during our working lives. Instead of giving billions to create a peaceful resolution to Israel (the country committing a genocide of GAZA) & listening to Putin in his genocide of the Ukraine and helping Putin but denying the other – is bad policy making. However, I do not expect anything from a failed businessman who has gone bankrupt 6 times and is now trying to bankrupt America. People on Social Security should be getting double in order to live within the expensive cost of living. These increases are a joke.
philip k.
too hard to get into SS acc’t.why did you change it ? will have to wait until i get my mailed statement. I’m a 79 year old navy vet living on SS.
YOU NEED MY ID PICTURE TO GET INTO MY SS ACC”T ???
Ethan Y.
Here’s a suggestion!: The Social Security Administration itself should lobby Congress to stop using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for retirees! That’s been a joke since day 1 because it does NOT reflect how retirees spend and budget their funds. I forget its name, but I have read that there is another CPI that more accurately reflects retiree spending and needs. Changing the CPI used for the COLA would greatly increase SS’s credibility (not to mention Congress’s).