The Social Security Administration will not announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to advantages till subsequent month, however specialists are already making forecasts.
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimates the COLA bump will be 2.7%. That’s up from the two.5% increase retirees obtained in 2025, one of many lowest on document. But it is nonetheless shy of the 2.9% increase in inflation recorded between August 2024 and August 2025.
“While a higher COLA would be welcome because their monthly benefits will increase, many will be disappointed,” TSCL government director Shannon Benton mentioned in a press release. “[Our] research shows that many seniors believe the COLA does not adequately capture the inflation they experience.”
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Almost 68 million Americans obtain month-to-month Social Security advantages. A 2.7% increase would elevate the common profit verify by about $54, from $2,008 monthly to $2,062.
Independent Social Security and Medicare coverage analyst Mary Johnson is barely extra optimistic: She predicts a 2.8% COLA for 2026, which might bump the common profit verify by about $56 monthly.
Since the mid-Seventies, the SSA has adjusted advantages at the beginning of every calendar 12 months to maintain up with rising prices. Its calculations are based mostly on the adjustments in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) between the third quarter of the present 12 months and Q3 of the earlier 12 months. (In this case, the distinction between July-September 2024 and July-September 2025).
The precise increase will be disclosed on October 15, 2025, following the discharge of CPI-W knowledge for September 2025.
When will I see the increase in my Social Security verify?
Social Security advantages will mirror the COLA beginning in January 2026. Beneficiaries obtain checks based mostly on their date of start:
- If you have been born between the primary and the tenth of the month, it’s best to see the increase in the verify arriving on Jan. 14, 2026.
- If you have been born between the eleventh and twentieth of the month, count on it on Jan. 21, 2026.
- If you have been born between January twenty first and the top of the month, the primary greater verify ought to arrive on Jan. 28, 2026.
Some recipients will obtain the increase sooner, nevertheless.
- If you have obtained Social Security advantages since earlier than May 1997, your first verify of the 12 months ought to arrive on Jan. 3, 2025.
- If you obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI), these advantages are usually paid on the primary of the month. Since New Year’s Day is a federal vacation, these checks will be distributed on Dec. 31, 2025.
The full calendar of Social Security cost dates is available online.
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Other adjustments to Social Security in 2026
In addition to the COLA, there are a number of different points of Social Security that will change in the brand new 12 months.
1. Full retirement age goes up: Full retirement age (FRA) is when you possibly can obtain 100% of your Social Security advantages. Starting in November 2025, the FRA will increase to 66 years and 10 months for folks born in 1959.
In January 2026, the FRA will attain 67 for folks born in or after 1960, the ultimate step in the transition of the retirement age from 65 to 67.
People born on Jan. 1 ought to confer with the earlier 12 months.
2. The Social Security tax restrict will increase: The most taxable earnings restrict for Social Security is anticipated to be $183,600 in 2026, in accordance with the 2025 Social Security Board of Trustees Report. That’s an increase of $7,500 from 2025.
The official 2026 wage base will be introduced together with the COLA in October 2025.
3. You’ll be capable of earn extra whereas nonetheless accumulating advantages: The Social Security earnings check limits how much in advantages you possibly can obtain whereas working.
- For folks beneath FRA subsequent 12 months, the estimated annual earnings restrict is $24,360: $1 in advantages will be withheld for each $2 earned above that cap.
- For folks reaching FRA in 2026, the earnings restrict is $64,800: $1 in advantages will be withheld for each $3 earned above that cap till the month they attain FRA.
- After you attain your FRA, you possibly can earn any amount of cash with out decreasing your Social Security advantages
When can I begin accumulating Social Security?
You can start accumulating Social Security at age 62, though you will not get your full advantages till you attain full retirement age. The quantity will be greater the longer you wait to use, up till age 70.
| Year of start | Social Security full retirement age |
|---|---|
| 1943-1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and two months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and eight months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
Social Security FAQs
How is the Social Security COLA calculated?
The COLA relies on the year-over-year exercise of the CPI-W, which measures the costs of meals, clothes, shelter, transportation, medical care, recreation and different items and companies. If there was an increase in the CPI-W from Q3 of the earlier 12 months to Q3 of the present 12 months, that quantity (rounded to the closest tenth of a p.c) turns into the COLA.
Can the COLA ever be unfavourable?
No, the COLA will by no means go backwards. If the CPI-W decreases, Social Security advantages will merely stay static. Since the system was began in 1975, there have been three years with no COLAs: 2010, 2011 and 2016.
Are Social Security advantages taxable?
Social Security funds have been taxable since 1984, however whether or not your verify is taxed depends upon how much you earn: If your earnings is underneath $25,000 ($32,000 for married {couples}), your advantages are usually not taxed. If you earn between $25,000 and $34,000 as a single filer (between $32,000 and $44,000 as a married couple), as much as half of your advantages may be taxed. And in the event you earn above $34,000 ($44,000 for married {couples}), as much as 85% of your advantages may be taxed.
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