The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially announced a 2.8 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, affecting more than 75 million Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The adjustment, based on the latest inflation data, will boost the average Social Security retirement benefit by about $56 per month starting in January 2026. SSI recipients will see their first increase reflected in payments issued on December 31, 2025.
SSI COLA Increase 2026: Overview
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| Policy | 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) |
| Increase | 2.8% |
| Effective Date for Social Security | January 2026 |
| Effective Date for SSI | December 31, 2025 |
| Beneficiaries | 75 million Americans |
| Average Increase | $56 per month |
| Calculation Method | Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) |
SSA Confirms 2.8% COLA for 2026
According to the SSA, approximately 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive the increase beginning in January 2026, while 7.5 million SSI recipients will get their higher payments at the end of December 2025.
“Social Security is a promise kept,” said SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “The annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security.”
The COLA adjustment for 2026 follows a 2.5 percent increase in 2025 and remains close to the ten-year average of 3.1 percent.
What This Means for SSI and Social Security Beneficiaries?
The COLA ensures that payments keep up with rising living costs caused by inflation. The SSA uses the CPI-W, measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to calculate the annual change.
| Category | 2025 Average Monthly Benefit | 2026 Average Monthly Benefit | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired Worker | $1,915 | $1,971 | +$56 |
| Aged Couple (both receiving benefits) | $3,226 | $3,316 | +$90 |
| Disabled Worker | $1,537 | $1,580 | +$43 |
| SSI Individual | $943 | $969 | +$26 |
| SSI Couple | $1,415 | $1,455 | +$40 |
Taxable Maximum and Earnings Adjustments
Each year, the SSA also adjusts other program limits based on average wage growth.
| Category | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxable Maximum (earnings subject to Social Security tax) | $176,100 | $184,500 | +$8,400 |
| Earnings Limit (under full retirement age) | $22,320 | $24,480 | +$2,160 |
| Earnings Limit (reaching full retirement age) | $59,520 | $65,160 | +$5,640 |
| Earnings Limit (at or above full retirement age) | No limit | No limit | — |
These changes affect how much income is subject to Social Security taxes and how much beneficiaries can earn before benefits are reduced.
When and How You’ll Get Your COLA Notice?
The SSA will begin notifying beneficiaries in early December 2025 about their new payment amounts.
| Notification Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Online (Recommended) | Recipients with a my Social Security account can securely view their COLA notice in the Message Center. |
| By Mail | Paper notices will be mailed in December for those who have not opted in for digital delivery. |
| Account Setup Deadline | November 19, 2025 — Create an account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. |
The SSA encourages users to “Go Digital” to get their COLA notices faster and avoid paper delays.
Medicare Premiums and COLA
Information about Medicare premium changes for 2026 will be available in late November 2025 at www.medicare.gov.
For those enrolled in both Medicare and Social Security, updated benefit amounts (after any premium deductions) will appear in my Social Security Message Center by December 2025.
How COLA is Calculated?
The Social Security Act mandates that COLA be tied to the CPI-W, measuring price changes for urban wage earners and clerical workers. The comparison is based on third-quarter averages (July–September) of the current year against the same period in the prior year.
If inflation rises, beneficiaries receive a proportional percentage increase to maintain purchasing power.
| COLA History (Recent Years) | Percent Increase |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 3.2% |
| 2025 | 2.5% |
| 2026 | 2.8% |
How to Protect Your Benefits Information?
The SSA warns beneficiaries to beware of fraud and scams. The agency never requests payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.
To report suspicious activity, contact:
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG): oig.ssa.gov/report
- Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101)
Final Words
The 2.8 percent COLA increase for 2026 reinforces the Social Security Administration’s commitment to helping Americans keep pace with inflation.
For millions of retirees, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals receiving SSI, the increase will bring a modest but meaningful boost to their monthly income in an economy still adjusting to higher prices.
“The COLA may not change everything,” said a 72-year-old recipient from Ohio, “but it keeps us from falling behind.”
