Social Security payments will rise by 2.8% in 2026, giving most beneficiaries a modest but meaningful boost that starts with January checks and averages about $56 more per month for retired workers. This automatic cost-of-living adjustment also lifts Supplemental Security Income beginning with the December 31, 2025 payment, covering tens of millions of people across Social Security and SSI combined.
The 2026 Social Security COLA increase reflects inflation measured by the CPI-W and lands slightly above last year’s 2.5%, keeping benefits closer to everyday price changes without being outsized. For retirees, the average monthly benefit rises from about $2,015 to roughly $2,071, while married couples both receiving benefits move to around $3,208 on average.
Table of Contents
Social Security Payments to Rise by 2.8%
| Item | 2025 | 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLA Percentage | 2.5% | 2.8% | Officially announced by SSA |
| Avg. Retired Worker Benefit | $2,015 | $2,071 | About +$56 per month |
| Avg. Couple, Both Receiving | $3,120 | $3,208 | About +$88 per month |
| Beneficiaries Impacted | ~71M SS | ~71M SS + ~7.5M SSI | COLA applies automatically |
| SSI With COLA | — | Dec 31, 2025 Payment | Social Security in January |
| Taxable Wage Base | $176,100 | $184,500 | Payroll tax ceiling change |
The 2.8% COLA for 2026 is set, with most Social Security recipients seeing higher amounts in January and SSI recipients on December 31, 2025. Plan around the average $56 monthly bump, account for Medicare premium changes, and confirm your exact 2026 benefit via your December notice or your online account. The 2.8% Social Security COLA for 2026 is a steady, inflation‑linked boost that arrives right on schedule January for Social Security and December 31, 2025 for SSI putting a little more breathing room into monthly budgets. For most retirees, that’s about $56 extra per month on average, with couples seeing closer to $88, while disability and survivor benefits also rise proportionately.
Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026
The Social Security Administration confirmed a 2.8% COLA for 2026 after a short delay linked to timing of CPI data, with higher payments starting on schedule in January for Social Security and on December 31 for SSI. The adjustment is calculated by law using the third‑quarter CPI-W average versus the same period a year earlier, designed to protect purchasing power for retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors.
What the 2.8% Means for You
- Average retired workers: Expect roughly $56 more per month, taking the typical benefit to about $2,071 in 2026 based on the official fact sheet.
- Couples both on benefits: The average monthly total rises by about $88 to approximately $3,208, based on widely cited retirement coverage.
- Other beneficiaries: Typical increases for SSDI and survivor benefits also rise in line with the 2.8% adjustment; exact amounts vary by earnings record.
Social Security Payments Timing and Payout Dates
- Social Security checks: The 2.8% COLA appears in January 2026 payments on the regular schedule tied to your birthday or claim timing.
- SSI recipients: Increased SSI payments reflecting the COLA arrive on December 31, 2025 due to the calendar schedule.
- Notices: Individualized notices arrive in December, and updated amounts display in online accounts once posted.
Why Benefits Are Rising
- Inflation link: The COLA is set by the CPI‑W reading for July–September compared to the same months a year earlier, automatically adjusting benefits to help maintain purchasing power.
- Inflation backdrop: With price growth moderating versus prior years, a 2.8% increase aligns closely with recent trends and long-run norms.
- Stability: It marks another mid‑2% adjustment, signaling steadier—but still real—cost pressures for households.
Taxes and the Wage Base
- Payroll tax ceiling: The taxable maximum for Social Security payroll taxes is slated to rise from $176,100 in 2025 to $184,500 in 2026.
- Who this affects: Higher-earning workers and employers will see withholding on a larger slice of wages; this does not change benefit formulas retroactively.
- Planning note: Adjust pay-period withholdings and 2026 cash flow planning if earnings typically exceed the prior wage cap.
Budget Impact and Medicare
- Practical takeaway: While the 2.8% increase helps, essentials like housing, groceries, and medical costs may still outpace the average monthly gain for some retirees.
- Medicare considerations: Part B premiums, deducted from most Social Security checks, can reduce the visible raise if premiums rise in 2026.
- Net effect: After healthcare deductions, many beneficiaries still see a positive monthly bump, though take‑home increases may be smaller than the headline COLA.
How to Check Your New Amount
- December letters: Watch for the mailed notice showing your 2026 benefit payable in January after the COLA is applied.
- Online account: Verify updated payment details in your Social Security online profile once posted and before your January deposit.
- No action needed: The COLA is automatic—no application or opt‑in is required.
What matters most is the net effect after Medicare Part B premiums and other healthcare costs are accounted for. Even with some of the raise absorbed by premiums, most beneficiaries should still come out ahead. To stay in control, verify your updated amount via your December notice or your online account, and adjust your 2026 budget, withholding, and cash‑flow plan accordingly especially if your wages cross the higher taxable maximum. In short, treat the COLA as a helpful nudge, not a windfall, and use it to reinforce essentials, build a small buffer for rising costs, and keep your retirement plan on track.
$2000 Direct Deposit for US Citizens in October 2025: Check Eligibility Criteria and Payment Dates
FAQs on Social Security Payments to Rise by 2.8%
When does the 2.8% increase start?
January 2026 for Social Security; SSI recipients see the higher amount on December 31, 2025, due to the schedule.
How much more will the average retiree get?
About $56 a month, moving the typical check from roughly $2,015 to about $2,071.
Will Medicare premiums reduce my raise?
Part B premiums are usually deducted from Social Security and can offset part of the increase if premiums rise in 2026.
How is the COLA calculated each year?
By law, it uses the CPI‑W average for Q3 versus the prior year’s Q3. If prices rise, benefits adjust higher.
Will working in 2026 reduce my Social Security due to the earnings test?
Yes, if you are under full retirement age for all of 2026, Social Security withholds 1 dollar for every 2 dollars you earn above the annual limit; in the year you reach full retirement age, the withholding changes to 1 dollar for every 3 dollars above a higher limit, and after you reach full retirement age there is no earnings limit.
