Social Security Announces 2.8% Increase for 2026

The Social Security Administration announced on October 24 that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, Disability Insurance, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8% in 2026.

On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.

Since 2016, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1%. The COLA was 2.5% in 2025.

Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31.

Other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, 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 people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.

Individuals who have "my Social Security accounts" can view their COLA notices online, which is secure, easy and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. Account holders can set up text or email alerts when they receive a new message, such as their COLA notice.

To receive a COLA notice online, individuals will need to create or sign in to their personal "my Social Security" account at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount to opt out of paper notices by November 19. An online "my Social Security" account also gives individuals access to request a replacement Social Security card, view their claim status and benefits, and view their SSA-1099.

Information about Medicare changes for 2026 will be available at http://www.medicare.gov. For Medicare enrollees, the 2026 premium amount will be available via "my Social Security Message" Center starting in late November.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as determined by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For additional information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/cola.