2026 Social Security COLA Increase

Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) updates benefit amounts to keep pace with inflation and rising living costs. This change—called the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)—increases monthly payments for people receiving Social Security retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The COLA announcement also comes with updates to Social Security’s income limits. In January, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax will rise from $176,100 to $184,500.

How much is the 2026 COLA increase?

The SSA has announced that the 2026 COLA increase will be 2.8%. This increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W), which tracks price changes for living expenses, including food, housing, and transportation.

• The SSA's latest data shows the average monthly SSDI check is $1,582.95. This 2.8% increase brings the average up to $1,627.27 next year.

• The average monthly SSI check is $717. With this increase, the new average will be $737 in 2026.

The updated payment amounts will automatically take effect in January 2026. If you receive benefits, you don’t need to do anything to receive the increase.

“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 in a statement. “The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”

COLA increase

This year’s 2.8% COLA increase tops last year’s 2.5% and is in line with the 20-year average of 2.6%.

2026 COLA impact

We recently surveyed more than 400 SSDI and SSI beneficiaries to learn what they expected from the 2026 COLA and how they were preparing financially.

Now that the official COLA has been announced, it’s clear that many recipients anticipated a larger increase. More than 1 in 10 (11%) expected a “Trump bump” to boost their benefits significantly.

On average, respondents predicted a 2.2% increase, but said they would need at least 5.1% to cover their basic living expenses.

How do I find my 2026 benefit amount?

The Social Security Administration will begin mailing notices about new benefit amounts in December. If you have a mySSA account, you can view your updated benefit amount online and sign up for alerts to see it sooner. To access your notice online, make sure to create your mySSA account by November 19th.

Will VA disability benefits increase in 2026?

Yes, Veterans’ Disability Compensation will also increase by 2.8% in January. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjusts its benefit amounts each year based on the Social Security COLA, following President Biden’s signing of the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023.

More on COLA:

What Social Security Disability Recipients Expect From the 2026 COLA

By Sarah Aitchison

2025 Social Security COLA Increase

By Sarah Aitchison