Social Security payments will rise in 2026 based on inflation measured through September 2025

The Social Security Administration announces a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) each October, effective the following January. The 2026 COLA will be based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July, August, and September 2025. That three-month average, compared to the same months in 2024, determines the percentage increase you will receive starting in January 2026.

The exact percentage is not known until mid-October 2025, when the Social Security Administration releases it. Historical COLAs have ranged from 0% (in years with no inflation) to 8.7% (in 2023). Your individual payment amount will increase by whatever percentage is announced, applied to your current benefit.

If you receive Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, the increase applies automatically — you do not need to do anything. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments also receive the same adjustment, though SSI has different rules about how the increase affects your may be able to access for other programs.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA is calculated from inflation data collected July through September 2025 and announced in October 2025.
  • Your payment amount will increase by the announced percentage starting with your January 2026 payment, with no action required on your part.
  • The increase applies to retirement, survivor, and disability benefits, but SSI recipients should check whether it affects their may be able to access for Medicaid or other means-tested programs.
  • You can view your current benefit amount and estimated future payments in your my Social Security account online.

When the 2026 increase takes effect

The Social Security Administration will announce the 2026 COLA on October 10, 2025. The increase becomes part of your payment starting in January 2026. If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account on the third day of the month (or the first business day after, depending on your bank). If you receive a paper check, it will arrive in early January with the new amount.

You will also receive a notice in the mail in December 2025 showing your new payment amount and explaining the increase. This notice is called the "Notice of Change" and includes your new annual benefit total.

How the COLA percentage is calculated

The Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This index tracks price changes for food, housing, transportation, medical care, and other goods and services that wage earners and clerical workers buy.

The calculation compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September 2025 to the average for the same three months in 2024. If the 2025 average is higher, the percentage increase becomes the COLA. If prices stayed the same or fell, the COLA would be 0%, and no increase would occur (though this is rare).

The Social Security Administration does not adjust the COLA based on individual circumstances, income, or need. Every beneficiary receives the same percentage increase to their current benefit amount.

Impact on different benefit types

Retirement beneficiaries, survivor beneficiaries (spouses and children of deceased workers), and disability beneficiaries (SSDI) all receive the same COLA percentage applied to their individual benefit amounts. A retired worker receiving $1,800 per month and a widow receiving $900 per month both receive the same percentage increase, so their dollar increases will differ.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments also increase by the same percentage, but SSI has resource and income limits that may change as a result. If your SSI payment increases, your countable income for other programs like Medicaid or SNAP may also change. Contact your local Social Security office or your state Medicaid agency if you receive SSI and want to understand how the increase affects your other benefits.

Checking your current benefit amount

You can view your current Social Security payment and see an estimate of your future benefits by creating or logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account shows your payment history, your current monthly benefit, and an estimate of what you will receive at different ages if you have not yet claimed.

To create an account, you will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (such as a driver's license or passport). Once you log in, the "Benefit Verification" section displays your current payment amount. After the 2026 COLA is announced and takes effect, this amount will update automatically.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request a benefit verification letter by mail.

What changes and what stays the same

The COLA affects only your monthly payment amount. It does not change your may be able to access for benefits, your work history record, or the age at which you can claim. If you are already receiving benefits, the increase is automatic. If you have not yet claimed, the COLA does not affect when you can start or how much you will receive when you do.

The earnings test — which reduces benefits if you earn above a certain amount while still working — also adjusts each year based on wage growth, not the COLA. The 2026 earnings test limit will be announced at the same time as the COLA.

Planning around the 2026 increase

If you are approaching the age to claim Social Security, the 2026 COLA may affect your decision about when to start. Waiting longer to claim means a higher monthly payment, and that higher payment will also receive future COLAs. If you claim at 62 and receive a reduced benefit, the COLA still applies to your reduced amount each year.

If you are currently working and receiving benefits under your full retirement age, the earnings test may affect whether the 2026 increase matters to your household income. Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies, and you receive your full benefit plus any future COLAs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the 2026 COLA be higher or lower than 2025?

The 2026 COLA depends on inflation from July through September 2025, which has not yet occurred. The Social Security Administration will announce the exact percentage on October 10, 2025. You can check historical COLA rates on the Social Security website to see the range of past increases, but predicting the 2026 amount requires knowing future inflation data.

Do I need to do anything to receive the 2026 increase?

No. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, the increase applies automatically to your payment starting in January 2026. You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing your new amount. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any action.

How does the COLA affect my taxes on Social Security?

The COLA increases your gross Social Security income, which may affect how much of your benefits are taxable if you have other income. Whether your benefits are taxed depends on your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security benefits). A higher benefit amount could push you into a higher tax bracket. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure how the increase affects your tax situation.

If I claim Social Security in 2026, will I get the increase?

Yes. The benefit amount you receive when you claim in 2026 will include the 2026 COLA. Your Primary Insurance Amount (the benefit you are may have access to to at full retirement age) is adjusted each year for COLA, so claiming later in 2026 means a slightly higher benefit than claiming in January 2026.

Does the COLA affect my Medicare premiums?

Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are tied to income, and a higher Social Security payment increases your income. However, most beneficiaries are protected by the "hold harmless" provision, which prevents their Part B premium from rising faster than their COLA increase. Part D premiums are not held harmless and may increase independently. Review your Medicare notices in December 2025 to see your 2026 premiums.