How 2026 Social Security payments will change
Social Security payments in 2026 will be higher than 2025 because of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Social Security Administration announces the exact percentage each October for the following year. The 2026 COLA will be based on inflation data from July, August, and September 2025, so the precise amount is not yet known.
Your payment increase depends on when you were born and when you started collecting. If you receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, you will see the adjustment applied to your January 2026 payment. The increase is automatic — you do not need to do anything to receive it.
The COLA affects not just individual payments but also the earnings limits for people who work while collecting, the maximum benefit amounts, and the income thresholds that determine whether your benefits are taxed. All of these shift together each year.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will be announced in October 2025 and applied to payments starting in January 2026.
- The adjustment percentage is calculated from inflation data and varies year to year — there is no way to predict it in advance.
- If you work while collecting Social Security before your full retirement age, the earnings limit that reduces your payment will also increase in 2026.
- The maximum benefit amount you can receive at full retirement age will rise in 2026, which affects people claiming for the first time that year.
- You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing your new 2026 payment amount.
When the 2026 COLA is announced and how it affects your payment
The Social Security Administration releases the COLA percentage in the second week of October each year. For 2026, this announcement will happen in October 2025. The percentage applies to all current beneficiaries and determines the new payment amount they will receive starting in January 2026.
Your December 2025 statement will show the exact dollar amount of your new payment. This notice arrives by mail or through your my Social Security account online, depending on how you receive statements. The increase is not a separate payment — it is built into your regular January check or direct deposit.
The COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation. When inflation is higher, the COLA is higher. When inflation is lower, the COLA is lower. In years with very low inflation, the COLA can be as low as 1 percent or even zero, though this is rare.
Earnings limits if you work and collect Social Security in 2026
If you collect Social Security retirement benefits before reaching your full retirement age and you work, Social Security reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual earnings limit. This limit increases each year with the COLA.
The 2026 earnings limit will be higher than the 2025 limit, but the exact amount will not be known until October 2025 when the COLA is announced. If you are close to the limit or expect to earn significantly in 2026, check the Social Security website in November 2025 for the updated figure.
The earnings limit applies only to wages and self-employment income. It does not count investment income, pensions, annuities, or other non-work income. Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, and you can work without any reduction to your benefit.
Maximum benefit amounts and full retirement age in 2026
The maximum Social Security benefit you can receive at full retirement age increases with the COLA each year. This matters most if you are claiming for the first time in 2026 or if you are still working and delaying your claim. The higher the maximum, the higher your benefit can be.
Your full retirement age depends on your birth year and does not change. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, it ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. This does not shift with the COLA.
If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit is permanently reduced by a percentage that also does not change. The reduction is the same whether you claim in 2025 or 2026. The COLA affects the dollar amount you receive, not the percentage reduction.
Income thresholds for taxation of benefits in 2026
If your income is above a certain threshold, part of your Social Security benefit becomes taxable. These thresholds increase with the COLA. For 2026, the exact thresholds will be released in October 2025.
The thresholds depend on your filing status and what counts as income for this purpose. Combined income includes your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefit. If you are married filing jointly and your combined income exceeds the threshold, up to 50 percent or 85 percent of your benefit may be subject to federal income tax.
If you pay estimated taxes or have taxes withheld from your benefit, you may need to adjust your withholding once you know your 2026 payment amount. The Social Security Administration can help you set up or change withholding through your my Social Security account.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment changes for 2026
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rather than Social Security retirement or disability, your payment also increases with the COLA. SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and limited resources, and the federal benefit rate rises each January.
Some states add their own supplement to the federal SSI payment, and these state amounts may or may not increase with the COLA. Contact your state's SSI program to learn whether your state supplement will change in 2026.
SSI has strict income and resource limits. The COLA affects these limits as well. If you are close to the limit, the increase in the limit may allow you to keep more income or resources without losing your SSI payment.
How to prepare for your 2026 Social Security payment
You do not need to take any action before the 2026 COLA is announced. Your payment will increase automatically. However, you can prepare by reviewing your current payment amount and thinking about how the increase might affect your budget or tax situation.
If you work or plan to work in 2026, note the current earnings limit and plan to check for the updated 2026 limit in November 2025. If you pay taxes on your Social Security benefit, consider whether the higher payment might push you into a higher tax bracket or change your withholding needs.
Create or log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your current payment amount and set up direct deposit if you have not already. This account also lets you change your address, phone number, and tax withholding preferences. Having these details correct before 2026 ensures you receive your payment smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I know my exact 2026 Social Security payment amount?
You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing your new payment amount, which takes effect in January 2026. The Social Security Administration announces the COLA percentage in October 2025, and your statement is mailed or posted to your account shortly after.
What if I disagree with my 2026 payment amount?
Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask why your payment changed. If you believe there is an error, you can request a recalculation. Keep records of your earnings history and any correspondence with Social Security to support your request.
Does the COLA explore to people who have not started collecting yet?
The COLA does not affect your future benefit amount if you have not claimed yet. Your benefit is calculated based on your actual earnings record and the age at which you claim. However, the maximum benefit amount (which sets a ceiling on what you can receive) does increase with the COLA.
Will my Medicare premium increase with the COLA?
Medicare Part B premiums are set separately and do not automatically increase with the Social Security COLA. However, Social Security law includes a "hold harmless" provision that prevents your Social Security payment from decreasing if your Medicare premium rises. Your payment increase must be at least as large as your premium increase.
How do I change my tax withholding for 2026?
Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, go to "Manage Your Benefits," and select "Change Your Withholding." You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office to request Form W-4V, which lets you adjust how much tax is withheld from your payment.