The 2026 COLA will increase your Social Security payment by a percentage set each October
The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is an annual raise to Social Security payments meant to keep up with inflation. Each October, the Social Security Administration announces the next year's COLA based on how much prices rose from the third quarter of the previous year through the third quarter of the current year. That percentage applies to all Social Security checks starting in January.
For 2026, the COLA will be announced in October 2025. You will not know the exact amount until then. The adjustment applies to retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and disability benefits — essentially all payments Social Security makes.
If you receive Social Security in 2026, your January payment will be higher than your December 2025 payment by whatever percentage the COLA sets. The increase is automatic; you do nothing to receive it.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and takes effect on January 2026 Social Security payments.
- COLA is calculated from inflation data and varies year to year — there is no fixed percentage for 2026 yet.
- The adjustment applies to all Social Security beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled workers, and survivors.
- You receive the COLA automatically; no action is required on your part.
- Your Medicare Part B premium may also change in 2026, which can offset part of your COLA increase.
How the COLA is calculated and announced
The Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to measure inflation. Specifically, they compare the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of one year to the average for the same three months of the previous year. The percentage change becomes the COLA.
This calculation happens automatically. In October 2025, the Social Security Administration will publish the 2026 COLA on its website and announce it publicly. Major news outlets typically report the figure on the day it is released.
If there is no inflation — or if prices actually fall — the COLA can be zero. This has happened in the past. However, a COLA has never been negative; if deflation occurs, Social Security payments stay flat rather than decrease.
What happens to your payment in January 2026
Your January 2026 Social Security check will reflect the 2026 COLA. If the COLA is 3%, for example, and your December 2025 payment was $1,500, your January 2026 payment would be approximately $1,545. The increase continues in every payment you receive for the rest of 2026 and beyond, unless a future COLA adjusts it again.
The exact timing depends on your payment schedule. Social Security distributes payments on a staggered schedule based on your birth date. Regardless of when you receive your payment in January, it will include the COLA increase.
If you have not yet claimed Social Security by January 2026, the COLA does not affect you yet. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your earnings history and the age at which you claim. Once you claim, future COLAs will increase your payment each year.
Medicare Part B premium changes and your net increase
While Social Security payments rise with the COLA, your Medicare Part B premium — the monthly charge for doctor visits and outpatient care — may also change in 2026. The premium is set each year and announced in September, before the COLA is announced.
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and have your premium deducted from your Social Security check, the net increase to your payment may be less than the COLA percentage. For example, if the COLA is 3% but your Part B premium rises by 1%, your actual payment increase is closer to 2%.
If you are not yet on Medicare or if you pay your Part B premium separately (not through Social Security), the COLA increase goes directly to your payment with no offset.
Planning for 2026 if you are not yet claiming
If you are still working or have not yet claimed Social Security, the 2026 COLA does not directly affect you now. However, understanding how COLA works can inform when you choose to claim.
Your benefit amount is locked in at the age you claim. If you claim at 62, your benefit is lower than if you claim at 67 or 70. Once you claim, every future COLA — including 2026 — increases that locked-in amount by the same percentage as everyone else. Claiming earlier means a smaller base amount, but you receive payments for more years. Claiming later means a larger base amount, but fewer years to collect.
The COLA does not change this trade-off, but it does mean that delaying your claim protects you against inflation over time, since your larger future benefit will also receive the same COLA increases.
How to find the 2026 COLA when it is announced
In October 2025, visit ssa.gov and look for the COLA announcement on the homepage. The Social Security Administration also sends notices to all current beneficiaries in December, showing the new payment amount effective January 2026.
You can also create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your payment information online. Once the 2026 COLA is set, your account will show your new payment amount before January arrives.
If you receive a paper check or direct deposit, your financial institution will reflect the new amount starting with your January payment. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any action.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I know the exact 2026 COLA amount?
The Social Security Administration announces the COLA in October 2025. You will see it reported in the news and on ssa.gov. Your December 2025 Social Security statement will also show your new January 2026 payment amount.
Does the COLA explore if I claim Social Security for the first time in 2026?
No. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your earnings history and your age at the time you claim. The COLA applies to payments you receive after you have claimed. Once you start receiving benefits, future COLAs increase your payment each year.
Can the COLA be negative or zero?
The COLA can be zero if there is no inflation, but it cannot be negative. Social Security payments never decrease due to deflation. If prices fall, your payment stays the same as the previous year.
Will my Medicare costs go up by the same amount as my COLA increase?
Not necessarily. Your Medicare Part B premium is set separately and announced in September. It may rise more or less than the COLA. If your premium is deducted from your Social Security check, your net payment increase will be the COLA minus any premium increase.
What if I disagree with the COLA calculation?
The COLA is based on official inflation data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is not subject to dispute or appeal. If you believe your individual payment is calculated incorrectly, you can contact Social Security directly to review your earnings record and benefit amount.