The 2026 changes to Social Security and Medicare

Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and Medicare's Part B premium will shift in 2026, but the exact amounts depend on inflation data that won't be final until October 2025. The Social Security Administration announces the new COLA each year in mid-October, and Medicare releases its Part B premium and deductible figures around the same time. These changes affect when you receive payments, how much you pay for coverage, and what your out-of-pocket costs look like.

If you're already receiving Social Security, your benefit amount will increase by whatever percentage the COLA sets for 2026. If you have Medicare Part B, your monthly premium will change starting in January 2026, and your deductible for doctor visits will also shift. The Part A deductible (for hospital stays) changes on October 1 each year, so that adjustment happens in fall 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security's 2026 cost-of-living adjustment will be announced in October 2025 and takes effect in January 2026 for most beneficiaries.
  • Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles change each year based on healthcare costs and are announced in the fall before they take effect.
  • Part A deductibles update on October 1, while Part B changes begin January 1, so the timing differs between the two parts of Medicare.
  • The exact dollar amounts for 2026 cannot be known until inflation data is calculated, so estimates published before October 2025 are projections only.

How the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment works

The COLA is a percentage increase applied to your monthly benefit amount. It's calculated by comparing the average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months from the previous year. If inflation was higher in 2025 than in 2024, the COLA percentage will be higher; if inflation was lower, the COLA will be lower.

The Social Security Administration uses this formula every year. In 2025, the COLA was 3.2 percent, meaning beneficiaries received a 3.2 percent increase to their monthly payment starting in January 2025. The 2026 COLA will be different because it reflects 2025's inflation compared to 2024's. This adjustment applies to all Social Security beneficiaries—retirees, survivors, and people receiving disability benefits—at the same time, in January.

If you're not yet receiving Social Security, the COLA doesn't directly affect you until you claim. However, it does affect the calculation of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit amount you're may have access to to at your full retirement age. The higher the COLA applied to your earnings record, the higher your eventual benefit.

Medicare Part B premium and deductible changes for 2026

Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, and medical equipment. The monthly premium you pay for Part B can change each year, and so can the annual deductible you must meet before Medicare starts paying its share. These amounts are set based on the projected costs of providing Part B services in the coming year.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the Part B premium and deductible in early October, effective January 1 of the following year. In 2025, the Part B premium was $174.70 per month for most people, with a $240 annual deductible. The 2026 amounts will be higher or lower depending on whether healthcare costs are projected to rise or fall. If you have a Medigap policy or Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket costs may be affected differently than someone with Original Medicare.

If you're enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C), your plan's premium, deductible, and copayments are set by your insurance company, not by Medicare directly. However, they must follow Medicare's rules about what they can charge. Some Medicare Advantage plans have zero premium, while others charge monthly fees. These can also change in 2026.

Medicare Part A deductible changes in October 2025

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and home health services. The Part A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before Medicare covers hospital costs. This deductible updates on October 1 each year, not January 1 like Part B.

In 2025, the Part A deductible is $1,632 per benefit period. A benefit period begins when you enter the hospital and ends after you've been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. If you're hospitalized again after that 60-day window, a new benefit period starts and you owe another deductible. The 2026 Part A deductible will be announced in September 2025 and takes effect October 1, 2025.

The Part A deductible typically increases each year because hospital costs tend to rise. However, the exact increase depends on the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund's financial projections and actual healthcare spending trends. If you have a Medigap plan, it may cover some or all of your Part A deductible, depending on which plan you chose.

When changes take effect and how you'll be notified

Social Security COLA changes take effect in January for most beneficiaries. If you receive Social Security, you'll see the new amount in your January payment. The Social Security Administration mails a notice in December showing your new benefit amount, or you can check your account on ssa.gov.

Medicare Part B premium and deductible changes also take effect January 1. If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, your new premium will be deducted from your Social Security payment starting in January, or you'll receive a bill if you pay Medicare directly. CMS mails notices in November explaining the changes.

Part A deductible changes take effect October 1. You won't receive a bill for this unless you're hospitalized after that date. If you're in the hospital when the change happens, you'll owe the deductible that was in effect when your benefit period began.

How to find the exact 2026 amounts

The Social Security Administration publishes the 2026 COLA on its website (ssa.gov) in mid-October 2025. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your specific benefit amount for 2026.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publishes Part B premiums and deductibles on Medicare.gov in early October 2025. Part A deductible information is also posted there in September. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your insurance company will mail you a notice of changes in October, showing your 2026 premium, deductible, and any changes to your coverage.

Many financial websites and news outlets publish projections of the 2026 COLA and Medicare costs in the summer and early fall of 2025, but these are estimates based on inflation trends at that time. The official figures announced in October are the ones that actually explore to your benefits and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Social Security payment go up in 2026?

Yes, if you're receiving Social Security in 2026, your monthly payment will increase by the COLA percentage announced in October 2025. The exact percentage depends on inflation data and won't be known until mid-October 2025. The increase takes effect in January 2026.

Can I find out what my 2026 Social Security payment will be before October?

No, the exact amount cannot be known until the COLA is announced in October 2025. However, you can estimate it by explore a projected COLA percentage to your current benefit. Many financial websites publish COLA projections in the summer, but these are guesses based on inflation trends, not official figures.

Does the Social Security COLA affect Medicare costs?

Not directly. The COLA and Medicare premium changes are calculated separately. However, if your Social Security payment increases and you have your Medicare Part B premium deducted from it, you'll have more money left after the deduction. Medicare premiums are set based on healthcare costs, not on Social Security adjustments.

What if I can't afford my Medicare Part B premium in 2026?

If your income is low, you may be able to get help paying your Medicare premiums through Medicaid or the Medicare Savings Program. These programs vary by state. You can contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn whether you may be able to get information.

Do Medicare Advantage plans have the same deductible as Original Medicare?

No. Medicare Advantage plans set their own deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket limits, though they must follow Medicare's rules. Your plan's 2026 costs will be detailed in the notice your insurance company mails in October 2025. You can also compare plans on Medicare.gov.