February 2026 Brings a New Cost-of-Living Adjustment

Social Security payments will increase in February 2026 based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) announced in October 2025. This annual adjustment raises the dollar amount of benefits to account for inflation. The exact percentage increase depends on how much prices rose between September 2024 and September 2025 — a figure the Social Security Administration calculates and publishes each fall.

The new payment amount takes effect with the February 2026 benefit payment, which most recipients receive on the third Wednesday of the month. If you receive Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, your payment will reflect the increase automatically. You do not need to do anything to receive it.

The COLA affects not only monthly benefits but also the earnings limit for people who work while receiving benefits before their full retirement age, and the maximum benefit amount for new beneficiaries. Each of these thresholds rises along with the payment increase.

Key Takeaways

  • Your February 2026 Social Security payment will include a COLA increase calculated from inflation between September 2024 and September 2025.
  • The exact percentage is announced by the Social Security Administration in October 2025 and applies to all benefit types — retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
  • The earnings limit for people under full retirement age who work will also increase in 2026, raising the threshold at which benefits are reduced.
  • You will receive the new amount automatically in your regular payment; no action is required on your part.

How the COLA Is Calculated and When It Takes Effect

The Social Security Administration calculates the COLA by comparing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the current year to the third quarter of the previous year. For the 2026 adjustment, this means comparing September 2025 prices to September 2024 prices. The percentage increase in that index becomes the COLA percentage.

Once announced in October 2025, the adjustment applies to all benefit payments issued in February 2026 and beyond. The Social Security Administration sends a notice to each beneficiary in December or January showing the new payment amount. If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the increased amount will appear in your bank account on your regular payment date in February.

The COLA has varied significantly over the years. Some years the adjustment is small — less than 1 percent — while other years it exceeds 5 percent. The amount depends entirely on inflation during the measurement period, not on decisions made by Congress or the Social Security Administration.

Who Receives the February 2026 COLA Increase

All people receiving Social Security retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) receive the COLA increase. Survivor benefits — payments to spouses and children of deceased workers — also increase by the same percentage.

If you are receiving benefits as a spouse or ex-spouse of a worker, your payment increases along with the worker's primary benefit amount. The same applies if you receive benefits as a parent of a deceased worker or as a child of a retired, disabled, or deceased worker.

The only Social Security beneficiaries who do not receive a COLA increase are those who have not yet started benefits. When you claim benefits in the future, your initial payment will be calculated using the current benefit formula, not a retroactive adjustment.

Changes to the Earnings Limit for Working Beneficiaries

If you receive Social Security retirement benefits and continue to work before reaching your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced if your earnings exceed a certain limit. That limit increases each year, and the 2026 limit will be announced along with the COLA in October 2025.

For people who reach full retirement age during 2026, there is a higher earnings limit that applies only to months before the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and you can work without any reduction to your benefits, regardless of how much you earn.

The earnings limit applies only to wages and net self-employment income. It does not count investment income, pensions, annuities, or other non-work income. If you work and receive benefits, the Social Security Administration uses your reported earnings to recalculate your payment each year.

What to Expect in Your December or January Notice

The Social Security Administration mails a notice to every beneficiary between December 2025 and January 2026 showing your new payment amount for February 2026. This notice, called the "Social Security Benefit Statement," lists your current payment, the COLA percentage, and your new payment amount.

If you have set up a my Social Security account online, you can view your notice early on the Social Security website before the paper notice arrives. The online version is typically available a few days before the mailed notice is sent.

Keep this notice for your records. It shows the official amount you should receive starting in February. If your payment does not match the amount shown in the notice, contact the Social Security Administration to report the discrepancy.

Planning for the Increase in Your Budget

While the COLA increase is automatic, it is useful to plan for how the additional income fits into your budget. If you receive Medicare premiums deducted from your Social Security payment, your net increase may be smaller than the COLA percentage because Medicare premiums may also increase.

Some beneficiaries use the COLA increase to cover higher costs for housing, utilities, food, or medical care. Others set aside the additional amount for savings or unexpected expenses. The increase is modest in most years — typically between 2 and 4 percent — but over time it adds up.

If you are still working and your earnings are close to the earnings limit, the increase in that limit may mean you can earn more without a reduction to your benefits. Review the new earnings limit when you receive your notice to understand how it affects your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will I see the increase in my bank account?

The increased payment appears on your regular payment date in February 2026. Most beneficiaries receive payments on the third Wednesday of each month, though the exact date depends on your birth date. Check your notice or your my Social Security account to confirm your specific payment date.

What if I think my COLA increase is wrong?

Compare the amount shown in your December or January notice to what actually appears in your February payment. If they do not match, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office with your notice. Have your notice and payment information ready when you call.

Does the COLA increase affect my Medicare premiums?

Medicare Part B and Part D premiums may increase in 2026, and those increases are deducted from your Social Security payment. The Social Security Administration has a "hold harmless" rule that protects most beneficiaries from a net decrease in their payment, but your actual increase may be smaller than the COLA percentage if premiums rise.

Will the earnings limit increase affect my benefits if I work?

If you are under full retirement age and working, the higher earnings limit in 2026 means you can earn more before your benefits are reduced. The exact impact depends on how much you earn. Use the Social Security Administration's earnings test calculator on their website to see how the new limit affects your specific situation.

Can I get the COLA increase retroactively if I just started benefits?

No. The COLA applies only to people already receiving benefits in February 2026. If you claim benefits for the first time after February 2026, your initial payment is calculated using the benefit formula in effect at that time, not adjusted backward for earlier COLA increases.