Social Security benefits are rising in 2026 based on inflation
Every year, the Social Security Administration adjusts benefit payments to account for inflation. The 2026 increase is called a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and it means the monthly payment you receive will go up. The exact percentage depends on inflation data collected throughout 2025 — the Social Security Administration announces the final number in October 2025, so the increase takes effect in January 2026.
You do not need to do anything to receive this increase. If you are already collecting Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, the higher amount will appear in your January 2026 payment automatically. The increase applies to all benefit types: retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and benefits paid to spouses and children on your record.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 COLA is based on inflation data from 2025 and will be announced in October 2025.
- The increase happens automatically in January 2026 — you do not need to contact Social Security or take any action.
- The percentage increase varies year to year depending on inflation; past increases have ranged from 0% to over 8%.
- If you receive SSI, your benefit may increase, but your payment amount depends on your state and other income you have.
How the COLA is calculated
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 the third quarter of the current year (July, August, September) to the average for the third quarter of the previous year. If inflation has occurred, benefits increase by that percentage.
This method means the COLA is not a fixed number — it changes every year based on what actually happened with prices. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2%. In 2023, it was 8.7%. In 2022, it was 5.9%. Some years, if inflation is negative or flat, there is no increase at all. The Social Security Administration has no control over the size of the increase; it is determined by inflation data.
When you will see the increase in your payment
The 2026 COLA takes effect on January 1, 2026. If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account with your January payment. If you receive a paper check, the check will reflect the new amount. The Social Security Administration sends out a notice in December 2025 showing your new benefit amount, so you will know what to expect before the payment arrives.
Beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also receive the increase in January, though the timing of SSI payments differs slightly from retirement and disability benefits. If you receive both Social Security and SSI, both payments will increase.
How the increase affects your taxes and other benefits
A higher Social Security benefit can change whether your benefits are taxable. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, a portion of your benefits becomes subject to federal income tax. The 2026 COLA may push some beneficiaries over these thresholds for the first time. The thresholds themselves do not adjust for inflation, so this affects more people each year.
If you receive Medicare, your Part B premium is tied to your income, and a higher Social Security benefit counts as income. A larger benefit could increase your Part B premium, though Medicare has a "hold harmless" rule that protects most beneficiaries from premium increases larger than their benefit increase. If you are subject to income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA), your 2026 benefit increase may affect your 2027 Medicare premiums.
What happens if you have not started collecting yet
If you have not begun collecting Social Security, the 2026 COLA does not directly affect you yet. However, the COLA does affect your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the benefit amount you will receive when you do start collecting. Your PIA is calculated based on your earnings history and the bend points used in the benefit formula, which adjust annually for wage inflation. The 2026 COLA will be factored into bend points used for people born in 1960 or later.
Delaying your claim past your Full Retirement Age increases your benefit by roughly 8% per year until age 70. This delayed retirement credit is separate from the COLA and applies on top of it. So if you delay claiming, you will receive both the COLA increases that occur while you wait and the additional credit for delaying.
How to find out your exact 2026 benefit amount
The Social Security Administration will mail you a notice in December 2025 showing your new benefit amount starting in January 2026. You can also check your benefit estimate online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Create an account if you do not have one, and you can view your current benefit amount and see estimates for future years.
If you have questions about how the increase affects your specific situation — for example, how it changes your Medicare premiums or tax liability — you can contact Social Security directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person.
Planning for the 2026 increase in your budget
While you cannot know the exact percentage until October 2025, you can plan ahead. If you budget based on your current benefit amount, the increase in January will give you additional income. Some people use this increase to cover higher healthcare costs, property taxes, or other expenses that have risen with inflation. Others save the difference or use it to pay down debt.
If the increase affects your Medicare premiums or tax liability, factor that into your planning. Your December 2025 notice will show your new gross benefit amount, and you can use that to estimate your net payment after any premium deductions. Remember that if you work while collecting Social Security before your Full Retirement Age, your benefit may be reduced — the COLA increase does not change this rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do anything to get the 2026 increase?
No. If you are already collecting Social Security, the increase happens automatically 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.
What if I am on SSI — do I get the increase too?
Yes, SSI benefits increase with the COLA in January 2026. However, your actual payment amount depends on your state and any other income you receive. Some states add money to the federal SSI payment, and those state supplements may have different rules. Check with your state's SSI program for details about how the increase affects your specific payment.
Will the 2026 increase make my Social Security benefits taxable?
It might. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security) exceeds $25,000 as a single filer or $32,000 as married filing jointly, some of your benefits are taxable. A higher benefit could push you over these thresholds. Your December 2025 notice will show your new benefit amount, so you can estimate your combined income for tax purposes.
How much will the 2026 increase be?
The exact percentage will be announced in October 2025. Past increases have ranged from 0% to over 8%, depending on inflation. You can check the Social Security Administration website in October 2025 for the official announcement, or wait for your December notice showing your new benefit amount.
Does the increase affect my Medicare premiums?
It may. Medicare Part B premiums are based on your income from two years prior. Your 2026 benefit increase will affect your 2028 Medicare premiums. However, the "hold harmless" rule protects most beneficiaries — your Part B premium cannot increase by more than the amount your Social Security benefit increased. If you pay IRMAA (income-related adjustments), a higher benefit could increase your 2027 premiums.