The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for Social Security benefit recipients will be 2.8%. This yearly adjustment helps beneficiaries keep pace with inflation and rising living costs.
The announcement, delayed 10 days due to the government shutdown, is based on third-quarter data from the Consumer Price Index, which measures the cost of everyday goods and services.
For the 75 million retired seniors and disabled workers who rely on Social Security disability or retirement benefits, the annual COLA is crucial to their financial stability.
Who Will Get the 2026 COLA Increase?
Social Security offers monthly benefits to qualified retired and disabled workers, their dependents, and survivors of insured workers.
- Retirees: Anyone receiving Social Security retirement benefits.
- Disabled workers: People receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on their work history and contributions to Social Security.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients: SSI is a federal program offering monthly financial aid to individuals who are 65 or older, disabled, or blind, and have limited earnings and resources. SSI does not require a work history.
- Individuals who are blind or have low vision, receiving monthly SSDI or SSI payments.
- Dependents and survivors: Eligible family members, including spouses, ex-spouses, children, and dependent parents, who receive monthly payments based on the work history of a retired, disabled, or deceased wage earner.
- Federal retirees: Many federal retirees will also see this increase. The COLA amount for federal retirees varies based on their retirement system, either FERS or CSRS:
- Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees: Most federal employees hired before 1984 are under CSRS. Retirees in this older system will see a 2.8% increase, matching the Social Security COLA.
- Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees: Retirees under this newer system will get a 2.0% increase. Most federal employees hired in 1984 or later are covered by FERS.
When Will the 2026 COLA Increase Begin?
Recipients of Social Security retirement and SSDI benefits will notice this monetary adjustment starting with their January 2026 payments. The increased payouts will appear on the February 2026 checks.
SSI recipients will get their COLA increase on December 31, 2025.
How Much Money Is 2.8%?
According to the SSA, the increase results in an average of $56 more each month for retired seniors.
For SSDI recipients, the estimated average monthly benefit in January 2026, after a 2.8% COLA, is about $1,586, which is roughly $44 more than in 2025.
The 2026 COLA Increase:
Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2026
| Before 2.8% COLA | After 2.8% COLA | |
| All Retired Workers | $2,015 | $2,071 |
| Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits | $3,120 | $3,208 |
| Widowed Mother and Two Children | $3,792 | $3,898 |
| Aged Widow(er) Alone | $1,867 | $1,919 |
| Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children | $2,857 | $2,937 |
| All Disabled Workers | $1,586 | $1,630 |
The 2026 COLA increase will directly impact many Americans’ financial outlook.
The yearly Cost-of-Living Adjustment is important for all Social Security beneficiaries on fixed incomes. Last year’s COLA was 2.5%, and the 2026 COLA increase remains a modest change.
Keep in mind that the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment isn’t designed to make recipients of disability benefits and retirees wealthier — its goal is to help them keep their current financial situation in today’s economy.
Reflecting on the past 10 years, the 2026 adjustment aligns with historical averages over a longer period. Between 2015 and 2020, annual COLAs generally ranged from little or no increase to 2%.
In contrast, the dramatic jumps in 2021 and 2022—5.9% and 8.7%, respectively—were the highest in many years, triggered by escalating consumer prices.
In summary, the 2026 COLA anticipates a more typical level, providing beneficiaries with a modest yet sensible increase that supports maintaining purchasing power without the volatility seen in recent years.
COLA Adjustments over the Past 10 Years
January 2016 — 0.0%
January 2017 — 0.3%
January 2018 — 2.0%
January 2019 — 2.8%
January 2020 — 1.6%
January 2021 — 1.3%
January 2022 — 5.9%
January 2023 — 8.7%
January 2024 — 3.2%
January 2025 — 2.5%
January 2026 — 2.8%
I’m Currently Applying for Disability Benefits. How Will This Affect Me?
The COLA also raises the maximum monthly SSDI benefit amounts and substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits, which can change annually with adjustments. Therefore, if you’re preparing to apply or have recently submitted a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, the new Social Security Disability thresholds for SGA will increase as follows:
- In 2026, the SGA limit will rise from $1,620 to $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals;
- The Trial Work Period (TWP) threshold will increase from $1,160 to $1,210 per month.
2026 COLA Increase:
Social Security Disability Thresholds
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) | ||
| Non-Blind | $1,620/mo. | $1,690/mo. |
| Blind | $2,700/mo. | $2,830/mo. |
| Trial Work Period (TWP) | $1,160/mo. | $1,210/mo. |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Payment Standard
Additionally, the SSI Federal Payment Standard will rise from $967 to $994 per month for individuals and from $1,450 to $1,491 per month for couples.
The SSI resource limits, however, are set by law and will remain the same: $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
SSI Federal Payment Standard
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Individual | $967/mo. | $994/mo. |
| Couple | $1,450/mo. | $1,491/mo. |
SSI Resource Limits
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Individual | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Couple | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Will the SSA Notify Me Personally about My Benefits Increase?
Yes, the SSA will notify you directly about the 2026 COLA increase, either by:
- USPS mail: In early December, the SSA will send notifications explaining your new benefit amount. This year’s notice will be one page long, showing your updated benefit amount and any deductions.
- “My Social Security” account. If you have a “my Social Security” account, you can choose to receive text or email alerts, such as COLA updates, whenever alerts are issued. If you selected to receive paperless statements by November 19, 2025, you’ll get the online notice before December.You can create your SSA account at www.ssa.gov/myuaccount, where you’ll also find access to services and information, such as replacing Social Security cards, checking your claim status and benefits, and viewing your SSA-1099.
Key Takeaways
- Average COLA increase: Starting in January 2026, the average retirement benefit will rise by about $56 each month.
- Who Is Affected? The 2.8% increase will affect all Social Security beneficiaries. If you are receiving retirement, SSDI, SSI, survivor, or dependent benefits, you will receive the increase.
- Timing: This increase will begin in January 2026. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will notice the increase in their payment on December 31, 2025.
- Reason for increase: The COLA aims to help keep the purchasing power of benefits stable as the prices of goods and services go up.
- Inflation connection: The 2.8% increase is smaller than the increases seen in recent years, which were influenced by higher inflation rates. For instance, the COLA for 2025 was 2.5%, and for 2024, it was 3.2%.
How Marc Whitehead & Associates Can Help
When the SSA denies your disability claim, the impact on your personal life and finances can be overwhelming. Our disability attorneys have helped thousands of people with disabilities secure Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. We understand the hardships of living with a disability on a limited income.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
You don’t have to face the Social Security disability process alone. We can help you at every stage of the process, from initial applications to appealing denials. Contact us for a free evaluation of your claim. You will find that no one will work harder for your case than Marc Whitehead & Associates.
Quick SSA.gov Links about the 2026 COLA Increase
- Press Release: (English)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2025-10-24.html - Oficina de Prensa (Español)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/es/press/releases/2025-10-24.html
- 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet (English)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html - Hoja informativa sobre el ajuste por costo de vida (COLA) de 2026 (Español)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/es/cola/factsheets/2026.html
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information (English)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/ - Información de ajuste por costo de vida (COLA) (Español)
https://www.ssa.gov/news/es/cola/index.html
- Create your personal my Social Security account today (English)
https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ - my Social Security (Español)
https://www.ssa.gov/es
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2026, History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments
https://www.ssa.gov/cola/#:~:text=Automatic%20Cost%2DOf%2DLiving%20Adjustments%20received%20since%201975%20*,%2D%2D%202.5%25%20*%20January%202026%20%2D%2D%202.8%25
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