Social Security benefits will rise in 2026 based on inflation measured through September 2025

Every year, Social Security adjusts benefit payments to account for inflation. This annual change is called a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and will take effect when benefits are paid in January 2026. The exact percentage increase depends on how much prices rose between July 2024 and September 2025 — a period the government measures to calculate inflation.

The COLA affects everyone receiving Social Security: retirees, disabled workers, and survivors of workers who have died. It also affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Medicare premiums are adjusted separately, so your net benefit increase may be smaller than the COLA percentage if your premiums go up at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and applied to January 2026 payments based on inflation from July 2024 through September 2025.
  • The exact percentage is not known until October 2025 — Social Security does not estimate or project the COLA in advance.
  • All Social Security recipients receive the same COLA percentage; the dollar amount of your increase depends on your current benefit amount.
  • Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are adjusted separately, so your take-home benefit may increase less than the COLA percentage shows.
  • You do not need to do anything to receive the increase — it is applied automatically to your account in January 2026.

How the COLA is calculated and announced

Social Security uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to measure inflation. This index tracks price changes for food, housing, transportation, medical care, and other goods and services. The government compares prices from the third quarter of one year (July, August, September) to the third quarter of the previous year.

For the 2026 COLA, Social Security will compare prices from July through September 2025 to July through September 2024. The announcement happens in mid-October 2025. If inflation was higher, the COLA percentage will be higher. If inflation was lower or prices fell, the COLA will be lower or zero. Social Security has not announced the 2026 COLA yet because the measurement period has not ended.

Once announced, the COLA applies uniformly to all beneficiaries. If the COLA is 3%, someone receiving $1,500 per month gets a $45 increase, while someone receiving $3,000 per month gets a $90 increase. The percentage is the same; the dollar amount scales with your benefit.

What changed from 2024 to 2025

The 2025 COLA was 3.2%, announced in October 2024. This means all Social Security beneficiaries saw their January 2025 payments increase by 3.2%. The 2024 COLA was 3.2% as well. Before that, 2023 had a 8.7% COLA — one of the largest increases in decades, driven by high inflation in 2022.

These past increases do not predict what 2026 will bring. Each year's COLA depends entirely on inflation during that specific measurement period. A reader planning a budget should not assume 2026 will match 2025 or 2024.

How Medicare premiums affect your net increase

Social Security benefits and Medicare premiums are adjusted on different schedules. Most people have Medicare Part B premiums deducted directly from their Social Security payment. If Part B premiums rise in 2026, your net benefit increase will be smaller than the COLA percentage.

For example, if the 2026 COLA is 2.5% and your benefit increases by $40, but your Medicare Part B premium rises by $15, your actual take-home increase is $25. The COLA itself is still 2.5%, but the money you receive after premiums is less. Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums also vary by plan and may change, further affecting what you actually receive.

Social Security publishes the new Medicare premiums in late November 2025, after the COLA is announced. This gives you a clearer picture of your actual benefit in January 2026.

When the increase appears in your account

The 2026 COLA takes effect with the January 2026 payment. Most Social Security recipients receive payments on the third Wednesday of each month, though some receive them on the first, second, or fourth Wednesday depending on their birth date. Your January payment will reflect the COLA increase.

If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the money will appear in your bank account on your regular payment date in January. If you receive a paper check, it will arrive by mail. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any action — the increase is applied automatically.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments also increase with the COLA, effective January 1, 2026. The same timing applies: the increase is automatic and requires no action on your part.

Planning for 2026 with an unknown COLA

Because the 2026 COLA will not be announced until October 2025, you cannot know the exact increase when planning your 2026 budget. However, you can prepare by reviewing your current benefit statement on ssa.gov, which shows your current monthly payment. Multiply that by a range — say, 2% to 4% — to estimate a low and high scenario for 2026.

If you are still working and earning income, remember that Social Security has an earnings limit for people under full retirement age. In 2025, the limit is $23,400 per year. If you exceed it, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. This reduction is separate from the COLA and applies only to people who have not yet reached full retirement age.

If you are receiving Medicare, set aside time in November 2025 to review your Part D prescription drug plan. Premiums and formularies (the list of covered drugs) change every year, and the COLA announcement in October gives you time to switch plans before January if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out the 2026 COLA before October 2025?

No. Social Security does not estimate or project the COLA in advance. The announcement always happens in mid-October, after the measurement period ends on September 30. Some news outlets publish predictions based on inflation trends, but these are not official and often change as new data comes in.

Will the 2026 COLA be the same as 2025?

It may be, but there is no way to know until October 2025. The 2025 COLA was 3.2%, but that does not mean 2026 will match it. Each year's COLA depends on inflation during that specific 12-month period. Inflation can rise, fall, or stay roughly the same year to year.

What if I disagree with the COLA amount?

The COLA is set by law and calculated using the CPI-W index. You cannot dispute the percentage itself. However, if you believe your benefit amount is wrong for reasons unrelated to the COLA — such as a missing year of earnings or an incorrect birth date — you can contact Social Security to review your record.

Does the COLA apply if I am still working?

Yes. The COLA applies to all beneficiaries regardless of work status. However, if you are under full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit, Social Security will reduce your benefit. The COLA still applies to your reduced amount.

How do I check my current Social Security benefit amount?

Create an account on ssa.gov and sign in to view your benefit statement. It shows your current monthly payment, your earnings history, and estimates for future benefits. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office to request a statement by mail.