The 2026 COLA will increase your monthly benefit by a percentage set in October 2025

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an annual raise to Social Security benefits meant to keep pace with inflation. The 2026 COLA amount will be announced in October 2025 and will take effect in January 2026. Your new benefit amount will appear on your January 2026 payment.

The COLA is calculated by comparing the average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from July, August, and September of one year to the same three months in the previous year. If there is no inflation, there is no COLA — your benefit stays the same. If inflation is negative, your benefit does not decrease; it remains flat.

You do not need to do anything to receive the COLA. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, the increase happens automatically. The Social Security Administration does not send a separate notice for the COLA; the change appears in your payment.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA percentage will be announced in October 2025 and applied to January 2026 payments.
  • COLA is based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index and can range from 0% to several percent depending on the year.
  • You receive the COLA automatically if you are already collecting Social Security — no action is required.
  • The exact dollar amount of your raise depends on your current benefit, not on a fixed number everyone receives.

How the COLA is calculated and announced

The Social Security Administration uses inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the COLA each year. Specifically, they track the CPI-W for three consecutive months (July through September) and compare it to the same months from the prior year. The percentage increase becomes the COLA for the following year.

The announcement happens in mid-October. For example, the 2025 COLA was announced on October 10, 2024. The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025. You can find the announcement on the Social Security Administration's website, through your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Recent COLA amounts have ranged widely. The 2024 COLA was 3.2 percent. The 2023 COLA was 8.7 percent, one of the largest in decades. The 2022 COLA was 5.9 percent. The 2021 COLA was 1.3 percent. These variations reflect actual inflation in the economy during those periods.

What your benefit increase will be in dollar terms

Your actual dollar raise depends on your current monthly benefit amount, not on a flat amount everyone receives. If the 2026 COLA is 3 percent and your current benefit is $1,500 per month, your new benefit would be $1,545. If your current benefit is $2,000 per month, your new benefit would be $2,060.

To estimate your 2026 benefit, you can multiply your current monthly payment by the COLA percentage once it is announced in October 2025. Your Social Security statement, available through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, shows your current benefit amount.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients also receive a COLA, though the calculation and timing can differ slightly. If you receive both Social Security and SSI, you will receive the COLA on both payments.

When the increase takes effect and how to track it

The 2026 COLA takes effect on January 1, 2026, and appears in your January 2026 payment. The timing of when you see the money depends on how you receive benefits. If you have direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account on your regular payment date in January. If you receive a paper check, it will arrive with the new amount.

You can verify your new benefit amount by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account also shows your payment history and lets you update your contact information. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number.

If you believe there is an error in your benefit amount after the COLA takes effect, contact Social Security directly. You can visit your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213, or use the message feature in your my Social Security account.

How COLA affects other benefits and taxes

If you receive Medicare, your Part B premium may change in 2026 based on the COLA. The Social Security Administration holds harmless most beneficiaries, meaning your benefit increase cannot be less than your Part B premium increase. However, new beneficiaries and higher-income earners may see different results.

The COLA can also affect whether your Social Security benefits are subject to federal income tax. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus half your Social Security benefit) exceeds certain thresholds, a portion of your benefits becomes taxable. A larger benefit from the COLA could push you over that threshold. The thresholds are $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly, and they do not adjust for inflation.

State and local taxes on Social Security vary by state. Some states do not tax Social Security at all, while others tax it based on income level. The COLA increase may affect your state tax liability depending on where you live.

Planning ahead with the 2026 COLA in mind

Once the 2026 COLA is announced in October 2025, you can use that information to update your household budget. If you rely on Social Security as your primary income, knowing the exact increase helps you plan for expenses in the coming year.

If you are still working and receiving Social Security before your full retirement age, the COLA increase does not change the earnings limit that can reduce your benefit. In 2025, that limit is $23,400 per year. The limit typically increases each year based on wage growth, not the COLA.

If you have not yet claimed Social Security, the COLA does not directly affect your decision about when to claim. However, understanding how COLA works can inform your long-term planning. Benefits claimed at 62 are lower than benefits claimed at 70, but both receive the annual COLA once you start collecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there definitely be a COLA in 2026?

There will be a COLA in 2026 only if there is inflation between July-September 2024 and July-September 2025. If inflation is zero or negative, the COLA is zero and your benefit stays the same. This has happened in recent years — there was no COLA in 2010 and 2011.

Can I find out the 2026 COLA before October 2025?

No. The COLA is calculated from actual inflation data and is not announced until mid-October. Some websites publish estimates based on inflation trends, but these are not official and often change as new data arrives.

Does the COLA apply if I am still working?

Yes. If you are receiving Social Security and still working, you receive the COLA on your benefit. However, if you are under full retirement age, your benefit may be reduced if your earnings exceed the annual limit, which is separate from the COLA calculation.

What if I disagree with my new benefit amount after the COLA?

Contact Social Security to request a detailed explanation of your benefit calculation. You can visit your local office, call 1-800-772-1213, or use your my Social Security account. If you believe there is an error, you can request a recalculation, though COLA adjustments are rarely incorrect.

Does the COLA affect my Medicare premiums?

Your Part B premium may increase in 2026, but most beneficiaries are protected by the hold-harmless provision, which prevents your benefit increase from being smaller than your premium increase. New beneficiaries and higher earners may not receive this protection.