The 2026 COLA will increase most Social Security checks by a percentage set each October

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an annual increase to Social Security payments meant to keep pace with inflation. The 2026 COLA percentage is announced in October 2025 and takes effect in January 2026. The exact percentage depends on inflation data from the third quarter of 2025 — it is not set now and will not be known until fall.

If you receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, the COLA applies to your payment automatically. You do not need to do anything. The increase shows up in your January 2026 payment. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients also receive a COLA, though the rules around how it affects other benefits differ slightly.

The COLA has ranged from 0% (in years with no inflation) to over 8% (in 2022, when inflation spiked). For 2025, the COLA was 3.2%. The 2026 figure will be lower or higher depending on whether prices rose or fell between July and September 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA percentage will be announced in October 2025 and is based on inflation data from summer 2025, not on a fixed formula.
  • The increase applies automatically to all Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits starting in January 2026.
  • You will see the new amount in your January 2026 payment; no action is required on your part.
  • The COLA affects your Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from your Social Security check, so the net increase may be smaller than the COLA percentage.
  • SSI recipients receive a COLA, but it may reduce other benefits or affect your resource limits, so contact Social Security if you receive SSI.

How the COLA is calculated and announced

The Social Security Administration calculates the COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This index tracks price changes for food, housing, transportation, medical care, and other goods and services. The SSA compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months of the previous year. The percentage change becomes the COLA.

The announcement happens on a set date in October each year. For 2026, the SSA will announce the COLA on October 16, 2025. You can find the announcement on the official Social Security website (ssa.gov) or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. News outlets and financial websites will also report the figure.

If there is no inflation — meaning prices stayed flat or fell — the COLA is 0% and no increase occurs. This happened in 2010, 2015, and 2016. Even in those years, your payment amount does not decrease; it simply stays the same.

What happens to your payment in January 2026

Your January 2026 Social Security payment will include the COLA increase. If you receive your payment by direct deposit (which most people do), the new amount will appear in your bank account on the usual payment date. If you receive a check, it will reflect the new amount. The SSA does not send a separate notice about the COLA increase, though you can view your payment history and current payment amount on your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.

The increase is permanent and carries forward into all future payments unless Social Security changes your benefit for another reason (such as a change in your work record or a change in your living situation if you receive SSI). The COLA is applied each year going forward, so a 2026 increase becomes the new baseline for the 2027 COLA calculation.

How Medicare Part B premiums affect your net increase

Most people who receive Social Security also pay a Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from their Social Security check each month. When the COLA increases your benefit, your Medicare Part B premium may also increase. In some cases, the premium increase is larger than the COLA increase, meaning your net payment (the amount you actually receive) could stay the same or even decrease.

Social Security has a rule called the hold-harmless provision that protects most beneficiaries from a net decrease. Under this rule, if your Medicare Part B premium increase would reduce your Social Security payment below what you received the previous month, Social Security holds your payment flat and absorbs the premium increase. However, people who are new to Medicare or who did not receive Social Security in the prior year may not be protected.

To find out your exact 2026 payment amount, log into your my Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213 after January 2026. The SSA does not publish individual payment amounts in advance.

COLA and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI recipients receive a COLA each year, and the increase is applied to the federal benefit rate. However, SSI has strict rules about resources (money and property you own) and income limits. A COLA increase may push your total income above the limit, which could reduce or end your SSI payment. Additionally, if you receive both SSI and Social Security, the Social Security COLA increase counts as income for SSI purposes.

If you receive SSI, contact Social Security before January 2026 to understand how the COLA will affect your payment. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. The SSA can explain your specific situation and whether the COLA will trigger a change in your benefits.

Planning for the 2026 COLA

You cannot know the exact 2026 COLA percentage until October 2025, but you can prepare by understanding how inflation affects your household. If prices for the goods and services you use most (groceries, utilities, medical care, rent) have risen significantly, the COLA is likely to be higher. If inflation has slowed, the COLA will be lower.

If you rely on Social Security as your primary income, the COLA helps maintain your purchasing power, but it may not keep pace with the actual inflation you experience. For example, if medical costs or housing costs in your area have risen faster than the national average, the national COLA may not fully cover your increases. Some people use the COLA announcement in October to review their budget and adjust spending or savings plans for the coming year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I know the 2026 COLA percentage?

The SSA announces the COLA on October 16, 2025. You can find it on ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or through news reports. The percentage is based on inflation data from July through September 2025.

Do I have to do anything to receive the 2026 COLA increase?

No. The COLA is applied automatically to all Social Security benefits. Your January 2026 payment will include the increase. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any action.

What if I receive both Social Security and SSI?

The Social Security COLA increase counts as income for SSI purposes and may reduce your SSI payment. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to understand how the 2026 COLA will affect your combined benefits before January 2026.

Can the COLA decrease my Social Security payment?

No. Your Social Security payment will never decrease due to a COLA. If there is no inflation, the COLA is 0% and your payment stays the same. If your payment decreases, it is due to a different reason, such as a change in your work record or a change in your living situation if you receive SSI.

How does the Medicare Part B premium affect my COLA increase?

Your Medicare Part B premium may increase at the same time your Social Security COLA takes effect. The hold-harmless provision protects most beneficiaries from a net decrease in their payment, but your actual increase depends on how much your premium rises. Log into my Social Security after January 2026 to see your new payment amount.