The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment and payment increases

In February 2026, Social Security payments will increase by the amount set by the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment is calculated each year based on inflation data from the third quarter of the previous year. The exact percentage for February 2026 has not yet been announced — it will be released in October 2025 — but historical COLAs have ranged from 0% to 8.7% depending on inflation that year.

The increase applies automatically to all people receiving Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. You do not need to do anything to receive it. Your payment in February 2026 will reflect the new amount, and you will see the change reflected in your bank account or payment method on the regular schedule.

The COLA also affects the earnings limit for people who work while receiving benefits before full retirement age, and it affects the maximum benefit amount for new beneficiaries. These thresholds change each year alongside the payment increase.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security payments increase each February based on inflation measured the previous year, though the exact 2026 percentage will not be known until October 2025.
  • The increase happens automatically — you receive the higher payment in February with no action required on your part.
  • The COLA affects retirement, disability, and survivor benefits equally, and it also adjusts the earnings limit for people who work while receiving benefits.
  • If you were born between February 1 and February 22, your birthday month payment may arrive on a different schedule than usual.
  • Medicare premiums for 2026 are set separately and may change independently of the Social Security increase.

How the COLA is calculated and when it takes effect

The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), measured from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. The Social Security Administration calculates the percentage increase and announces it in mid-October of the year before it takes effect. For 2026, that announcement will come in October 2025.

The adjustment takes effect on the second Wednesday of the month following the announcement. For 2026, payments with the new COLA amount will be issued in February. People who receive Social Security on different payment schedules — based on their birth date — will all see the increase reflected by the end of February.

If you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the COLA applies to both payments, though SSI has additional rules about how much of the increase you keep if you have other income or resources.

Payment schedules and when you will see the increase

Social Security payments are issued on a schedule based on your birth date. Most people receive payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month. In February 2026, your regular payment date will include the COLA increase.

If you were born between the 1st and 10th of any month, you receive payments on the second Wednesday. If you were born between the 11th and 20th, you receive payments on the third Wednesday. If you were born between the 21st and 31st, you receive payments on the fourth Wednesday. This schedule applies every month, including February 2026.

If you receive payments by direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account on your regular payment date. If you receive a paper check, it will arrive by mail on or shortly after your payment date. The increase is permanent — your February 2026 payment will be higher than your January 2026 payment, and all future payments will be based on this new amount unless Congress changes the law.

Medicare premiums and how they interact with the COLA

Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for 2026 are set separately from the Social Security COLA and are announced at different times. Part B premiums are typically announced in November of the year before they take effect. Part D premiums vary by plan and are announced by each insurance company.

For people who have Medicare Part B premiums deducted from their Social Security check, the premium amount may change in January 2026, before the COLA takes effect in February. This means your net payment (the amount you actually receive after the premium is deducted) may not increase by the full COLA percentage, or it may even decrease if premiums rise faster than benefits.

There is a rule called the hold-harmless provision that protects most beneficiaries: if Medicare Part B premiums rise, your Social Security payment cannot decrease. However, this protection does not apply if you are new to Medicare or if you have other circumstances. You can find your 2026 Medicare premium amount in your official Medicare notice, which is mailed in October or November 2025.

What to do if you have not yet claimed Social Security

If you are not yet receiving Social Security, the COLA does not directly affect you in February 2026, but it does affect the amount you will receive when you claim. The maximum benefit amount increases each year with the COLA, and your own benefit calculation is based on your earnings history adjusted for wage growth.

The decision of when to claim — at 62, at full retirement age (which is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year), or as late as 70 — remains the same regardless of the COLA. Claiming earlier means a smaller monthly payment for life. Claiming later means a larger monthly payment. The COLA applies to whatever amount you are receiving at the time it takes effect.

If you are approaching claiming age and want to understand how the 2026 COLA might affect your specific benefit amount, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your earnings record and get an estimate. The estimate will be based on current law and current COLA assumptions.

Changes to earnings limits and other thresholds in 2026

The earnings limit for people who work while receiving Social Security before full retirement age changes each year with the COLA. In 2025, the limit is $23,400 per year (or $6,240 per month for the months before full retirement age is reached). The 2026 limit will be higher, but the exact amount will not be known until October 2025.

If you earn more than the limit in a given year, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above the limit. This applies only to people who have not yet reached full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit, and you can work and receive your full benefit.

Other thresholds that change with the COLA include the maximum family benefit (the most that all family members combined can receive based on one person's record) and the substantial gainful activity level used for disability determinations. These changes are technical and affect relatively few people, but they are all announced together in October 2025.

How to verify your payment and report changes

In January 2026, you should receive a notice from Social Security showing your new benefit amount for February. This notice is mailed to your address on file. If you have a my Social Security account, you can also log in to see your payment information online.

If the amount shown is different from what you expected, or if you do not receive a notice, you can contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), by visiting your local Social Security office, or by using the message feature in your my Social Security account. Have your Social Security number and recent payment information ready.

If your circumstances change in 2026 — such as a change in income, living situation, marital status, or work status — you should report it to Social Security. Some changes affect your benefits, and some do not, but reporting them ensures your record is accurate and you receive the correct payment amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the February 2026 COLA be the same as 2025?

No. The COLA changes each year based on inflation. The 2025 COLA was 3.2%, but the 2026 COLA will be different depending on inflation from mid-2024 to mid-2025. The exact percentage will be announced in October 2025.

Do I have to do anything to get the increase in February 2026?

No. The increase is automatic. If you are receiving Social Security, your payment in February 2026 will include the COLA increase with no action required from you.

What if my Medicare premium goes up more than my Social Security increase?

If you are already on Medicare, the hold-harmless provision protects you: your Social Security payment cannot decrease because of a premium increase. However, your net payment (after the premium is deducted) may not increase by the full COLA amount. New Medicare beneficiaries do not have this protection.

Does the COLA affect SSI payments the same way?

The COLA applies to SSI, but SSI has income and resource limits that affect how much of the increase you keep. If you have other income or resources, some or all of the COLA increase may be offset. Contact Social Security to understand how it applies to your specific situation.

Can I find out the 2026 COLA before October 2025?

No. The COLA is not calculated or announced until October of the year before it takes effect. Estimates based on inflation trends may be published by news outlets or advocacy groups, but the official announcement comes from Social Security in October 2025.