The announcement date is October 24, 2025

The Social Security Administration will announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 24, 2025. This is the date set by law — it happens every October, based on inflation data from the prior summer months. The COLA percentage will apply to all Social Security benefits starting in January 2026.

You do not need to do anything to receive the COLA increase. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, the higher payment amount will arrive automatically in your January 2026 check. The SSA will mail a notice in December 2025 showing your new benefit amount.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA will be announced on October 24, 2025, and the increase takes effect with January 2026 payments.
  • The COLA percentage is based on inflation measured from July through September of the prior year.
  • All current beneficiaries receive the increase automatically — no action is required on your part.
  • You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing your new benefit amount for 2026.
  • The COLA affects retirement benefits, disability benefits, and survivor benefits equally.

How the COLA is calculated

The COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), a measure of inflation published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The SSA compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of one year to the same three months of the prior year. If inflation has occurred, the percentage increase becomes that year's COLA.

The calculation is automatic and set by federal law. The SSA does not decide the percentage — it is determined by the inflation data. If there is no inflation or if inflation is negative, the COLA can be zero or result in no increase, though this is rare. The last time there was no COLA increase was 2010 and 2011.

What the COLA affects

The COLA applies to all types of Social Security benefits: retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability benefits (SSDI), and survivor benefits paid to family members of deceased workers. Spouses and children receiving benefits on a worker's record also receive the same percentage increase.

The COLA also affects the earnings limit for people who work while receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age. It affects the maximum family benefit amount and the substantial gainful activity threshold used for disability determinations. These dollar amounts are adjusted each year using the COLA percentage.

When you will see the increase

The increase takes effect with the January 2026 payment. If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account in early January. If you receive a paper check, it will arrive in mid-January. The SSA mails notices in December showing the new benefit amount, so you will know what to expect.

If you are not yet receiving benefits but plan to claim in 2026, the COLA will affect the amount you receive starting in the month you claim. The Primary Insurance Amount (the base amount your benefit is calculated from) is adjusted for COLA each year, so later claimants receive a higher starting benefit than earlier claimants would have.

Why the announcement date matters

The October 24 announcement date is important for financial planning. Seniors and people with disabilities can see the exact increase amount before the new year begins, allowing time to adjust budgets. Financial advisors, senior centers, and benefits counselors use the announcement to help people understand their 2026 income.

The announcement also affects other programs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amounts are tied to the federal benefit rate, which is adjusted by the COLA. Some state programs that supplement SSI also adjust their amounts based on the COLA announcement. Medicare premiums for 2026 are typically announced in November, after the COLA is known.

Historical COLA amounts

COLA increases vary widely depending on inflation. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2 percent. In 2023, it was 8.7 percent — the largest increase in four decades, driven by high inflation. In 2022, it was 5.9 percent. In 2021, it was 1.3 percent. In 2020, it was 1.3 percent. These examples show that COLA can range from near zero to double digits depending on economic conditions.

The COLA is not predictable in advance. Economists and policy analysts make estimates based on inflation trends, but the actual percentage is not known until the CPI-W data for July through September is published. Many news outlets and financial websites publish estimates in the weeks before October 24, but these are projections, not the official figure.

What to do before the announcement

There is no action required before October 24. You do not need to contact Social Security or take any steps to receive your increase. If you are already receiving benefits, the SSA has your information and will process the increase automatically.

If you are planning to claim Social Security in 2026 and want to understand how the COLA might affect your benefit amount, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and view your estimated benefit. The estimate shown will be based on current law and will be updated after the 2026 COLA is announced. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with an SSA representative about your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get the COLA increase?

No. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, the increase is automatic. The SSA will add the COLA percentage to your benefit amount and send you a notice in December showing the new amount. You do not need to contact them or take any action.

When will I see the money in my account?

The increase takes effect with your January 2026 payment. If you receive direct deposit, the new amount will appear in early January. If you receive a paper check, it arrives in mid-January. The exact date depends on your payment schedule, which the SSA will show in your December notice.

Does the COLA affect Medicare premiums?

Medicare premiums for 2026 are typically announced in November, after the COLA is known. The COLA can indirectly affect premiums because some beneficiaries are protected by "hold harmless" rules that limit how much their Social Security benefit can be reduced by premium increases. The COLA announcement helps determine how those rules apply in 2026.

What if I'm on SSI instead of Social Security retirement?

The COLA applies to SSI as well. The federal benefit rate for SSI is adjusted by the COLA percentage each year. If you receive SSI, your new payment amount will also be shown in your December notice, and the increase takes effect in January 2026.

Can I estimate what my COLA increase will be?

Many financial websites publish COLA estimates based on inflation data through September, but these are projections. The official COLA is announced on October 24 based on the final CPI-W data. Estimates in early October are usually close to the actual figure, but they can differ by a few tenths of a percent.