Social Security recipients to see 2.8% cost-of-living raise in 2026
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Friday that its 2026 cost-of-living adjustment will increase benefits by 2.8% for 73 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The annual adjustment was delayed for more than a week by the government shutdown.
The adjustment reflects the inflation rate that has boosted prices over the past year.
What the increase means for beneficiaries
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The annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment averaged +3.1% over the last 10 years.
The SSA said on average, monthly Social Security checks will rise by about $56, beginning in January. The typical payment will be $2,071, up from $2,015.
Those who receive SSI benefits will see the increase reflected in their Dec. 31, 2025 payments.
Beneficiaries will begin receiving notices by mail in December outlining their new benefit amounts.
COLA increases are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, also known as the CPI-W. It’s a metric that tracks changes in prices workers pay for common goods and services.
Overall inflation rose by 3% between September 2024 and September 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Friday.
Many older Americans say it’s not enough
While the raise offers some relief, many retirees say it falls short of keeping up with rising expenses.
A recent poll from the AARP found that only 22% of Americans over the age of 50 believe a 3% adjustment is enough to cover higher living costs. That same poll showed that about three-quarters of older Americans said they would need a 5% increase or more to maintain their standard of living, while 26% said they would need an 8% raise.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
