What to Know About Social Security COLA 2026

It’s that time of year again: the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced its annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The announcement came later than usual, and the payment increase for 2026 is higher than last year’s adjustment, though some experts say it’s not enough to keep up with rising costs.

Here’s what you should know about Social Security COLA 2026, including the new benefit amount and proposed changes that could affect how payments are calculated:

• The SSA announced a 2.8% COLA  for 2026, which applies to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
• While 2.8% is more than the 2.5% increase in 2025, analysts and advocacy groups note that it may not be enough to cover rising living costs, especially for healthcare, housing, and everyday expenses.
• This year’s COLA announcement was delayed because the government shutdown affected the release of the inflation data SSA uses to calculate increases. However, Social Security payments will continue during the government shutdown.
• SSA documentation and legislative proposals suggest future COLAs may be calculated differently. These are just proposals for now and not law.

Disability recipients don’t need to take action to receive their 2026 increase. But if your benefits were denied or reduced in the past year, the new COLA may affect how your claim is evaluated.

Your Social Security 2026 COLA Questions, Answered

What is the Social Security COLA and how is it calculated?

The cost-of-living adjustment is an annual increase the Social Security Administration applies to benefits to help keep up with inflation. For SSDI and SSI recipients, COLA ensures your monthly payments better reflect rising costs for essentials like food, housing, and healthcare.

The SSA calculates the COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year. Your benefits adjust automatically—you don’t need to reapply or take any action.

How much will my SSI or SSDI payments go up in 2026?

Based on the 2.8% increase for 2026, recipients can expect to receive the following adjusted amounts:

SSI recipients:

• The federal maximum payment rises to $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 per month for a couple.
• Actual payments may be lower, depending on other income, resources, or state supplements.
• Increases take effect with the December 31, 2025 payment.

SSDI recipients:

• The average SSDI benefit rises from about $1,586 to $1,630 per month using the 2.8% calculation.
• As an example, if you currently receive $1,200 per month, your payment will go up by about $34 per month.
• The new payment starts in January 2026.

Benefit Type	2025 Amount	2026 COLA (2.8%)	2026 Amount	Details
SSI – Individual (federal maximum)	$967	2.8%	$994	Actual payment may be lower based on income/resources; state supplements may add more.
SSI – Couple (federal maximum)	$1,450	2.8%	$1,491	Actual payment may be lower based on combined income/resources; state supplements may add more.
SSDI – Average benefit	$1,586	2.8%	$1,630	Individual SSDI amounts vary based on earnings (e.g., $1,200 → ~$1,234).

Will the 2026 COLA cover rising prices?

Because many disability recipients have limited income and assets, they may be concerned about whether the 2.8% payment bump is enough to keep pace with inflation. Any increase is helpful, but rising costs for expenses like housing, healthcare, and utilities can outpace COLA increases, and many Americans say they’re already feeling the pinch from higher prices.

A survey from AARP released in October 2025 found that only 22% of Americans age 50-plus think that this year’s COLA is enough to keep up with rising prices. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said that an increase of at least 5% is needed to help Social Security recipients afford everyday living expenses, with one quarter saying that an 8% increase would be necessary.

The latest inflation report shows consumer prices rose 0.3% in September, bringing the 2025 annual inflation rate to 3%. This is the highest since January, but still slightly below the Social Security COLA 2026 increase.

Could future COLAs change?

For current SSDI/SSI recipients, the 2026 COLA is locked in. You don’t need to take any action to see the 2.8% increase reflected in your payments. However, legislative proposals and internal SSA options could change how future COLAs are calculated.

“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security.”

Before 1975, a new law was required each time Social Security benefits were increased. After Congress passed legislation in 1972, the increases became automatic using the CPI‑W to measure inflation and adjust benefits each year. But looking ahead, lawmakers and the SSA have floated some proposals to change the COLA formula.

One proposed change is to shift to a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI‑E) calculation starting in 2027. This change would better reflect spending patterns of seniors and people with disabilities and could slightly increase future COLAs. Other SSA adjustment options reduce or limit annual COLA increases. These ideas are meant to help Social Security’s long-term finances, but none are official policy yet.

What should SSDI or SSI recipients watch out for?

If the benefit increase you actually receive based on the 2.8% increase doesn’t look right, keep in mind that several factors can affect your payment, including:

• Medicare or other premium deductions may offset some of your increase.
• SSI resource and income limits remain unchanged and still apply, even with a COLA bump.
• Overpayments or prior adjustments could reduce what you receive.
• Interaction with other benefits and payments, like workers’ compensation or injury settlements, can also affect your monthly amount.

SSA said will start notifying recipients by mail about their new benefit amount starting in early December. Recipients with a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online and set up text or email alerts to notify them about their new benefit amount.

What if my COLA increase doesn’t show up or seems wrong?

For approved SSDI or SSI recipients, the new COLA will apply automatically. You don’t have to take any new or special action, but if it doesn’t appear as expected:

• Check your my Social Security in November or December.
• Review your payment notice for the updated benefit amount.
• If the increase is missing or incorrect, contact SSA.

For those with pending claims or appeals, the 2026 COLA may be applied to backpay and ongoing payments once the claim is approved. Having an attorney review your case can help ensure you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to, including any adjustments tied to COLA.