October 24, 2025 | Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, benefiting more than 75 million Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
This increase means the average Social Security retirement benefit will rise by about $56 per month starting in January 2026. For SSI recipients, payments reflecting the increase will begin on December 31, 2025.
A Decade of Steady Adjustments
Over the past decade, COLAs have averaged about 3.1%, closely tracking inflation trends. The 2025 COLA was 2.5%, meaning the new 2.8% increase provides a modest yet welcome bump in benefits for retirees and those with disabilities.
What Else Is Changing
Alongside the COLA, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax—known as the “taxable maximum”—will increase from $176,100 to $184,500 in 2026, reflecting higher national wage levels.
Beneficiaries will begin receiving personalized COLA notices by mail in early December 2025. Those who have created a my Social Security account can view their notice online sooner and even opt out of paper mailings. The new online system allows users to set up alerts, check benefits, and manage other SSA services digitally at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Why It Matters
As Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano noted, “Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we ensure benefits reflect today’s economic realities.”
For millions of retirees relying on Social Security as their primary income, even modest adjustments can make a significant difference amid rising costs for healthcare, housing, and everyday goods.