Social Security benefits for 2026 revealed following shutdown-related delay
Social Security Benefits to Increase by 2.8% in 2026
The annual inflation adjustment for Social Security benefits was announced on Friday, revealing that beneficiaries will see larger benefits in 2026.
The Social Security Administration revealed that the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year will be 2.8%, resulting in an average increase of about $56 per month for Social Security retirement benefits starting in January.
Over the past decade, the annual Social Security COLA has averaged about 3.1%, with a 2.5% increase in 2025. The higher inflation rate this year led to the larger COLA adjustment.
SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano emphasized the importance of the COLA in ensuring that benefits reflect current economic realities and provide a foundation of security for beneficiaries.
The release of the COLA was delayed due to the government shutdown impacting the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which needed to complete the September CPI data used to calculate the adjustment.
Beneficiaries will receive a one-page notice detailing their COLA, including personalized language and specific dates and dollar amounts for the new benefit amount and any deductions.
AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan highlighted the significance of Social Security as the primary source of income for 40% of older Americans and expressed efforts to protect the COLA and Social Security overall.
Shannon Benton, Executive Director of The Senior Citizens League, expressed concerns about the adequacy of the 2026 COLA for seniors, urging for stronger support to address poverty among retirement-age Americans.
Conclusion
As Social Security benefits are set to increase in 2026, it is crucial to address the financial well-being of older Americans and ensure that the COLA adjustments adequately support their needs.
