BALTIMORE, MD — The Social Security Administration announced that benefits for 75 million Americans will rise by 2.8 percent in 2026, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustment tied to inflation. The increase, which takes effect in January, will add an average of $56 per month to Social Security retirement payments.
The 2026 adjustment covers beneficiaries of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) as well as recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Nearly 71 million Social Security recipients will see their higher payments beginning in January, while about 7.5 million SSI beneficiaries will receive increased checks starting December 31, 2025.
“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,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
The 2.8 percent increase follows a 2.5 percent rise in 2025 and aligns closely with the 10-year average annual adjustment of about 3.1 percent. The increase is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to SSA’s 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Fact Sheet, the maximum monthly benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age will rise from $4,018 to $4,152. The average monthly benefit for all retired workers will increase from $2,015 to $2,071, while payments for an aged couple, both receiving benefits, will grow from $3,120 to $3,208.
The agency also confirmed that the maximum taxable earnings subject to Social Security taxes will increase to $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025. Other key thresholds are rising as well, including the Substantial Gainful Activity limit for non-blind individuals, which will move from $1,620 to $1,690 per month, and the SSI federal payment standard, which will climb from $967 to $994 for individuals and from $1,450 to $1,491 for couples.
Social Security beneficiaries will begin receiving notices of their updated benefit amounts by mail in early December, though many recipients can view their notices sooner through their online my Social Security accounts. The agency is continuing its digital modernization efforts with simplified one-page benefit notifications written in plain language, providing clear details on new payment amounts and any deductions.
Information on related Medicare changes for 2026, including new premium rates, will be available later this fall through Medicare.gov and the my Social Security message center.
For more information on the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment and other Social Security changes, visit www.ssa.gov/cola.
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