Social Security beneficiaries will receive a monthly benefit increase of 2.8 percent in 2026, according to an announcement from the Social Security Administration on Oct. 24. This figure represents a slight increase over the 2.5 percent rise that took effect in 2025 but is lower than the average of approximately 3.1 percent seen over the past decade.
According to the Social Security Administration, the average beneficiary will see their Social Security retirement benefits go up by about $56 each month beginning in January.
Starting in December, Social Security will begin notifying recipients about their new benefit amount via mail. Individuals who have a my Social Security account online will be able to view the notice by logging into their personal account.
Each year, the federal government determines the change in Social Security benefits based on inflation. This is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
Specifically, the annual COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2026 COLA was based on the increase in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2024 through the third quarter of 2025.
If you have questions about the 2026 COLA or how it could impact your health coverage, our advisors are here to help.
If you’re currently a RetireMed client, call 877.222.1942 to speak with a customer success advisor.
New to RetireMed? Reach out to us at 866.529.1181. We’ll answer your questions and help you get started!
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