Social Security recipients to see 2.8% cost-of-living raise in 2026

The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026, but older Americans say it may not be enough. — Image credit: Getty Images

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Summary

COLA increase announced

The Social Security Administration said checks will increase 2.8% in 2026 due to the cost-of-living adjustment.

Notifications go out in December

Beneficiaries will receive a notice in the mail starting in December detailing how their benefits will change next year.

Older Americans not happy

A new poll shows that more than three-quarters of Americans over 50 do not think a 3% increase is enough to keep up with rising prices.

Full story

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Friday that its 2026 cost-of-living adjustment will increase benefits by 2.8% for 73 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The annual adjustment was delayed for more than a week by the government shutdown.

The adjustment reflects the inflation rate that has boosted prices over the past year.

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What the increase means for beneficiaries

The SSA said on average, monthly Social Security checks will rise by about $56, beginning in January. The typical payment will be $2,071, up from $2,015.

Those who receive SSI benefits will see the increase reflected in their Dec. 31, 2025 payments.

Beneficiaries will begin receiving notices by mail in December outlining their new benefit amounts.

COLA increases are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, also known as the CPI-W. It’s a metric that tracks changes in prices workers pay for common goods and services.

Overall inflation rose by 3% between September 2024 and September 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Friday.

Many older Americans say it’s not enough

While the raise offers some relief, many retirees say it falls short of keeping up with rising expenses.

A recent poll from the AARP found that only 22% of Americans over the age of 50 believe a 3% adjustment is enough to cover higher living costs. That same poll showed that about three-quarters of older Americans said they would need a 5% increase or more to maintain their standard of living, while 26% said they would need an 8% raise.

Ally Heath

Ally Heath is a senior digital producer for Straight Arrow based in Utah. She covers the West, including the region's water crisis.

Tags: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Inflation, Social Security

Why this story matters

The Social Security Administration's 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 will increase monthly payments for millions, but many recipients and advocates claim the raise will not keep pace with rising expenses, especially as healthcare costs grow.

Cost-of-living adjustment

This adjustment directly affects more than 70 million Americans, as it determines the annual increase in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments, intended to help recipients keep up with inflation.

Affordability for seniors

Many seniors and advocates say the increase does not offset the rising prices of essentials, and polling indicates that most Social Security recipients believe current adjustments are insufficient to maintain their standard of living.

Rising healthcare and Medicare costs

Healthcare and Medicare costs are expected to rise significantly, with projected Medicare premium increases potentially absorbing much of the Social Security benefit increase and contributing to ongoing financial strain among retirees.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 78 media outlets

Behind the numbers

The 2.8% COLA for Social Security in 2026 means an average monthly increase of $56, raising the typical benefit to about $2,071. However, with projected Medicare Part B premium hikes, actual extra cash for many seniors will be notably smaller.

Context corner

The COLA has been a feature of Social Security since 1975, designed to maintain beneficiaries’ purchasing power during inflationary periods. The calculation is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which some argue does not fully reflect seniors’ costs.

History lesson

COLA adjustments have varied widely, peaking at 8.7% in 2023 due to high inflation. Historically, the average COLA over the past decade is reported to be about 3.1%, and the mechanism has rarely aligned perfectly with seniors’ actual spending needs.

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Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame the 2.8% Social Security increase as merely "inching up," emphasizing how it might "come up short" for seniors facing "ever-rising expenses," often portraying beneficiaries as welcoming "any increase" but still struggling.
Media outlets in the center present the 2.8% and $56 average neutrally, explaining "what it means for you" and noting "moderating inflation," while acknowledging some seniors "wish it would be higher."
Media outlets on the right pivot to government inefficiency, highlighting a "shutdown-related delay" in the announcement, thereby linking the benefit to political dysfunction.

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Media landscape

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152 total sources

Key points from the Left

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, affecting about 75 million beneficiaries starting in January.
Inflation data indicates prices are rising, with the Consumer Price Index showing a 3% annual increase in September.
Many seniors feel the cost-of-living adjustments aren't sufficient, with a need for an annual COLA of around 5% to keep up with costs, according to AARP.
Critics argue that the CPI-W measure does not accurately reflect the spending patterns of seniors, leading to insufficient COLA adjustments compared to their financial needs.

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Key points from the Center

The Social Security Administration announces the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment increase of 2.8% for retiree benefits on Oct. 24, 2025.
The COLA increase is intended to offset inflation and maintain retirees' purchasing power, although expectations are modest compared to historical standards.
While the 2.8% COLA may initially seem favorable, Medicare Part B premium hikes from $185 to $206.50 per month in 2026 will offset much of the benefit increase for most retirees.

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See Hide headlines from Center sources 92 sources

Key points from the Right

The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for 2026, which is over $56 more per month for retirees, according to agency officials.
This increase will affect nearly 71 million Social Security recipients starting in January 2026, while approximately 7.5 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income will see increased payments beginning on Dec. 31, 2025.
The smaller increase reflects moderating inflation, according to the Social Security Administration.
Frank Bisignano stated that the adjustment helps benefits reflect today's economic realities.

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