Is Social Security Guide affiliated with the government?

No. Social Security Guide is an independent educational resource and is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any government entity. For official information, please visit SSA.gov.

What information can I find on Social Security Guide?

Social Security Guide provides comprehensive guides on retirement benefits, disability benefits (SSDI), Medicare enrollment, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), survivors benefits, and the application process for various Social Security programs.

When should I start taking Social Security benefits?

You can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your benefit amount will be reduced. Full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. Delaying benefits until age 70 increases your monthly payment. The best time depends on your individual financial situation, health, and retirement plans.

How do I apply for Social Security benefits?

You can apply for Social Security benefits online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. You'll need documents such as your birth certificate, Social Security card, W-2 forms or tax returns, and bank account information for direct deposit.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work due to disability. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. SSDI is based on work history; SSI is based on financial need.

2026 COLA Increase

Social Security Raise 2026

Everything you need to know about the Social Security raise in 2026. Learn about the COLA percentage, when you'll receive your increase, how much your benefits will grow, and how the raise affects retirement, disability, SSI, and survivor benefits.

COLA Details Calculate Your Raise

2026 COLA Announcement

The official 2026 Social Security COLA percentage will be announced by the Social Security Administration in October 2025. Once announced, the raise will take effect in January 2026 for all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries. This page will be updated with the official percentage and payment amounts once they are released.

Understanding the 2026 Social Security Raise

The Social Security raise, officially known as the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), is an annual increase designed to help beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power as prices rise. The 2026 COLA will affect over 70 million Americans receiving Social Security retirement, disability, survivor, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Unlike a flat dollar increase, the COLA is a percentage increase applied to your current benefit amount. This means the dollar amount of your raise depends on how much you currently receive. Higher benefits receive larger dollar increases, while lower benefits receive smaller increases, but everyone gets the same percentage raise.

The raise is calculated based on inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The Social Security Administration compares the CPI-W from the third quarter of the current year to the third quarter of the previous year to determine the COLA percentage.

2026 Raise Highlights

Key information about the Social Security raise in 2026

COLA Percentage

Annual cost-of-living adjustment percentage

Announced October 2025

Payment Increase

Higher monthly benefit amounts for all recipients

Effective January 2026

Payment Date

When you'll receive your increased benefit

Based on birth date

Calculate Your Raise

Estimate your new benefit amount

Use COLA percentage

Medicare Impact

How premium changes affect your net increase

Hold harmless protection

Historical COLA

Compare to previous years' increases

Inflation-based

2026 COLA Details

How the cost-of-living adjustment works

How COLA is Calculated

The COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. The Social Security Administration announces the COLA in October 2025, and it takes effect in January 2026 for all beneficiaries.

When You'll Receive Your Raise

SSI Recipients

Receive increased payment on December 31, 2025 (for January 2026)

Social Security

Receive increased payment in January 2026 based on birth date

Payment Schedule

Born 1st-10th: 2nd Wednesday of January
Born 11th-20th: 3rd Wednesday of January
Born 21st-31st: 4th Wednesday of January
SSI or benefits before May 1997: 3rd of the month

Raise by Benefit Type

How the 2026 COLA affects different types of benefits

Retirement Benefits

All retirement beneficiaries receive the COLA increase

Early retirement benefits (age 62+)
Full retirement age benefits
Delayed retirement benefits (up to age 70)
Spousal benefits

Disability Benefits (SSDI)

Disability beneficiaries get the same COLA as retirees

Disabled worker benefits
Disabled widow(er) benefits
Disabled adult child benefits
Family benefits on disabled worker's record

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits increase with the annual COLA

Widow(er) benefits
Children's survivor benefits
Parent's benefits
Lump-sum death payment (fixed amount)

SSI Benefits

Supplemental Security Income increases by the same COLA

Federal SSI benefit rate
State supplemental payments (varies)
Individual and couple rates
Essential person payment

Calculate Your 2026 Raise

Step-by-step guide to estimating your benefit increase

Find Your Current Benefit

Check your most recent Social Security benefit statement or payment notification to find your current monthly benefit amount before any deductions.

Wait for COLA Announcement

The Social Security Administration announces the COLA percentage in October 2025. This will be widely reported in the news and available on SSA.gov.

Calculate Your Increase

Multiply your current monthly benefit by the COLA percentage (as a decimal).

Example: $2,000 × 0.03 (3% COLA) = $60 increase

Find Your New Benefit

Add the increase to your current benefit to get your new monthly amount.

Example: $2,000 + $60 = $2,060 new monthly benefit

Account for Medicare Premiums

If Medicare Part B premiums are deducted from your benefit, subtract any premium increase from your COLA to find your net increase. Most beneficiaries are protected by the "hold harmless" provision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Social Security raise in 2026

What is the Social Security raise for 2026?

The Social Security raise for 2026 will be announced in October 2025. This annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter. The percentage increase applies to all Social Security retirement, disability, survivor, and SSI benefits starting in January 2026.

When will I receive my Social Security raise in 2026?

The Social Security raise takes effect in January 2026. SSI recipients typically receive their increased payment on December 31, 2025 (for January 2026). Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor beneficiaries receive their increased payment in January 2026 based on their birth date: 2nd Wednesday (born 1st-10th), 3rd Wednesday (born 11th-20th), or 4th Wednesday (born 21st-31st).

How much will my Social Security check increase in 2026?

Your exact increase depends on your current benefit amount and the 2026 COLA percentage (announced in October 2025). To estimate your new amount, multiply your current monthly benefit by the COLA percentage and add it to your current benefit. For example, if the COLA is 3% and you receive $2,000/month, your increase would be $60, making your new benefit $2,060/month.

Will SSI recipients get the same raise as Social Security in 2026?

Yes, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients receive the same COLA percentage as Social Security beneficiaries. The federal SSI benefit rate increases by the same percentage. However, SSI recipients typically receive their payment earlier - on December 31, 2025 (for January 2026) - while Social Security beneficiaries receive theirs in January 2026.

How is the Social Security raise calculated each year?

The Social Security raise (COLA) is calculated by comparing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the current year to the third quarter of the previous year. The percentage increase in the CPI-W becomes the COLA. If there's no increase or a decrease in the CPI-W, there is no COLA for that year.

Will Medicare premiums reduce my Social Security raise in 2026?

Medicare Part B premiums are typically deducted from Social Security benefits. If the Part B premium increases in 2026, it may offset some or all of your COLA increase. However, the 'hold harmless' provision protects most beneficiaries from having their net Social Security payment reduced due to Medicare premium increases. New enrollees and high-income beneficiaries are not protected by this provision.

Does everyone get the same dollar amount increase?

No, the COLA is a percentage increase, not a flat dollar amount. This means higher benefit amounts receive larger dollar increases, while lower benefits receive smaller dollar increases. For example, with a 3% COLA, someone receiving $1,000/month gets a $30 increase, while someone receiving $3,000/month gets a $90 increase.

When is the 2026 Social Security raise announced?

The Social Security Administration typically announces the COLA for the following year in mid-October. For 2026, the announcement is expected in October 2025. The announcement includes the COLA percentage, updated maximum benefit amounts, earnings limits, and other program parameters that change annually.

Will disability benefits increase with the 2026 raise?

Yes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits increase by the same COLA percentage as retirement benefits. The raise applies to all SSDI beneficiaries, including disabled workers, disabled widow(er)s, and disabled adult children. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits and trial work period amounts also increase annually.

Can I calculate my 2026 Social Security raise now?

You can estimate your raise once the COLA percentage is announced in October 2025. Multiply your current monthly benefit by the COLA percentage to find your increase. Add this to your current benefit for your estimated new amount. Remember to account for Medicare premium changes if applicable. Create a my Social Security account at SSA.gov for personalized benefit information.

Medicare Premium Impact

How Medicare premiums affect your net raise

Hold Harmless Provision

The "hold harmless" provision protects most Social Security beneficiaries from having their net benefit reduced due to Medicare Part B premium increases. This means your Social Security payment cannot decrease from one year to the next because of higher Medicare premiums.

Who Is Protected

Current beneficiaries with Part B premiums deducted from Social Security
Those whose COLA is larger than the Medicare premium increase

Who Pays Full Premium

New Medicare enrollees in 2026
High-income beneficiaries subject to IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)
Those who pay Medicare premiums directly (not deducted from Social Security)

Stay Informed About Your 2026 Raise

Create your my Social Security account to access personalized benefit estimates, view your payment history, and get updates about your 2026 COLA increase.

My Social Security Account All 2026 Changes

Understanding the 2026 Social Security Raise