The Social Security Administration announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 on Friday, October 24th. The announcement, that was briefly delayed by the government shutdown, set the COLA at 2.8% or $56 dollars per month for the average Social Security recipient. The increase will start with the January benefits.
The annual COLA has averaged about 3.1% over the past ten years and was 2.5% in 2025. The increased inflation rate for the current year caused the upcoming years to be larger.
SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said, “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, The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
