The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced in late October that Social Security benefits, including old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI), and supplemental security income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8% in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1%. The COLA was 2.5% in 2025.
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31. Some individuals receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
At the same time, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, after rising 0.4 percent in August. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.0% before seasonal adjustment. Note that September CPI data collection was completed before the government shutdown and lapse in appropriations.
