Maximum Social Security benefit for 2026, after the 2.8% COLA
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The new 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment not only increases Social Security checks, starting with January payments, but also increases thresholds for maximum retirement benefits.
The maximum Social Security benefit for workers claiming at full retirement age will increase from $4,018 per month in 2025 to $4,152 per month in 2026, following the 2.8% COLA.
Social Security Institution detailed The change was made Oct. 24 as part of the announcement of a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefit payments. Originally scheduled to air on October 15, the news was postponed due to the federal government shutdown.
Other changes in the release for 2026 include increasing the taxable earnings cap and higher earnings test thresholds for older adults claiming benefits while working.
Accordingly, workers who receive the maximum full retirement age benefit of $4,018 in 2025 will have earned the maximum taxable amount each year starting from age 22. Social Security Administration.
The 2.8% benefit increase for 2026 is expected to increase average monthly Social Security benefits for all retired workers from $2,015 per month in 2025 to $2,071 per month in 2026.
The average benefit for disabled workers will increase from $1,586 in 2025 to $1,630 in 2026.
Estimated average monthly Social Security benefits for 2026
| Before 2.8% COLA | 2.8% after COLA | |
| All retired workers | $2,015 | $2,071 |
| Elderly couple both receiving assistance | $3,120 | $3,208 |
| Widow mother and her two children | $3,792 | $3,898 |
| Old widow(er), lonely | $1,867 | $1,919 |
| Disabled worker, his/her spouse and one or more children | $2,857 | $2,937 |
| All disabled employees | $1,586 | $1,630 |
Source: Social Security Administration
Full retirement age is the point at which employees can receive 100% of their earned benefits. Beneficiaries who wait longer to file a claim may receive more benefits. For each year a retiree waits to claim benefits past full retirement age (up to age 70), they can receive an 8% increase in benefits.
Beneficiaries can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, but may receive a permanent benefit reduction for doing so.
Aid collectors may face earnings test
Individuals below full retirement age who receive retirement benefits and continue to work will face new thresholds next year on how much they can earn before their benefits are cut. Social Security Institution is a retirement earnings test.
The cuts could be a “rude wake-up call” for beneficiaries who claim retirement benefits early and aren’t familiar with the rules, according to Bill Shafranksy, a certified financial planner and senior wealth advisor at Moneco Advisors in New Canaan, Connecticut.
“Not only do they face a huge reduction in their benefits, but sometimes I see the benefit completely reset,” Shafranksy said.
More importantly, once the beneficiary reaches full retirement age, the withheld benefits are added to the monthly benefits.
In 2026, workers under full retirement age will be able to earn up to $24,480 per year, or $2,040 per month. For every $2 of earnings above this limit, $1 in benefits will be withheld. In 2025, the threshold is $23,400 annually or $1,950 per month.
Workers who reach full retirement age in 2026 will have a higher threshold that year: $65,160 per year or $5,430 per month. For every $3 of earnings above this limit, $1 in benefits will be withheld. In 2025, this threshold is $62,160 per year or $5,180 per month.
