Social Security COLA 2026 coming Oct. 24 after delay
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The government shutdown will delay a key announcement affecting millions of Social Security beneficiaries — namely, how much their benefit checks will increase in 2026.
Social Security cost of living adjustment Data for next year will be announced when the September consumer price index data, which is planned to be announced on October 15, is ready. CPI statement released due to federal government shutdown Postponed to October 24.
“The Social Security Administration (SSA) will use this release to create and announce the 2026 cost of living adjustment (COLA) on October 24,” a Social Security spokesperson told CNBC.com via email. he said.
The 2026 COLA for approximately 75 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will go into effect for January payments “without any delays due to the government’s current funding cut,” the spokesperson said.
Experts estimate the benefit increase could be in the range of 2.7% to 2.8%, based on the latest government inflation data. Such an increase would increase the average retirement benefit by about $54 per month.
These projected increases will be higher than before. 2.5% cost of living adjustment The COLA, which goes into effect in 2025, has seen an average of 2.6% of its beneficiaries drop out over the past 20 years, according to the Senior Citizens League.
However, the 2026 COLA is likely to be significantly lower than the adjustments made following the pandemic-era inflation surge. Following a 5.9% increase in benefits in 2022, the recent highest COLA adjustment of 8.7% goes into effect in 2023. Both of these increases were the highest in recent years at the time.
The size of the Social Security boost retirees receive will depend on the size of Medicare Part B premiums, which are typically deducted directly from their benefit checks.
The standard monthly Part B premium could rise 11.6% (or $21.50 per month), from $185 to $206.50 per month, according to estimates from the Medicare trustees. Higher income earners may pay additional monthly costs known as: related to income monthly adjustment amounts, or IRMAAs.
Medicare Part B premium amounts for 2026 have not been announced yet.
