US Retirees Will Get 2.8% Increase in 2026 Social Security Checks
The US Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland.
Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/BloombergMonthly checks for nearly 71 million Americans receiving Social Security benefits will increase by 2.8% next year, a slightly larger adjustment than seen in 2025.
The cost-of-living adjustment, known as COLA, will apply to Social Security benefits starting in January and increase the average benefit for retired workers by about $56 per month to $2,071, the Social Security Administration said Friday. Higher payments for Supplemental Security Income recipients will begin on Dec. 31.