Social Security Cost of Living Increase for 2026 is 2.8%

Posted On January 19, 2026 by admin

“Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026.”

Social Security benefits payments for over 70 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026, the Social Security Administration announced today (Oct. 24, 2025). On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January…. The COLA was 2.5  percent in 2025, 3.2 percent in 2024 and 8.7% in 2023.

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 the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $184,500 from $176,100.

It’s sad to say, but the Social Security increase barely covers the Medicare insurance increases.