The latest on the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 bring, finally, a new date for the big announcement, but thanks to that government shutdown messing up the schedule, we’ve got to wait a little longer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is now set to make everything official on Friday, October 24, 2025.
The whole delay is because they didn’t get the key piece of data they need, due to the federal government shutdown: the September Consumer Price Index report (that’s the CPI-W statistic). That number is the one they plug into the formula to figure out the COLA. So, what are we looking at? Here’s what the Social Security numbers will be at, after the potential increase.
2026 Social Security COLA: Why your increase might be less than $52
Well, based on how inflation has been acting lately, the smart money is on an increase of about 2.7%. If that holds, it would mean a little extra cash each month for the average retiree. Think an extra $52 approximately, bumping a typical check from $1,920 to around $1,972. I’ve even seen a few analysts say it might sneak up to 2.8%, but we’ll all have to wait for the final word.
This isn’t just a small change—this adjustment, which starts in January 2026, is a big deal for over 72 million people who rely on these benefits, from retirees to workers on disability benefits (SSDI).
Medicare Part B premiums are also increasing
Now, here’s the part that always seems to happen: we get a raise, and then another cost goes up to meet it. Medicare Part B premiums are also set to jump next year, from $185 a month to $206.50. That’s a $21.50 increase right there. For a lot of people, that’s going to take a noticeable bite out of their COLA bump. So the actual net gain might feel smaller than the headline percentage.
The SSA will spill the beans on the exact number in three days. Your best bet for the real details is to check ssa.gov for your own info.
Let’s not forget the changes that already hit in 2025
This year has already seen its fair share of tweaks to Social Security, all trying to keep up with the times. Here’s a quick recap of what went down:
First, we got the 2.5% COLA for 2025. They announced it back on October 10, 2024, and it started up in January. For the average person, that worked out to about $48 more a month.
Then there’s the taxable income cap. That’s the amount of your earnings that get taxed for Social Security. That ceiling got raised to $176,100 for 2025. It means higher earners are paying in a bit more, which supposedly helps the system’s bottom line.
They also nudged the Full Retirement Age (FRA) up again. If you were born in 1959, your FRA in 2025 became 66 years and 10 months. It’s all part of the slow climb to 67. It’s a reminder that claiming early will still shrink your check for good.
Cuts to some Social Security programs by Trump’s decree
And then there’s the elephant in the room: proposed cuts to SSDI. The Trump administration has been pushing a plan that would cut disability eligibility by about 20%, making it tougher for new applicants to get in.
It wouldn’t touch current retirees directly, but it’s a huge deal for anyone trying to switch from disability to retirement down the line. They’re talking about phasing this in slowly, aiming for 2026.
A SSA spokesperson who didn’t want to be named explained that these aren’t easy choices. Changes like raising the retirement age or tightening disability rules are their way of trying to keep the program afloat. With all the baby boomers retiring, the number of workers supporting each beneficiary is shrinking fast. But honestly, these moves are controversial for a reason.
Critics worry they’ll just make life harder for people who are already struggling, low-income families and those with disabilities. Groups like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities keep stressing that whatever we do, we can’t forget about fairness. It’s a tough balance.