The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits plays a vital role in helping retirees, disabled workers, and other beneficiaries keep pace with inflation. Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announces the upcoming COLA based on third-quarter inflation data — and the 2026 adjustment is expected to be no different.
So, when will the 2026 Social Security COLA be announced, and how big could the increase be?
When Will the 2026 COLA Be Announced?
The official COLA for 2026 will be announced by the Social Security Administration in October 2025, shortly after the release of September’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) — the inflation metric used to calculate the adjustment.
In 2024, the SSA announced the 3.2% COLA for 2025 on October 12, following the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ CPI-W release that morning. A similar timeline is expected this year.
🔹 Estimated Announcement Date:
October 10–16, 2025, depending on the CPI release schedule.
Once announced, the COLA will apply to benefits paid beginning January 2026.
How Is the COLA Calculated?
The COLA is based on the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year, compared to the same period from the previous year. If the average CPI-W has increased, beneficiaries receive a COLA equal to that percentage change — rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.
For example, if the average CPI-W increases by 2.6%, the COLA will be set at 2.6%.
If prices remain flat or decline, there is no COLA issued.
What Will the 2026 COLA Be?
While the official number won’t be announced until October, early estimates from analysts suggest a smaller COLA for 2026 due to moderating inflation. The nonpartisan Senior Citizens League is currently projecting a 2026 COLA between 2.4% and 2.6% — lower than the 3.2% increase issued for 2025.
“As inflation continues to cool, the size of next year’s COLA may return to historical norms,” said Mary Johnson, a Social Security policy analyst with TSCL.
Why Does the COLA Matter?
For millions of Americans, Social Security is the primary or only source of retirement income. The COLA ensures that these monthly payments maintain their buying power as consumer prices rise.
Key beneficiaries include:
- Retired workers
- Disabled workers (SSDI recipients)
- Survivors and spouses
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
When Will the 2026 COLA Take Effect?
COLA increases take effect in January of the following year. That means:
- First payment with COLA increase: January 2026
- SSI recipients may see the increase reflected as early as December 31, 2025, due to timing of monthly payments.
How to Stay Updated
To ensure you don’t miss the 2026 COLA announcement:
- Sign up for My Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount
- Follow SSA updates on SSA.gov Newsroom
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