Finance

Social Security COLA 2026 Increase Calculator

Q: What is the Social Security COLA for 2026?

The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is **2.8%**, announced by the SSA on October 24, 2025. It raises retirement, survivor, disability, and SSI benefits starting with the January 2026 payment (December 2025 for SSI).

Q: How do I calculate my 2026 benefit?

Multiply your current monthly benefit by **1.028** and round **down** to the nearest whole dollar. For example, $2,000 × 1.028 = $2,056.00 → **$2,056/month**.

Q: Will Medicare reduce my COLA increase?

It can. The **2026 Part B premium ($202.90/month)** is deducted from many benefits, so if the premium rises, your net raise is smaller. Higher-income beneficiaries also pay an IRMAA surcharge.

Q: How is the 2.8% COLA determined?

It reflects the year-over-year change in the **CPI-W** from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. The SSA uses this inflation measure to set the COLA each year.

Q: Does the COLA apply to disability and survivor benefits?

Yes. The **2.8%** COLA applies to all Social Security benefit types — retirement, **SSDI**, survivor, and **SSI** — not just retirement benefits.

Q: Is the raise taxable?

Your total Social Security benefit may be **partly taxable** depending on your combined income, and the COLA increase is part of that benefit. Whether more of it is taxed depends on your other income for the year.

Q: How much is the 2026 raise on an average benefit?

On a roughly **$2,000** monthly benefit, 2.8% adds about **$56 per month** — around **$672 per year**. Larger benefits get a proportionally larger dollar increase.

Calculate your 2026 Social Security raise with the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Enter your current monthly benefit to see your new monthly and annual amount and the dollar increase, effective January 2026.

Data verified · July 2026
Edited by Martín Rodríguez
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Data updated: Jan 1, 2026 · Source: SSA — 2026 COLA Fact Sheet

Edited by: Martín Rodríguez (editorial policy )

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Every year the Social Security Administration applies a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) so benefits keep up with inflation. For 2026, the SSA announced a 2.8% COLA on October 24, 2025. It takes effect with the January 2026 payment for retirees, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, and December 2025 for SSI.

The increase is applied to your current monthly benefit and then rounded down to the next whole dollar, which is exactly how the SSA calculates it. Enter your current benefit below to see your new monthly and annual amount and the raise in dollars.

One thing to watch: the 2026 Medicare Part B premium ($202.90) is deducted from many benefits, so a rising premium can offset part of the COLA for people enrolled in Medicare.

When to use this calculator

See your new Social Security benefit after the 2.8% COLA.
Calculate the monthly and annual dollar increase.
Estimate your 2026 income from Social Security.
Check the raise on a survivor or disability benefit.
Budget for 2026 with the higher benefit amount.
Compare the COLA against your rising expenses.
See how Medicare Part B premiums may offset the raise.
Project a couple's combined 2026 benefit increase.

2026 Social Security benefit after the 2.8% COLA

2025 monthly benefit	2026 monthly benefit	Monthly increase	Annual increase
$1,500	$1,542	+$42	+$504
$2,000	$2,056	+$56	+$672
$2,500	$2,570	+$70	+$840
$3,000	$3,084	+$84	+$1,008
$4,000	$4,112	+$112	+$1,344

Source: SSA 2026 COLA of 2.8% (rounded down to the whole dollar). New amounts are before Medicare Part B premium deductions.

How it works

How the COLA is applied

New monthly benefit = current benefit × (1 + 0.028)
                    = current benefit × 1.028
                    then rounded DOWN to the next whole dollar

The 2.8% figure comes from the change in the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners) from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. The SSA announces it each October and it applies for the following calendar year.

Sample 2026 benefits after the 2.8% COLA

2025 monthly benefit	2026 monthly benefit	Monthly raise
$1,500	$1,542	+$42
$2,000	$2,056	+$56
$2,500	$2,570	+$70
$3,000	$3,084	+$84
$4,000	$4,112	+$112

Medicare can offset the raise

If your Medicare Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security check, an increase in that premium ($202.90/month in 2026) reduces the net raise you see deposited. Higher-income beneficiaries also pay an IRMAA surcharge on top of the base premium.

When it takes effect

Retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI): January 2026 payment.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): the increase begins with the payment issued at the end of December 2025.

Disclaimer

Educational estimate using the announced 2.8% COLA and the SSA's round-down rule. Your actual deposit depends on Medicare premium deductions, tax withholding you elect, and any garnishment or offset. Check your SSA COLA notice for your exact 2026 amount.

Example: $2,000 monthly benefit

$2,000 × 1.028 = $2,056.00.

Round down to the next whole dollar → $2,056/month.

Increase = $56 per month.

Annual increase = $56 × 12 = $672 per year.

$2,056/month; +$56/month (+$672/year)

Frequently asked questions

What is the Social Security COLA for 2026?

The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%, announced by the SSA on October 24, 2025. It raises retirement, survivor, disability, and SSI benefits starting with the January 2026 payment (December 2025 for SSI).

How do I calculate my 2026 benefit?

Multiply your current monthly benefit by 1.028 and round down to the nearest whole dollar. For example, $2,000 × 1.028 = $2,056.00 → $2,056/month.

When does the 2026 COLA start?

For retirement, survivors, and disability benefits, the higher amount begins with the January 2026 payment. For SSI recipients, it starts with the payment issued at the end of December 2025.

Will Medicare reduce my COLA increase?

It can. The 2026 Part B premium ($202.90/month) is deducted from many benefits, so if the premium rises, your net raise is smaller. Higher-income beneficiaries also pay an IRMAA surcharge.

How is the 2.8% COLA determined?

It reflects the year-over-year change in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. The SSA uses this inflation measure to set the COLA each year.

Does the COLA apply to disability and survivor benefits?

Yes. The 2.8% COLA applies to all Social Security benefit types — retirement, SSDI, survivor, and SSI — not just retirement benefits.

Is the raise taxable?

Your total Social Security benefit may be partly taxable depending on your combined income, and the COLA increase is part of that benefit. Whether more of it is taxed depends on your other income for the year.

How much is the 2026 raise on an average benefit?

On a roughly $2,000 monthly benefit, 2.8% adds about $56 per month — around $672 per year. Larger benefits get a proportionally larger dollar increase.

Sources & references

Methodology & trust

Editorial

Finance calculator with its formula verified automatically against SSA — 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet, per our editorial policy and methodology.

Updates

Updated: July 2026. Parameters are verified periodically against the cited sources.

Privacy

Calculations run 100% in your browser. We do not store or transmit your data.

Limitations

Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.

📌 How to cite this calculator

Rodríguez, M. (2026). Social Security COLA 2026 Increase Calculator. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/en/social-security-cola-2026-increase-calculator

Content licensed under CC-BY 4.0 — reuse it citing the source with a link to Hacé Cuentas.

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