The 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%, and it is already included in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The increase began with Social Security benefits payable in January 2026, while increased SSI payments began with the December 31, 2025 payment.
As of September 2026, there is no additional or separate COLA increase scheduled for Social Security beneficiaries. The 2.8% adjustment is the full COLA for 2026. Any discussion about the next COLA concerns the 2027 adjustment, which will be announced later in 2026.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says the 2026 COLA applies to benefits for about 75 million Americans, including nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries and nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients.
Social Security COLA 2026: Key Facts
| 2026 Social Security detail | Official amount |
|---|---|
| 2026 COLA | 2.8% |
| Average retired worker benefit | $2,071/month |
| Average disabled worker benefit | $1,630/month |
| Average aged widow(er) benefit | $1,921/month |
| Average retired worker + aged spouse | $3,211/month |
| Maximum retirement benefit at full retirement age | $4,152/month |
| Maximum retirement benefit at age 62 | $2,969/month |
| Maximum retirement benefit at age 70 | $5,181/month |
| Maximum SSI payment — individual | $994/month |
| Maximum SSI payment — eligible couple | $1,491/month |
| SSI payment — essential person | $498/month |
| Social Security taxable maximum | $184,500 |
| Earnings limit under full retirement age | $24,480/year |
| Earnings limit in year reaching full retirement age | $65,160 |
| Credit needed for one Social Security work credit | $1,890 |
SSA’s official 2026 COLA fact sheet lists the 2.8% increase, the earnings limits, taxable maximum and average benefit amounts.
What Is the 2026 Social Security COLA?
The Social Security COLA is an annual adjustment intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation.
The COLA is determined under a formula established by law and uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The 2026 COLA was set at 2.8%.
The 2.8% increase was announced by the SSA on October 24, 2025.
It applies to:
- Social Security retirement benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Survivor benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The increase was automatic. Beneficiaries did not have to apply separately to receive it.
How Much Did Social Security Benefits Increase in 2026?
The exact increase depends on the individual’s benefit amount.
SSA estimates that the average monthly retirement benefit for a retired worker increased from about $2,015 before the COLA to $2,071 after the 2.8% adjustment. The actual amount a person receives can be different because Social Security benefits are based on individual earnings and claiming history.
Other official SSA estimates include:
| Benefit type | Before 2.8% COLA | After 2.8% COLA |
|---|---|---|
| Retired worker | $2,015 | $2,072 |
| Spouse of retired worker | $953 | $980 |
| Aged widow(er) | $1,869 | $1,921 |
| Disabled widow(er) | $955 | $981 |
| Disabled worker | $1,585 | $1,630 |
| Retired worker + aged spouse | $3,124 | $3,211 |
These are SSA estimates based on benefit data and are not guaranteed payment amounts for every beneficiary.
How to Calculate Your Own 2026 COLA Increase
For a simple estimate, multiply your benefit before the 2026 COLA by 0.028.
For example:
- $1,500 × 0.028 = $42 increase
- $2,000 × 0.028 = $56 increase
- $2,500 × 0.028 = $70 increase
- $3,000 × 0.028 = $84 increase
However, the actual payment you receive can differ because of Medicare premiums, taxes, overpayments, voluntary withholding or other deductions.
For the most accurate figure, beneficiaries should check their personal my Social Security account and benefit notice.
2026 SSI Payment Amounts
SSI is different from Social Security retirement or SSDI benefits. SSI is a needs-based federal program for people who meet the program’s income, resource and other eligibility requirements.
For 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment amounts are:
| SSI category | Maximum monthly federal amount |
|---|---|
| Eligible individual | $994 |
| Eligible couple | $1,491 |
| Essential person | $498 |
The maximum amounts can be lower depending on countable income and other circumstances. Some states also provide an additional SSI supplement.
The 2026 federal SSI amounts reflect the same 2.8% COLA.
September 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
The September 2026 payment schedule depends on the type of benefit and, for many Social Security beneficiaries, the beneficiary’s date of birth.
September 2026 Payment Dates
| Payment date | Who generally receives the payment |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2026 | SSI recipients |
| September 3, 2026 | Beneficiaries in the payment group scheduled for the 3rd of the month, including certain people who began receiving benefits before May 1997 and certain beneficiaries receiving both Social Security and SSI |
| September 9, 2026 | Social Security beneficiaries born on the 1st–10th |
| September 16, 2026 | Social Security beneficiaries born on the 11th–20th |
| September 23, 2026 | Social Security beneficiaries born on the 21st–31st |
The regular Wednesday schedule applies to many retirement, survivor and SSDI beneficiaries whose benefits began under the post-May 1997 payment system.
Payment schedules can have exceptions, so beneficiaries should check their individual payment information with SSA.
Why Was the August SSI Payment Made in July?
The August 2026 SSI payment was issued on July 31, 2026, because August 1 fell on a Saturday.
This does not mean SSI recipients received an extra payment. It was the regular August SSI payment issued early because the normal payment date fell on a weekend.
Therefore, there was no separate SSI payment during August itself. The next regular SSI payment was made on September 1, 2026.
Is There an Extra Social Security COLA Payment in September 2026?
No.
There is no separate “September COLA payment,” bonus COLA or additional 2026 COLA authorized by SSA.
The 2.8% COLA was already applied to 2026 benefits. Social Security retirement, survivor and SSDI recipients continue receiving their regular 2026 benefit amounts, subject to any individual changes or deductions. SSI recipients also receive their regular 2026 federal payment amounts, subject to their individual circumstances.
Claims that beneficiaries will receive an additional COLA simply because a payment arrives in September should therefore be treated cautiously.
Medicare Part B Premium and the 2026 COLA
For beneficiaries who have Medicare Part B premiums deducted from their Social Security benefits, the amount deposited into their bank account can be lower than expected after the COLA.
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month, compared with $185.00 in 2025.
That is an increase of $17.90 per month.
The 2026 Part B annual deductible is $283, up from $257 in 2025.
However, not everyone pays the standard Part B premium. Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries can pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA), resulting in a higher total Part B premium.
Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that every Social Security recipient will simply receive the 2.8% increase in their bank deposit.
2026 Social Security Taxable Maximum
Workers who pay Social Security taxes have a higher taxable maximum in 2026.
The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax is:
$184,500 in 2026
This increased from $176,100 in 2025. There is no maximum taxable amount for the Medicare portion of payroll taxes.
For 2026, the Social Security payroll tax rate remains 6.2% for employees and employers, while the self-employment tax rate for Social Security is 12.4%.
2026 Social Security Earnings Limits
People can work while receiving Social Security retirement benefits, but beneficiaries who have not reached full retirement age can be subject to the retirement earnings test.
For 2026:
If you are under full retirement age for the entire year
The earnings limit is:
$24,480
SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the limit.
If you reach full retirement age in 2026
The earnings limit is:
$65,160
SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above that amount, and only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age are counted under this test.
After reaching full retirement age
The retirement earnings test no longer applies. SSA states that beneficiaries can continue working and keep their Social Security benefits regardless of how much they earn after reaching full retirement age.
Social Security Work Credits in 2026
Workers earn Social Security credits based on their wages or self-employment income.
In 2026, workers earn:
1 credit for every $1,890 in covered earnings
A person can earn a maximum of four credits in 2026, requiring $7,560 in earnings for four credits.
The number of credits needed for benefits depends on the type of benefit and the person’s circumstances.
What Is the Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit in 2026?
There is no single maximum benefit that applies to everyone.
The maximum depends on the worker’s earnings history and the age at which benefits begin.
For a worker who earned the taxable maximum beginning at age 22 and claims in 2026, SSA gives these examples:
| Claiming age | Maximum monthly benefit in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Age 62 | $2,969 |
| Full retirement age | $4,152 |
| Age 70 | $5,181 |
These figures apply to a specific maximum-earnings scenario. Most beneficiaries receive less because their earnings history does not meet the maximum-earnings assumptions.
Social Security Trust Fund Outlook: What the 2026 Trustees Report Says
The long-term financial outlook should not be confused with the 2026 COLA.
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects that the combined Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) trust funds will have sufficient reserves to pay scheduled benefits in full and on time until 2034.
After the combined reserves are depleted, continuing program income would be sufficient to pay approximately 81% of scheduled benefits, based on the Trustees’ intermediate assumptions.
The OASI Trust Fund alone is projected to have sufficient reserves to pay full benefits until 2032, after which continuing income would be sufficient to pay about 78% of scheduled OASI benefits.
These are projections under current law, not a prediction that Social Security payments will stop in 2034. Legislative changes could alter the program’s finances.
What About the 2027 Social Security COLA?
As of September 2026, the 2027 COLA has not yet been officially announced.
The 2026 COLA was 2.8%. Any numbers circulating for the 2027 COLA before the official announcement are estimates or forecasts, not the final COLA.
SSA’s 2026 Trustees Report contains an estimated 2.4% COLA for 2027 under its intermediate assumptions, but this is not the official 2027 COLA. The actual COLA will be determined under the statutory formula using the applicable CPI-W data.
Therefore, readers should not report a forecast as a confirmed 2027 Social Security increase.
How to Check Your Exact Social Security Payment
The safest way to confirm your individual benefit amount is through your my Social Security account.
Your account can provide personalized information about your benefits and earnings record. SSA also provides benefit estimates based on your earnings history.
Beneficiaries should use official SSA services rather than relying on social-media posts or websites claiming that an additional federal payment has been approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an extra Social Security payment in September 2026?
No. September payments are regular scheduled Social Security or SSI payments. The 2026 COLA has already been incorporated into benefit amounts.
What is the Social Security COLA for 2026?
The 2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%.
How much is the average Social Security retirement benefit in 2026?
SSA estimates the average retired worker benefit at approximately $2,071 per month for January 2026.
What is the maximum SSI payment in 2026?
The maximum federal SSI payment is $994 per month for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple. An essential person can receive a maximum federal payment of $498.
What is the 2026 Medicare Part B premium?
The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, up from $185 in 2025.
What is the Social Security earnings limit in 2026?
The limit is $24,480 for someone under full retirement age throughout 2026. For someone reaching full retirement age during 2026, the limit is $65,160 for earnings before the month they reach full retirement age.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit at age 70 in 2026?
For a worker who earned the taxable maximum beginning at age 22 and claims benefits in 2026, SSA lists a maximum of $5,181 per month at age 70.
When was the 2026 COLA announced?
SSA announced the 2.8% 2026 COLA on October 24, 2025.
Will Social Security benefits receive another COLA in September 2026?
No. September 2026 payments do not include a second COLA. The 2026 adjustment was already applied earlier in the year.
The 2026 Social Security COLA is 2.8%, and that increase is already reflected in current Social Security and SSI payments.
For September 2026, beneficiaries should focus on their regular payment date and individual benefit amount, rather than expecting an additional COLA or stimulus-style payment.
The most important 2026 figures are:
- 2.8% COLA
- $2,071 average retired-worker benefit
- $1,630 average disabled-worker benefit
- $994 maximum federal SSI payment for an individual
- $1,491 maximum federal SSI payment for an eligible couple
- $202.90 standard Medicare Part B premium
- $184,500 Social Security taxable maximum
- $24,480 earnings limit for workers under full retirement age
- $65,160 earnings limit for people reaching full retirement age in 2026
- $5,181 maximum retirement benefit at age 70 under SSA’s maximum-earnings example
All of these figures should be considered in the context of the beneficiary’s individual circumstances. For an exact payment amount or payment date, the official SSA website and a beneficiary’s personal account are the best sources.
