Government shutdown could delay Social Security COLA announcement

(NewsNation) — The government shutdown won't stop retirees from receiving their Social Security checks, but it could delay a highly anticipated announcement about next year's benefits.

The cost-of-living-adjustment for 2026 is set to be announced this month, but the Social Security Administration needs September's inflation data to finalize the change.

That's a problem because the Bureau of Labor Statistics — which produces monthly inflation reports — has suspended operations during the shutdown, according to the Labor Department's contingency plan.

"A delay of the CPI release during October of each year might have an impact on the Cost of Living Adjustment announcement by the Social Security Administration," the agency noted in the plan.

The key inflation report is scheduled for Oct.