WASHINGTON — Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 2.8% cost-of-living increase to their monthly checks beginning in January, the Social Security Administration announced Friday .

This year's announcement for the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, was delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown. It was initially supposed to be announced nine days earlier on Oct. 15.

The 2026 COLA for retirees translates to an average increase of about $56 per month, agency officials said.

How much will social security increase in 2026?

While agency officials put the 2026 increase at about $56, The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group for seniors , said on average, retired workers’ Social Security checks will increase by $54 from $2,008 to $2,062 starting Jan. 1, 2026.

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