Social Security Sets Cost-of-Living Increase. Here’s How Much It Will Go Up

NEED TO KNOW

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8% in 2026

Social Security retirement benefits are set to increase by about $56 per month, on average, starting in January

The announcement followed the release of September 2025 inflation data, which showed an acceleration in price increases compared to the year prior

Social Security beneficiaries will notice a change to their benefits next year.

On Friday, Oct. 24, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8% in 2026.

Social Security retirement benefits are set to increase by about $56 per month, on average, starting in Janua