Will All Retirees Get a COLA Increase in 2026? Here’s What to Expect

As 2026 approaches, one of the most common questions from retirees is simple: “Will I get a Social Security raise next year?”

The answer: Yes, all retirees collecting Social Security will receive a COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment). But how much that raise actually helps your wallet may depend on rising costs, especially for Medicare premiums and everyday expenses.

What the 2026 COLA Means for You

The Social Security Board of Trustees projects a 2.7% COLA increase for 2026.

That means the average monthly benefit could rise from $2,007 in 2025 to about $2,061 in January 2026, roughly an extra $54 per month or $648 for the year.

This boost applies to:

• Retired workers

• Spousal or survivor benefit recipients

• Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries

Everyone qualifies, but the impact varies. Since the COLA is a percentage-based increase, retirees with higher benefits receive a bigger dollar raise. For example:

• A retiree earning $1,500/month gets about $40.50 more

• Someone earning the maximum benefit could see around $137.92 more

The Bigger Picture for 2026 Retirees

In addition to the COLA, other Social Security changes are coming:

• The full retirement age (FRA) continues to gradually increase.

• The taxable earnings cap — the maximum income subject to Social Security tax — will rise again.

These shifts don’t affect the COLA directly, but they do shape the overall financial landscape for both retirees and current workers.
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