Millions of seniors are only a few months away from finding out how much larger their Social Security checks will be in 2026. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will officially announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on October 15, 2025.
Early predictions suggest the increase will be slightly above average, giving many retirees, survivors, and disability beneficiaries a welcome boost.
How Social Security Calculates COLA
The SSA bases each year’s COLA on inflation data. It uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to track cost changes.
It averages CPI-W numbers for July, August, and September 2025.
Then, it compares that figure to the same three months from 2024.
The percentage difference becomes the COLA for 2026.
This means everyone gets the same percentage increase, but those with bigger checks today will see a larger dollar increase.
Current Average Social Security Payments (July 2025)
| Benefit Type | Average Monthly Check |
|---|---|
| Retirement | $2,007 |
| Spousal | $954 |
| Survivor | $1,574 |
| Disability | $1,582 |
What the 2026 COLA Might Look Like
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), which has a strong track record for COLA predictions, currently estimates a 2.7% increase. That’s slightly higher than the 2.5% COLA in 2025 and above the 25-year average.
Here’s how that would look for common benefit amounts:
Retirement check of $2,007 → extra $54 per month
Spousal benefit of $954 → extra $26 per month
Survivor benefit of $1,574 → extra $43 per month
Disability benefit of $1,582 → extra $43 per month
If your check is higher than average, your increase will also be larger in dollars.
The new benefit amounts will apply to the December 2025 payments, which go out in January 2026. Personalized COLA notices will also be mailed in December 2025.
What If Your COLA Isn’t Enough?
Even with a boost, some retirees may find their COLA doesn’t keep pace with real costs. If that happens, consider:
Cutting expenses where possible
Using personal savings to fill the gap
Exploring part-time work for extra income
Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if eligible, which also receives a COLA and is supplemented by many states
Planning ahead will help make sure you’re covered when costs rise.
The 2026 Social Security COLA looks set to give seniors a bigger-than-average raise, with early estimates at 2.7%. While that means an extra $20–$60 per month for most recipients, higher earners will see even more.
The official announcement comes on October 15, 2025, giving retirees time to estimate their new checks and plan their budgets for the year ahead.
