Key Benefit Numbers for Seniors
Every headline figure our calculators use, in one place. Each one links to the agency that publishes it.
Government benefit amounts and limits change every year. Social Security announces its cost-of-living adjustment in October. Medicare premiums usually follow in the fall. VA rates follow the Social Security increase, and the federal poverty guidelines come out in January.
This page shows the figures in effect now. When an agency announces next year's numbers, we check them against the official source and add them here. Until then, the "Next year" column says what we're waiting for. We never estimate a number before it's announced.
Social Security and SSI
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) | 2.8% 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| Maximum earnings taxed by Social Security | $184,500 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| PIA formula: first bend point (monthly) | $1,286 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| PIA formula: second bend point (monthly) | $7,749 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| SSI federal payment: individual (monthly) | $994 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October (FBR), January (FPL) |
www.ssa.gov |
| SSI federal payment: couple (monthly) | $1,491 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October (FBR), January (FPL) |
www.ssa.gov |
| Substantial gainful activity (SGA), non-blind (monthly) | $1,690 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| Substantial gainful activity (SGA), blind (monthly) | $2,830 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
| Trial work period: month counts if you earn over | $1,210 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: mid-October |
www.ssa.gov |
Run your own numbers with our Social Security calculators.
Medicare
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B standard premium (monthly) | $202.90 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.medicare.gov |
| IRMAA starts above: single filer income | $109,000 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.medicare.gov |
| IRMAA starts above: married filing jointly income | $218,000 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.medicare.gov |
| Part D maximum deductible | $615 2026 |
$700 2027 |
www.medicare.gov |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 2026 |
$2,400 2027 |
www.medicare.gov |
| Part A skilled nursing coinsurance, days 21 to 100 (daily) | $217 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.medicare.gov |
| Extra Help income limit: individual (monthly) | $2,015 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: fall |
www.ssa.gov |
| Extra Help resource limit: individual | $16,590 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: fall |
www.ssa.gov |
| QMB income limit: individual (monthly) | $1,350 2026 |
Added once announced | www.medicare.gov |
| Medicare Savings Program resource limit: individual | $9,950 2026 |
Added once announced | www.medicare.gov |
Run your own numbers with our Medicare calculators.
Medicaid long-term care
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home income limit (special income level, monthly) | $2,982 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: November |
www.medicaid.gov |
| Community spouse resource allowance: minimum | $32,532 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: November |
www.medicaid.gov |
| Community spouse resource allowance: maximum | $162,660 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: November |
www.medicaid.gov |
| Spousal income allowance (MMMNA) maximum (monthly) | $4,066.50 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: November |
www.medicaid.gov |
Run your own numbers with our Medicaid calculators.
Veterans
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA pension maximum: veteran alone (yearly) | $17,441 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: after the SSA COLA, usually November to December |
www.va.gov |
| VA pension with Aid and Attendance: veteran alone (yearly) | $29,093 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: after the SSA COLA, usually November to December |
www.va.gov |
| VA pension net worth limit | $163,699 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: after the SSA COLA, usually November to December |
www.va.gov |
Run your own numbers with our VA benefits calculators.
Taxes
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction: single | $16,100 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.irs.gov |
| Standard deduction: married filing jointly | $32,200 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.irs.gov |
| Extra standard deduction at 65+: single or head of household | $2,050 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.irs.gov |
| Extra standard deduction at 65+: married, per person | $1,650 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November |
www.irs.gov |
| Senior bonus deduction, per person (2025 to 2028) | $6,000 2026 |
Not announced yet Expected: October to November (amounts fixed by statute through 2028, confirm) |
www.irs.gov |
Run your own numbers with our tax benefit calculators.
Income limits for assistance
| Figure | Current | Next year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal poverty guideline: 1 person (48 states and DC, yearly) | $15,960 2026 |
Added once announced | aspe.hhs.gov |
| Federal poverty guideline: 2 people (48 states and DC, yearly) | $21,640 2026 |
Added once announced | aspe.hhs.gov |
| SNAP maximum benefit: 1 person (monthly) | $306 FY2027 (Oct 2026 - Sep 2027) |
Added once announced | www.fns.usda.gov |
| SNAP net income limit: 1 person (monthly) | $1,330 FY2027 (Oct 2026 - Sep 2027) |
Added once announced | www.fns.usda.gov |
Run your own numbers with our FPL benefits screener.
How we keep these numbers current
Each figure lives in one data file that both this page and our calculators read, so they always match. A new year's figure goes live only after we've checked it against the official source. Read more about our editorial methodology and the full list of data sources.
Sources
- Social Security Administration: Cost-of-Living Adjustment
- Social Security Administration: Benefit formula bend points
- Social Security Administration: SSI federal payment amounts
- Social Security Administration: Substantial gainful activity
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
- Social Security Administration: Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicaid.gov: Spousal impoverishment
- VA.gov: Veterans Pension rates
- IRS Publication 501: Standard deduction
- IRS: Working Families Tax Cuts (enhanced deduction for seniors)
- HHS ASPE: Poverty guidelines
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service: SNAP eligibility
Last reviewed: October 1, 2026, by James Anderson.
This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Benefit rules change and can depend on your situation, so confirm with the agency that runs the program before you act. Read our full disclaimer. SeniorGovBenefits.com is not affiliated with any government agency. We may show ads, but advertisers never affect our figures or reviews. See our advertising disclosure.