Social Security COLA Calculator

See how much your Social Security or SSI check will increase with the official 2.8% COLA for 2026.

Social Security and SSI benefits increase by 2.8% in 2026. Enter your current monthly benefit below to see your new amount, and how much more you'll receive per month and per year.

Every year, the Social Security Administration adjusts benefits to help keep pace with inflation. This is called the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. For 2026, that increase is 2.8%, based on how much prices rose according to a specific inflation measure the government tracks. Enter your current monthly benefit below to see your new amount.

2026 COLA: 2.8%

Calculate Your 2026 Increase

COLA is calculated by comparing average prices during the third quarter of the year (July, August, and September) to the same three months the year before, using a measure called the CPI-W. If prices went up, Social Security and SSI benefits go up by that same percentage the following January. For 2026, that figure is 2.8%, up slightly from 2.5% in 2025. The same percentage applies to everyone, whether you receive a retirement benefit, a survivor benefit, SSDI, or SSI, though the dollar amount naturally varies based on your starting benefit. SSA cited a typical example when announcing the 2026 COLA: a retired worker receiving $2,015 per month would see their benefit rise to $2,071, a $56 monthly increase. One thing worth knowing: a COLA increase doesn't always translate to the full amount landing in your pocket. Medicare Part B premiums are often deducted directly from Social Security payments, and if that premium rises in the same year, it can offset some or all of your COLA increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Social Security COLA for 2026?

2.8%, announced by the Social Security Administration based on the increase in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2024 through the third quarter of 2025.

How much will my Social Security check increase in 2026?

Your benefit increases by 2.8%, rounded down to the nearest dollar. The exact dollar amount depends on your current benefit — SSA's own example shows a typical retired worker benefit rising from $2,015 to $2,071 per month, a $56 increase.

Does COLA apply to SSI too?

Yes. The same 2.8% COLA applies to Supplemental Security Income payments as well as Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.

When does the 2026 COLA take effect?

For Social Security beneficiaries, the increase applies to benefits paid starting in January 2026. For SSI recipients, the increased payments began December 31, 2025.

How is the COLA percentage calculated each year?

SSA compares the average CPI-W for the third quarter (July, August, September) of the current year to the same period the previous year. If prices rose, benefits increase by that percentage the following January.

Does a COLA increase mean more money in my pocket overall?

Not always. Medicare Part B premiums, which are often deducted directly from Social Security checks, can rise in the same year and offset part or all of a COLA increase for some beneficiaries.

This calculator applies the official 2026 Social Security COLA of 2.8% to the benefit amount you enter and does not constitute financial advice. Your actual new benefit amount will be confirmed directly by the Social Security Administration through your online my Social Security account or by mail. Medicare premium changes and other deductions are not included in this estimate.