2026 Social Security COLA: 2.8% official.
The official adjustment and the CPI-W quarter that produced it.
What that means in dollars.
On an illustrative $2,015 monthly gross benefit, this rate adds $56.42, for $2,071.42 before Medicare and withholding.
The starting amount is the SSA published 2026 pre-COLA average estimate, rounded in SSA’s fact sheet. Your benefit will differ.
The numbers behind the percentage.
| Reference month | CPI-W | Status |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | 316.349 | Official BLS observation |
| August 2025 | 317.306 | Official BLS observation |
| September 2025 | 318.139 | Official BLS observation |
The prior comparison quarter is 2024, with an average of 308.729. The complete average is 317.265.
(317.265 ÷ 308.729 − 1) × 100 = 2.8% after rounding.
A little historical perspective.
| Benefit year | COLA | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 0.0% | Official |
| 2017 | 0.3% | Official |
| 2018 | 2.0% | Official |
| 2019 | 2.8% | Official |
| 2020 | 1.6% | Official |
| 2021 | 1.3% | Official |
| 2022 | 5.9% | Official |
| 2023 | 8.7% | Official |
| 2024 | 3.2% | Official |
| 2025 | 2.5% | Official |
| 2026 | 2.8% | Official |
Questions, answered.
When will the 2026 COLA be announced?
SSA announced it on October 24, 2025.
When does the 2026 increase reach my payment?
A December benefit adjustment is generally reflected in Social Security payments in January. SSI January payments usually arrive in late December because January 1 is a holiday.
Can the COLA go below zero?
The statutory formula does not reduce benefits for a falling quarter. It uses the prior highest qualifying quarter; a later increase must exceed that benchmark.
Does the percentage equal my take-home increase?
No. Part B premiums, IRMAA and withholding can reduce the change in your net check. Enter your actual deductions in the increase calculator.
Is a partial-quarter estimate a forecast?
It is a provisional arithmetic comparison of published readings. It does not predict the missing month and can change when that month is released.
Check the sources.
Data checked October 1, 2026. Announced October 24, 2025.