Prices keep climbing, and the cost of living will soon bring a bit of relief for millions of retirees. The Social Security Administration is preparing another benefit increase for 2026, with average checks expected to go up once again.
The boost comes from the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), a mechanism tied to inflation. Analysts say next year’s raise will land around 2.7%, slightly above the 2.5% bump from 2025 — enough for many retirees to finally see their monthly payments break the $2,100 mark.
Prices and inflation drive the new Social Security adjustment
Every fall, the government reviews inflation data through the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) to adjust Social Security benefits. It’s how the system tries to keep up with rising prices for essentials like food, rent, and gas.
This year, the adjustment carries extra weight after months of stubborn inflation. Even a few extra dollars a month can make a difference for those living mainly on fixed income.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) plans to release the official COLA figure on Friday, October 24, following a brief data delay linked to the federal shutdown. The higher payments will begin showing up in January 2026.
How much more money will retirees actually get?
According to SSA estimates, the average retirement check currently sits near $2,008. A 2.7% raise would bring that to roughly $2,062 per month, or about $54 extra.
Retirees with higher lifetime earnings could pass the $2,100 line, while couples might see joint deposits of $3,400 to $3,600. Someone receiving $1,400 today would gain around $38 a month — adding up to roughly $500 more per year. Social Security payments follow a staggered schedule based on birth date:
Birth dates
- 1st–10th → paid the second Wednesday of each month
- 11th–20th → third Wednesday
- 21st–31st → fourth Wednesday
That means some retirees will notice their larger checks as early as January 8, 2026, while others will get theirs later in the month. SSI recipients continue receiving payments on the first day of each month.
To confirm your exact date, log into your my Social Security account or check your bank’s notification alerts.
What this means for Americans on fixed income
Even though a 2.7% increase might sound modest, it’s part of a broader trend: benefits rising faster than usual due to persistent price pressure. With more than 72 million people collecting Social Security, that small percentage adds up to billions in additional income across the economy.
Still, experts warn that inflation isn’t easing as fast as expected. For many seniors, that means the COLA adjustment will help but not fully close the gap with rising prices for groceries, housing, and medical bills.