The Social Security Administration has announced the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026.
Social Security recipients will get a cost of living increase of 2.8%.
The PRESS RELEASE states:
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025.
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some recipients receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
Social Security begins notifying recipients about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Those who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. You can set up text or email alerts when a new message–such as your COLA notice–is available in your my Social Security account.
For management staff, be sure to apply the COLA to benefits for the appropriate number of months based on the effective date of the certification.
Example:
Mrs. Smith would like to move in on November 1, 2025. Her 2025 gross Social Security monthly amount is $1,050. You will calculate her Social Security income as follows:
$1,050 x 2 = $2,100 (November and December 2025)
$1,050 x 0.028 = $1,079.40 (2026 monthly amount)
$1,079.40 x 10 = $10,794.00 (January to October 2026)
$2,100 + $10,794.00 = $12,894.00 (12 months)
If you have already processed files for move-in during January 2026, it is recommended that you review the household income and apply the COLA to benefits issued by the Social Security Administration since it is a known anticipated change in income.
