The 2026 COLA will be 2.6 percent

Social Security announced in October 2025 that the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.6 percent. This means that starting in January 2026, SSDI monthly payments will increase by 2.6 percent from their 2025 amounts.

The 2.6 percent figure is lower than the 2025 COLA of 3.2 percent and significantly lower than the 8.7 percent increase that took effect in 2023. The adjustment reflects the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) measured from the third quarter of 2024 through the third quarter of 2025.

This is an automatic adjustment. You do not need to do anything to receive it. If you are receiving SSDI, your payment will straightforward increase in January 2026 unless you have already reached the family maximum benefit (a cap on total benefits paid to your household).

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA is 2.6 percent, meaning your January 2026 SSDI payment will be 2.6 percent higher than your December 2025 payment.
  • The COLA applies automatically to all SSDI beneficiaries; you do not need to report anything or take any action.
  • If your household receives multiple SSDI payments, the family maximum may prevent some members from receiving the full increase.
  • Your Medicare Part B premium may also change in 2026, which could offset part of your COLA increase.
  • The COLA is based on inflation data and changes year to year; 2.6 percent is lower than recent years but reflects current economic conditions.

What the 2.6 percent increase means in dollars

The dollar amount of your increase depends on your current payment. If you receive $1,000 per month in 2025, your 2026 payment will be approximately $1,026. If you receive $1,500 per month, your 2026 payment will be approximately $1,539.

Social Security will send you a notice in December 2025 showing your exact new payment amount. You can also log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov starting in mid-December to see your 2026 payment before it arrives.

The increase is modest compared to inflation in some categories (groceries, housing, utilities), but it is the adjustment Social Security calculates based on the specific inflation measure it uses. The CPI-W does not weight all expenses equally; it reflects the spending patterns of urban wage earners and clerical workers, not all beneficiaries.

How the COLA affects your other benefits and costs

If you are receiving both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both payments will increase by 2.6 percent. The SSI federal benefit rate for 2026 will also rise, though individual SSI payments depend on your state's supplementary payment (if your state offers one).

Your Medicare Part B premium may also change in 2026. Social Security holds harmless most beneficiaries age 65 and older, meaning your Part B premium cannot increase by more than your COLA increase. However, if you are under 65 and receiving SSDI, you are not held harmless, and your Part B premium could increase more than your COLA.

If you are on Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage), your premium and cost-sharing amounts may also change. Check your plan's 2026 notice of change, which insurers must send by October 15 each year.

The family maximum and why some household members may not see the full increase

Social Security imposes a family maximum on total benefits paid to one worker's family. The family maximum is typically 150 to 180 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). If your household is already at or near the family maximum, not everyone will receive the full 2.6 percent increase.

When the COLA takes effect, Social Security recalculates all family members' benefits and applies the increase. If the total would exceed the family maximum, Social Security reduces each family member's payment proportionally so the household total does not exceed the cap. This means your payment might increase by less than 2.6 percent, or a spouse's or child's payment might increase by less than 2.6 percent, depending on how close your household is to the maximum.

You can find your family maximum on your Social Security statement or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you think your household is affected, ask Social Security to explain how the 2026 COLA will be applied to each family member.

Why the COLA is lower in 2026 than in recent years

The COLA is determined by inflation, specifically the change in the CPI-W from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. In 2023 and 2024, inflation was high, producing COLAs of 8.7 percent and 3.2 percent. In 2025 and 2026, inflation has moderated, resulting in a 3.2 percent COLA for 2025 and 2.6 percent for 2026.

This does not mean prices are falling. It means the rate at which prices are rising has slowed. Groceries, rent, and utilities remain more expensive than they were before 2022, but they are not rising as quickly as they did in 2022 and 2023.

The COLA formula is set by law and cannot be changed by Social Security or Congress without legislation. Social Security straightforward calculates the increase based on the CPI-W data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When you will see the increase in your bank account

The 2026 COLA takes effect on January 1, 2026. Your first payment at the new rate will arrive in your bank account or by check in January 2026, depending on your payment schedule. Most SSDI beneficiaries receive payments on the third of each month, but some receive payments on the 11th or 21st depending on their birth date.

Social Security will mail your notice of your new payment amount in December 2025. If you do not receive a notice or if the amount shown is incorrect, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

Planning for 2026 with the 2.6 percent increase

A 2.6 percent increase is modest and may not keep pace with your actual expenses if you spend heavily on healthcare, housing, or utilities. Consider reviewing your budget in December 2025 to see whether the increase covers your rising costs or whether you need to explore other resources.

If you are working or considering work, remember that SSDI has work incentives that let you earn money without losing your entire benefit. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) can help you keep more of your earnings. These rules do not change with the COLA, but they are worth reviewing if your financial situation is tight.

If you are receiving SSI in addition to SSDI, the 2.6 percent increase to your SSDI payment may affect your SSI payment, since SSI counts SSDI as income. Contact Social Security to understand how your total benefits will change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get the 2.6 percent increase?

No. The COLA is automatic. Your payment will increase in January 2026 unless your household is at the family maximum. You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing your new amount.

Will my Medicare Part B premium go up by more than 2.6 percent?

If you are 65 or older, Social Security holds your Part B premium harmless, so it cannot increase by more than your COLA. If you are under 65 and receiving SSDI, you are not held harmless, and your premium could increase more than 2.6 percent. Check your Medicare notice in October 2025 for your 2026 premium.

What if I think my payment increase is wrong?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Bring your December 2025 notice showing your new payment amount. Social Security can explain how the COLA was applied to your specific situation, especially if your household is at the family maximum.

Does the COLA increase affect my work incentives or earnings limit?

The COLA does not change the work incentive rules themselves, but it does increase the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for 2026. The SGA limit is the amount of monthly earnings that Social Security considers "work." The 2026 SGA limit will be announced in late 2025. Higher SGA means you can earn more before Social Security reviews your work activity.

If I'm on SSI and SSDI, will both payments go up?

Yes. Both your SSDI and SSI payments will increase by 2.6 percent in January 2026. However, because SSI counts SSDI as income, your SSI payment may decrease if your SSDI increase pushes your total income above the SSI limit. Contact Social Security to understand your specific situation.