The 2026 COLA will increase SSDI payments, but the exact amount won't be announced until October 2025

Social Security announces the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) each October, based on inflation data from the third quarter of that year. The 2026 COLA — which takes effect in January 2026 — will be calculated using inflation figures from July, August, and September 2025. Until that announcement happens, no one knows the precise percentage increase.

What you will know: the increase applies automatically to your SSDI payment. You do not need to do anything, file anything, or contact Social Security. The higher amount will appear in your bank account or payment method starting with your January 2026 payment.

The COLA affects not only your own benefit but also any family members receiving benefits on your record — spouses, ex-spouses, and children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school). It also affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, though SSI has slightly different rules because it includes a resource limit.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA percentage will be announced in October 2025 and takes effect automatically in January 2026 with no action required from you.
  • The COLA is based on inflation measured from July through September 2025, so the amount depends on economic conditions over the next several months.
  • Your new payment amount will appear in your January 2026 deposit; you do not need to report it or contact Social Security.
  • Family members receiving benefits on your record will also receive the same percentage increase to their payments.
  • If you receive both SSDI and SSI, the SSI portion may be affected differently because of how SSI resource limits work.

How the 2026 COLA is calculated

Social Security uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to measure inflation. Specifically, it compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months of the previous year. If inflation has risen, the percentage increase becomes the COLA.

If inflation has fallen or stayed flat, there is no COLA increase — your payment stays the same. This has happened only three times since 1975: in 2010, 2011, and 2016. Most years see at least a small increase.

The formula is straightforward: if the CPI-W rose 3 percent from Q3 2024 to Q3 2025, the 2026 COLA would be 3 percent. Social Security does not round or adjust the figure — it uses the exact percentage calculated.

When you will see the increase in your payment

The 2026 COLA takes effect on January 1, 2026. If you receive direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your account on the third day of the month (or the next business day if the third falls on a weekend or holiday). If you receive a check, it will arrive by mail in early January with the new amount.

Your payment notice — the document showing your new benefit amount — will arrive in December 2025. This notice is important to keep because it shows the exact dollar increase and is useful if you need to update income information for other programs like Medicaid or housing information.

The increase applies to all future payments going forward. You will not receive a lump sum for the months between now and January 2026; the higher amount straightforward starts with the January payment.

How the COLA affects family members on your record

If your spouse, ex-spouse, or children receive benefits based on your work record, they receive the same percentage increase you do. For example, if your SSDI payment increases by 2.5 percent, so does theirs.

However, there is a family maximum — a cap on the total amount Social Security will pay to all family members combined on one person's record. When your payment increases, it may push the family total above the maximum, which means other family members' payments might be reduced slightly to stay within the limit. This is rare but can happen if multiple family members are receiving benefits.

If you are unsure whether a family maximum applies to your record, you can check your Social Security account online at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask.

What to expect if you also receive SSI

If you receive both SSDI and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), the COLA increase to your SSDI payment may affect your SSI payment. SSI has a resource limit — you cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources (the limit is $3,000 for couples). An increase in your SSDI payment does not count as a resource, so it does not push you over the limit.

However, SSI also has an income limit. If your SSDI increase causes your total monthly income to exceed the SSI income limit for your state, your SSI payment may be reduced or eliminated. The SSI income limit varies by state and changes each year, so the impact depends on your specific situation.

If you receive both benefits, Social Security will send you a notice explaining how the COLA affects your SSI payment. Read it carefully, because it will show whether your SSI amount changes and by how much.

How to find out the 2026 COLA before the official announcement

Social Security will announce the 2026 COLA on October 10, 2025. You can find the announcement on the official Social Security website (ssa.gov) or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Before October, you may see estimates from news outlets or financial websites based on inflation data released earlier in the year. These estimates can be useful for planning, but they are not official. The only number that matters is the one Social Security announces in October.

You can also check your Social Security account online at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your current payment amount and compare it to your January 2026 payment once the COLA takes effect.

What happens if you disagree with the COLA amount

The COLA is calculated by a formula set in federal law — it is not a decision made by a Social Security employee that you can appeal. The percentage increase is determined entirely by inflation data, and Social Security has no discretion to change it.

If you believe the inflation data itself is wrong, that is a question for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which calculates the CPI-W. Social Security straightforward applies the official figure. You cannot request a different COLA or a higher increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the 2026 COLA be higher or lower than 2025?

That depends on inflation between now and September 2025. If inflation rises, the 2026 COLA will likely be higher. If inflation falls, it will be lower. The 2025 COLA was 3.2 percent, but that does not predict 2026. You will know the exact figure in October 2025.

Do I need to report the COLA increase to other programs I receive?

Yes. If you receive Medicaid, housing information, food stamps (SNAP), or other means-tested programs, you should report the increase to those programs. The amount and timing vary by program, so contact each one directly. Your Social Security payment notice can help you document the change.

What if I'm working — does the COLA affect my earnings limit?

No. The COLA increases your benefit payment, but it does not change the amount you can earn without losing benefits. The earnings limit for 2025 is $23,400 per year; the 2026 limit will be announced in December 2025 and may increase slightly due to wage growth, but it is calculated separately from the COLA.

Can I opt out of the COLA increase?

No. The COLA is automatic and applies to all SSDI beneficiaries. You cannot choose to keep your old payment amount or defer the increase.

Will the COLA increase affect my Medicare premiums?

Possibly. If you pay Medicare Part B or Part D premiums, they may increase in 2026. However, Social Security has a "hold harmless" rule that protects most beneficiaries: your Part B premium cannot increase more than the amount of your COLA increase. This means your net payment (benefit minus premium) will not go down. New beneficiaries and higher-income beneficiaries may not receive this protection.