The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025

Social Security announces the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the following year each October. This means the 2026 raise for SSDI will be announced on October 10, 2025. You will not know the exact percentage until that date — it depends on inflation data collected through September 2025.

Once announced, the raise takes effect on January 1, 2026. Your first payment at the new rate arrives in February 2026 (since Social Security pays in the month after the benefit month). The raise applies automatically — you do not need to do anything to receive it.

The COLA percentage changes every year based on how much prices rose. Some years the raise is small, some years larger. There is no may provide minimum, and in rare years there has been no raise at all.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA percentage will be announced on October 10, 2025, and takes effect January 1, 2026.
  • The raise amount depends on inflation measured from October 2024 through September 2025.
  • Your payment increases automatically in February 2026 — you do not need to contact Social Security.
  • The raise applies to your full SSDI payment, including any family benefits if others receive payments on your record.

How the 2026 raise is calculated

Social Security calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This measures how much prices changed for everyday items like food, housing, transportation, and medical care. The government compares the average CPI-W from July, August, and September of 2025 to the same three months in 2024. The percentage difference becomes your 2026 raise.

This method means the raise reflects real inflation that happened during that specific period. If prices rose 3 percent, SSDI payments rise 3 percent. If prices fell, there would be no raise (though this has happened only three times since 1975).

You cannot predict the exact 2026 percentage now because inflation data from summer 2025 does not yet exist. Financial analysts make estimates, but the actual number will not be known until October 2025.

What the 2026 raise means for your payment

If you receive SSDI, your monthly payment will increase by whatever percentage is announced. For example, if the COLA is 2.5 percent and you currently receive $1,200 per month, your new payment would be approximately $1,230.

The raise also applies to any family members who receive benefits on your record — a spouse, ex-spouse, or children under 19 (or 22 if still in high school). Each person's payment increases by the same percentage.

If you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), that payment increases too, though SSI has different rules about how much you can receive and keep.

When you will see the 2026 raise in your account

Your first payment at the new rate arrives in February 2026. Social Security pays benefits in the month after the benefit month, so your January 2026 benefit (paid in February) will reflect the raise.

If you receive payments by direct deposit, the new amount appears in your bank account on your regular payment date in February. If you receive a check, it arrives by mail. If you use a representative payee (someone who manages your benefits for you), they receive the payment on your behalf.

You do not need to contact Social Security, submit forms, or take any action. The raise happens automatically for everyone receiving SSDI.

How past COLA raises compare

COLA percentages vary significantly year to year. Recent raises have ranged from 0 percent (2016 and 2017) to 8.7 percent (2023). The 2024 COLA was 3.2 percent, and the 2025 COLA is 3.2 percent as well.

Larger raises happen when inflation is higher. Smaller or zero raises happen when inflation is low or prices fall. There is no way to know in advance whether 2026 will be a year of higher or lower inflation, so the raise could be larger or smaller than recent years.

What to do if your payment seems wrong in February 2026

Check your payment amount when it arrives. It should be your current payment multiplied by the 2026 COLA percentage announced in October 2025. If the amount does not match what you expected, contact Social Security.

You can reach Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), by visiting your local Social Security office, or through your online account at ssa.gov. Have your Social Security number and recent payment information ready when you call.

Errors are rare, but they do happen. If Social Security made a mistake, they can correct it and send you any missing payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out the 2026 COLA before October 2025?

No. Social Security will not announce the official percentage until October 10, 2025. Financial analysts publish estimates before then, but these are guesses based on inflation data available at that time. The actual COLA depends on inflation figures from July through September 2025, which will not be finalized until October.

Will the 2026 raise 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 Medicare premium cannot increase more than your COLA raise. Some higher-income beneficiaries do not receive this protection and may see larger premium increases.

Does the COLA raise explore if I work while receiving SSDI?

Yes. The COLA applies to all SSDI beneficiaries regardless of work status. If you are working and your earnings are high enough to affect your benefits, that is a separate calculation from the COLA raise. The raise still increases your base payment amount.

What if I disagree with the 2026 COLA amount?

You cannot dispute the COLA percentage itself — it is set by law based on the CPI-W. However, if you believe Social Security calculated your individual payment incorrectly, you can contact them to review the math. Call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.