The 2026 SSDI raise has not yet been announced

Social Security announces the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in October of each year, and the 2026 raise will be announced in October 2025. Until that announcement, no one knows the exact dollar amount you will receive. The raise takes effect on January 1 of the following year, so any 2026 COLA will show up in your January 2026 payment.

The COLA is calculated using inflation data from the third quarter of the year — July, August, and September. The Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to measure how much prices have risen since the previous year's COLA was set. If inflation is higher, the COLA is higher. If inflation is lower or flat, the COLA is lower or zero.

You do not need to do anything to receive the raise. If you are on SSDI, the new amount will be deposited automatically into your account starting in January 2026, whether you applied for it or not.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and will take effect on January 1, 2026.
  • The raise is based on inflation measured between July and September 2025, which has not yet occurred.
  • You receive the raise automatically — you do not need to contact Social Security or take any action.
  • The COLA affects your monthly SSDI payment, your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment if you receive it, and your Medicare premiums.

How the 2026 COLA will be calculated

Social Security uses a specific formula to turn inflation data into a percentage raise. The agency measures the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) in the third quarter — July, August, and September — and compares it to the same three months from the previous year. The percentage increase becomes your COLA.

For example, if the CPI-W in July–September 2025 is 5 percent higher than it was in July–September 2024, the 2026 COLA would be 5 percent. If inflation has slowed and the index is only 2 percent higher, the COLA would be 2 percent. If prices have fallen or stayed flat, the COLA is zero — you do not receive a raise, but your payment does not decrease either.

This calculation is set by federal law and does not change. Social Security does not decide whether you "deserve" a raise or whether the government can afford it. The formula runs automatically based on the inflation data.

When you will see the 2026 raise in your account

Your January 2026 SSDI payment will include the raise. If you receive your payment by direct deposit, the new amount will arrive on your usual payment date in January. If you receive a check, it will be mailed according to your normal schedule and will show the higher amount.

You will also receive a notice from Social Security in December 2025 or early January 2026 that explains your new payment amount and the COLA percentage. Keep this notice for your records — you may need it for tax purposes or to report to other programs.

If you are on both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both payments will increase. If you receive Medicare, your Part B and Part D premiums may change as well, though the premium increase is often smaller than the COLA itself.

What affects whether you get the full raise

Most SSDI recipients receive the full COLA. However, a small number of people may not. If you are subject to the Government Pension Offset or the Windfall Elimination Provision — rules that reduce Social Security benefits for people who also receive a government pension — your raise may be reduced or eliminated. These rules are rare and explore mainly to people who worked for a federal, state, or local government and did not pay Social Security taxes on that job.

If you have questions about whether these rules affect you, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213. They can tell you whether your COLA will be reduced and by how much.

Your SSDI payment can also be reduced if you are working and earning above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit. If your work income is high enough, Social Security may suspend your benefits entirely during the months you earn too much. The COLA still applies to your benefit amount, but you may not receive a payment that month if your earnings are too high.

How to find out the 2026 COLA before October

You cannot know the exact 2026 COLA before October 2025 because it depends on inflation data that has not yet been collected. However, you can watch for the announcement on the official Social Security website (ssa.gov) starting in early October 2025. Social Security posts the COLA announcement prominently and sends notices to all beneficiaries shortly after.

Some news outlets and financial websites publish predictions based on inflation trends, but these are estimates only. The actual COLA is determined by the official CPI-W data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Social Security's calculation is final.

If you want to plan ahead, you can look at recent COLA history: the 2025 COLA was 3.2 percent, the 2024 COLA was 8.5 percent, and the 2023 COLA was 8.7 percent. These numbers show how much inflation has varied year to year, but they do not predict 2026.

What to do if your January 2026 payment is wrong

If your January 2026 payment does not match the COLA amount that Social Security announced, or if you believe an error has been made, contact Social Security within 30 days. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account on ssa.gov to message Social Security directly.

Have your Social Security number, your notice from Social Security showing the new payment amount, and your bank statement or payment record ready when you contact them. Explain what amount you expected to receive and what you actually received. Social Security can review your account and correct any errors.

Do not assume the payment is correct just because it arrived. If the amount does not match what you were told, it is worth checking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a higher COLA or appeal the 2026 raise?

No. The COLA is set by federal law and is the same for all SSDI recipients. You cannot request a higher amount or appeal it. The only exception is if Social Security made a calculation error on your specific account, which is rare.

Will the 2026 COLA affect my SSI payment or my Medicare premiums?

Yes. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your payment will increase by the same COLA percentage. If you are on Medicare, your Part B premium may increase, though the increase is often smaller than the COLA itself. Your Part D prescription drug premium may also change.

What if I am working — do I still get the COLA?

You receive the COLA to your benefit amount, but if your work earnings are high enough, Social Security may suspend your payment that month under the substantial gainful activity rule. The raise still applies to your benefit; you just may not receive a payment if you earn too much.

How do I know if the Government Pension Offset affects my 2026 raise?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether you are subject to the Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision. These rules are rare and explore mainly to people who worked for a government employer and did not pay Social Security taxes on that job.

When exactly will I see the 2026 COLA in my account?

Your January 2026 SSDI payment will include the raise. If you receive direct deposit, it will arrive on your normal payment date in January. If you receive a check, it will be mailed on your normal schedule. Social Security will send you a notice in December 2025 or early January 2026 showing your new payment amount.