Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) notices are mailed to beneficiaries in early December. For faster access, you can view your 2026 COLA notice online in the Message Center of your my Social Security account starting in late November.
If you receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you can view your COLA notice online with your personal my Social Security account starting in early December.
The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 takes effect in January 2026, meaning beneficiaries will see the 2.8% increase in their payments starting with the January checks, though some SSI payments are issued December 31, 2025. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced this in October 2025, and notices were mailed in December 2025, with online access available to those with a my Social Security account.
If you receive benefits or have a pending application, you can request that we mail you a benefit verification letter. We will mail your benefit verification letter within 10 business days to the address we have on file. Be sure to confirm or update your mailing address in your personal my Social Security account.
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 people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
The official 2026 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%, announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in October 2025, resulting in an average increase of about $56 monthly for retirees, though some forecasts had predicted slightly lower or higher figures based on inflation trends. This adjustment reflects the rise in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025.
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.
You should receive your paper Social Security Statement in the mail in four to six weeks. If you were unable to create or encountered a problem with your personal my Social Security account and you need in-person help, you must make an appointment with your local Social Security office.
Yes, seniors are getting a 2.8% raise in their Social Security benefits for 2026, a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) that went into effect in January 2026, increasing the average monthly payment by about $56, though concerns exist about how much of that increase will truly help due to rising costs and Medicare premiums. This adjustment helps benefits keep pace with inflation, though the formula's reliance on the CPI-W index is often criticized for not reflecting seniors' actual expenses.
You get two Social Security checks in December if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), not regular Social Security, because the January payment gets moved to late December (usually Dec 31) since January 1st (New Year's Day) is a federal holiday, resulting in a December 1st payment and a December 31st payment for January's benefits, with the later one often including the COLA increase.
When is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) paid? If a COLA is payable, we make the change in December of each year. You'll receive the adjusted payment in January, the following month.
You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don't have an account, you can create one at any time. It's easy, convenient, and secure. To set up your account, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and select, “Create an Account.”
Your COLA Notice
In late November 2025, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later.
The $1,000 a month rule is a retirement guideline suggesting you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 per month in desired income, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate (5% of $240k is $12k/year, or $1k/month). It's a simple way to set savings goals, but it doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, so it's best used as a starting point, not a complete plan.
The latest COLA is 2.8 percent for Social Security benefits and SSI payments. Social Security benefits will increase by 2.8 percent beginning with the December 2025 benefits, which are payable in January 2026. Federal SSI payment levels will also increase by 2.8 percent effective for payments made for January 2026.
Yes, Social Security recipients received a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, but the bigger news is that they are getting a larger 2.8% COLA for 2026, announced in October 2025, which began with January 2026 payments, increasing average benefits by about $56 per month. The 2025 COLA was a smaller 2.5% increase, while the 2026 adjustment reflects moderating inflation, leading to higher payments starting in the new year.
If Social Security isn't enough, you should supplement your income through other savings (401k, IRAs, brokerage accounts), explore government aid like SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid, consider working part-time, use programs like NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp to find assistance, potentially delay claiming benefits for a higher monthly payout, or look into annuities for guaranteed income.
Eligibility Criteria for Senior Stimulus Checks
Those who receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or veterans' benefits are also considered for stimulus payments, even if they do not file a tax return.